Tarte's Swamp Queen Pallet Looks

For my birthday I got the Tarte GRAV3YARDGIRL Swamp Queen Eye & Cheek Pallet. Check her out on Youtube she's kind of awsome. Anyone who can catch gators and do killer make up is ok in my book. Anyway I'm in love with this pallet which you have to get in store at Sephora or Ulta and they are extremely limited but really awesome. It has 9 eye shadows that range from bronzy oranges to mauve purples, a strong bronzer, a lovely blush (although the shape makes application tricky), and a high lighter. I tired out her day and night look and here's how it turned out.

Day Look

The day look uses both the bronzes and a little mauve. I liked the look but because her skin is so pale it has a little different look on my tanner skin. I really felt it needed a black liner to make my brown eyes pop. the brush it comes with is ok but I ended up switching to my smahsbox eye shadow brushes. Overall I think it was a perfect daytime look and I love that this pallet has all the cheek and eye colors I need.

To complete this look I wore to my sister's wedding party on Saturday I also used the following products:

To prime: Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Argan Oil and Coconut Water Primer (smells kind of musty but I like it and it feels refreshing) then I applied NYX Pore Filler over top.

Eyes: I started with Too Faced Shadow Insurance then I followed the Swamp Queen Day look directions but I added Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum to my top lashes. For my eyelashes I started with Lancome Cils Booster XL Enhancing Mascara Base to prime and followed it up with Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Statement Mascara. I used NYX Tame and Frame Tinted Brow Pomade on my eyebrows. (note the photo is not the same mascara)

Face:  First I did my dark circle trick (directions here) but I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer instead of the e.l.f.. I used Tarte Hybrid Gel Foundation (I love this foundation it is so natural looking and you don't need a lot of product, make sure you blend well). After applying bronzer around my forehead, on my temples, on the sides of my nose, under my cheekbones and along my jaw bone, highlighter above my cheekbones, and blush on the apples of my cheek from the pallet I finished with Make Up Forever Microfinish Powder. The bronzer is strong use sparingly, the blush is tricky to get on a fat round brush but the color is awesome.

Lips: I started by applying e.l.f. Matte Lip Color in TEA ROSE and followed it with e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in NICELY NUDE.

Night Look 

The night look was very pretty but even more so then the day look it did not have the same impact on my dark skin and eyes as it does on Grav3YardGirl. But it worked well for my birthday dinner look. I'd probably add black eyeliner next time.

To complete this look I used the following products:

To prime: The same as the day look.

Eyes: The same as the day look. (note the photo is not the same mascara)

Face: Instead of my tired and true Tarte Gel I tested out a new foundation Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin ($13). Some people say this compares to Estee Lauder's Double Wear ($40) for all day coverage. The verdict is still out on all day but it did last the 4 hours of dinner. Unlike most cheaper formulas it didn't require a quarter sized drop of product but more like a nickle so I liked that. I blended it with NYX Honey Dew Me Up on a soft blending sponge. I added color just like the day look and finished with Urban Decay DeSlick.

Lips: I lined my lips with NYX Slim Lip Pencil in ESPRESSO and then covered my whole lip in NYX Soft Matte Cream in COPENHAGEN.

Overall I think both of these looks turned out well and I look forward to trying more.