Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Daily Exposure

The very first time I stepped inside a Sephora during my trip to New York in September, I managed to restrict myself to three things. (I would step inside Sephora a few more times before departing the US, but at least I attempted to be selective initially.) NARS Sheer Glow. Benefit Go TropiCORAL Lip & Cheek Kit, an impulse buy. And Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed. I'd ardently lusted after Exposed for months, but with the unavailability of Tarte in Australia and not wanting to resort to eBay, it was out of my reach. The moment that I finally saw it with my eyes, I couldn't grab it from the shelf fast enough.








l-r: Tarte Exposed, Illamasqua Naked Rose, Benefit Dallas

l-r: NARS Douceur, Illamasqua Zygomatic, Tarte Exposed


I'm not sure if this is true of all Tarte blushes, but I could barely get any pigment on my finger when I tried to swatch Exposed. Either the surface has hardened on the one I have, or they're all like that. In contrast, the one Illamasqua powder blush I have (Naked Rose) is ultra smooth, very finely milled and packed with pigment. I was surprised to find the Tarte was noticeably drier in texture. I almost just want to get a cotton bud and scratch the surface all over, just to see if that makes a difference in releasing pigment and making it softer.

Having said that, Exposed fares better when applied with a brush. I don't get the same issues in needing to swipe several times just to get a decent arm swatch. The soft, neutral pink colour pulls slightly red on me, but overall I like the brightening, natural flush that it gives. The pigmentation isn't overly strong, which I prefer, as I find very pigmented blushes tend to look ruddy and obvious on my cheeks. Exposed is one of those reliable, everyday shades that you can reach for in the mornings without thought. It's a tad easier to wear than NARS Douceur because it's less brown, though it's a little too red to be used primarily to sculpt the face.

Does it wear for 12 hours? Not that I've experienced. If I use this in the morning, I don't really see much of it left on my cheeks at the end of the day, though I do try to apply blush relatively sparingly so I can understand if it's faded after several hours. In terms of lasting power, I think NARS performs the best of the blushes I've tried. I marginally prefer Douceur to Exposed, but the two are similar enough to someone not obsessed with makeup that one or the other will do. But really, if you love blush, you probably already have both.

40 comments:

  1. Utterly gorgeous!!! It's on my wish list. :)

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  2. Looks so pretty against your skin, xoxo.

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  3. What a beautiful and natural colour ^^ Too bad the product itself isn't what you were expecting it to be, I mean, come on! after all the rave reviews all tarte blushes has anyone would be expecting them to be awesome. Maybe all the 'reviewers' are just caving into the pressure of liking the brand. I like and trust your honest opinions, especially because for some of us many of the hyped brands are an investment rather than a necessity and I really dislike wasting my hard earned money on stuff that isn't worth it.
    Men, that Illamasqua Zygomatic blush sure is beautiful!!!
    xx

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  4. This is pretty but I like the swatch of Naked Rose better :)
    x

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  5. I've checked this one out at the store a few times but I had the same issue that it was pulling red on me! I love the nars one though and find brown based look better on me. Your swatches and photos are amazing btw!

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  6. Im not the biggest fan of blushes but I love how this one looks on you very natural. I wish Tarte was available here in Australia I would love to try their Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara
    :)

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  7. Love the colour, looks great on your skin. I´ve never tried any Tarte products, they look great, the packaging is very cute, but after your review, I´m sticking to Nars!

    http://mymakeupcompulsion.blogspot.com.es/

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  8. That's too bad that the formula and payoff isn't too amazing. I absolutely am in love with the shade though...but I'm not too sure if itd show up on my now slightly tan skin! Nars is in singapore but so expensive! I probably won't be getting anything soon! Great swatches!

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  9. A beautiful shade! What a shame that it was hard to pick up the pigment of the blush- I would have expected Tarte to have a nice formula, but like you said, who knows if it was just yours that behaved like that or not. Exposed looks quite brown in the pan however when you swatch it against the other shades it definitely looks quite coral and pink like!

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  10. I have this shade sitting in my drawer untouched. I have to try it soon! :P You were so convincing in your post about NARS Douceur that I was contemplating whether having both was necessary; thankfully it's not. That's disappointing that swatching the product didn't come about too easily; I've read so many rave reviews about how the pigmentation of Tarte blushes was amazing. I'll have to see what mine is like! xx

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  11. I want to try a Tarte blush so badly. This does look lovely on you!!! It's a shame it doesn't pick up colour as easily as you would want though :( I hate it when things like that happen.

    xoxo

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  12. I love these Tarte blushes :) That color really enhances your skin! This would be a great color for fair girls that want to contour :)

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  13. I own 2 Tarte blushes now (Exposed and Blushing Bride) and while they don't last 12 hours on me (I didn't expect them to anyways) they are really buttery soft (Illamasqua or NARS soft) and swatch easily with my fingers. You could have gotten a hardened one like you said. It happened to me with an Illamasqua eyeshadow once. I returned it and the new one was perfect. x

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  14. I had the same issue as you- Exposed looked a little too ruddy on my skintone. I do love the tarte blushes though! Bliss and Dollface are fantastic options for more traditional pink/ peach colors.

    NARS Madly might be just what you were looking for though! It's a very similar color to Exposed, but on me it remains more bronzey than red-toned once applied

    xx Louise
    A Little Beauty Luxury

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  15. It is a very pretty blush, but it's a shame it does not last long in your cheeks. It really is fairly neutral color.

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  16. This is such a pretty blush on you and just sitting in the pan! The packaging is definitely right up my street :)

    Aimée xx
    dress-it-up-6.blogspot.co.uk

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  17. This looks beautiful - I've been eyeing Tarte blushes for a while now and I think you've just pushed me over the edge! ;)

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  18. YAY I was hoping you'd post about this soon! The hardened surface is so disappointing! I'm about to get my hands on this... and I hope mine is okay. :D It's surprising that it pulls red on you, seeing as it's touted as a pink-mauve-brown nude blush. It's still beautiful though! I decided that I would buy it after seeing the swatch in the NARS Douceur post. Hehe you enabler.
    I noticed your Antipodes photo! When does the offer end? I was thinking of getting the Hosanna serum before I leave on Saturday. :)

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    1. I'm not sure, I was just casually browsing David Jones and I saw the stickers on the exfoliant. Try your local DJs and see if they have anything similar - they should! Where did you buy Exposed? Can't believe you're leaving today, have a wonderful time :)

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  19. I need to own this blush. So beautiful.

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  20. oh this looks nice! I always want to try tarte blushes, too bad they're not available here T.T
    I like the swatch of naked rose too!! I am just can't get enough of blushes , lol.

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  21. I know what you mean about the texture, my blush of that line has the same feel. They do wear very well, I guess the dryness helps them stay, but La Femme blushes wear longest of all on me and they are easier to pick up pigment. I thought I was alone in finding the texture less than great. But the color is lovely. The comparison to other neutral blushes is just so helpful, too.

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  22. I think the Amazonian clay is what makes it drier/harder? It looks great on your cheeks! Drooling over the swatches of your nudey blushes. :L

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  23. I like the colour but I'm not a fan of Tarte's blushes. They're very dry on me & end up patchy on my cheeks :<

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  24. I love the imprint on the blush! Very fancy ;)

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  25. Doesn't this make your skin dry? But I love the color!

    WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

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  26. it looks beautiful on you! I'm dying to try the tarte amazonian clay blush!

    missdanbee.blogspot.com

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  27. I like the colour on your skin, looks very natural. x

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  28. This blush has been on my wishlist for forever - the packaging is beautiful and it looks so pretty on you :) x

    http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/

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  29. This is very natural looking, I doubt it will show up at all on my skin tone. I do have other Tarte blushers on my list though. :)

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  30. I always read good thing of Tarte's blushes. I din't know this brand some time ago. the color is really pretty and discret :D

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  31. I haven't used Tarte blushes myself, so I'm not sure of the pigmentation. But it does look great on your cheeks. Very natural and soft. :-)

    ~ Yun

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  32. i love tarte blushes in general but i do agree with you on that they don't last for 24hrs.
    i have the old version as well and the new ones last just about the same as the old one.
    this color looks so subtle and sophisticated on you. i wish i could wear something like this.

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  33. I have the Exposed and it is very nice in texture and goes with pretty much every look. I don't find it super-pigmented though. I guess it is good that you can build it up. As for lasting effect, it doesn't last any longer than my other blushes.

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  34. oh wow, the packaging is so pretty! love the shade too, it's not too strong but still gives a gorgeous colour :) and I don't really thing there's a blush out there that can last 12 hours, well, not that I know of anyway :) great review hun, thanks alot! xo

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  35. AHh if only it were more pigmented. I have yet to try tarte blushes.

    chochalistas.blogspot.com

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  36. I love the colours of the blushes you share with us!
    But i find it a bit hard to personally find a colour which will match pale complexion with yellow undertones :(

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