Holiday Sets: When are they revealed?

[tallison]

maybe this makes me weird, but I do NOT get excited for some of these big clunky palettes that come out this time of year.  To me, the vice palettes from UD and Lorac MegaPro hold no appeal. I don't reach for things that are too big and bulky, for eyeshadow in particular.  I really like having options with all the colors, but if I see something that big in my drawer next to all my other smaller options, I just don't reach for it.  The Lorac product I use the most is still the Unzipped palette (only 10 eyeshadows, all great).

I think the UD vault set looks awesome, and the price is really good, especially because the only thing from the whole set that I have is naked3.  But I've had Naked3 for 9 months and I've only used it a few times.  

Also, I have to say that I'm really disappointed by tarte this year.  Packaging is a part of makeup, and to me, the packaging of these holiday sets is a total fail, and I'm talking about the Away Oui Go! Bon Voyage, and Pinup Girl palettes specifically. Despite tarte making really nice quality makeup, I just cannot justify buying these sets when the packaging is so juvenile.  I thought tarte was stepping up their packaging finally in the last year, but I just cannot buy this.  I showed it to my fiance saying that the product was really good, but looking at the tarte blush palette next to the NARS blush palette, he couldn't even fathom why I would want the tarte palette.  

To me, the holiday products that I want have a solid concept behind the collection, and packaging that looks special and sophisticated, but not necessarily "holiday" because I'm going to use this year round, right? I'm not saying anything bad if you have already purchased the stuff I mentioned specifically above.  In fact, most of these things are great, great quality at a good price!  But I want something on my vanity and under my tree that is luxe and beautiful.  

 

[Flowerfish]

Here are swatches of the Urban Decay Flushed Palettes:

IMG_0001.JPG

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HEAVILY swatched on my arm 1x - no primer.

I really like them a lot and I don't regret getting all four /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

*side note: a certain palette is not only for a specific skintone since all of them works fairly nice on me.

I'll try to post swatches of MAC's Heirloom Mix Lipsticks later on today or tomorrow!

Thank you for swatching these. I've been considering getting one of these since the first one came out and just never got around it. Now that I've seen your swatches I'm definitely going to order Native /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[sparklesgirlxox]

maybe this makes me weird, but I do NOT get excited for some of these big clunky palettes that come out this time of year.  To me, the vice palettes from UD and Lorac MegaPro hold no appeal. I don't reach for things that are too big and bulky, for eyeshadow in particular.  I really like having options with all the colors, but if I see something that big in my drawer next to all my other smaller options, I just don't reach for it.  The Lorac product I use the most is still the Unzipped palette (only 10 eyeshadows, all great).

I think the UD vault set looks awesome, and the price is really good, especially because the only thing from the whole set that I have is naked3.  But I've had Naked3 for 9 months and I've only used it a few times.  

Also, I have to say that I'm really disappointed by tarte this year.  Packaging is a part of makeup, and to me, the packaging of these holiday sets is a total fail, and I'm talking about the Away Oui Go! Bon Voyage, and Pinup Girl palettes specifically. Despite tarte making really nice quality makeup, I just cannot justify buying these sets when the packaging is so juvenile.  I thought tarte was stepping up their packaging finally in the last year, but I just cannot buy this.  I showed it to my fiance saying that the product was really good, but looking at the tarte blush palette next to the NARS blush palette, he couldn't even fathom why I would want the tarte palette.  

To me, the holiday products that I want have a solid concept behind the collection, and packaging that looks special and sophisticated, but not necessarily "holiday" because I'm going to use this year round, right? I'm not saying anything bad if you have already purchased the stuff I mentioned specifically above.  In fact, most of these things are great, great quality at a good price!  But I want something on my vanity and under my tree that is luxe and beautiful.  

 I could not  agree with you more. I have never used the tarte brand do to the packaging being so junky and cheap/ ugly.  I was excited to try them and wanted the blush pallet.   It came with some vile hair clip on it in some horrid  gold clunky  package.  I could not use something looking like that so back it went.   I would love to use tarte products if they had luxury packaging . Looks so cheap.

 

[wadedl]

@@tallison I think that Tarte is focused on a younger crowd. With companies like Tarte, Too Faced, Stila... The packaging is super cute and a huge part of the attraction and really drew me in about 10 years ago. Companies like Nars and Makeup Forever have a wider appeal and focus more on the actual makeup in their black packaging. I was surprised by Nars holiday this year but it is quite geometric still and once open its all about the makeup. Then there is Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy and luxury brands and those look more sophisticated. All these brands have solid items but they are just different looks for different tastes. I don't think it cheapens the product it's more of an aesthetic to appeal to their target market.

 

[sparklesgirlxox]

@@tallison I think that Tarte is focused on a younger crowd. With companies like Tarte, Too Faced, Stila... The packaging is super cute and a huge part of the attraction and really drew me in about 10 years ago. Companies like Nars and Makeup Forever have a wider appeal and focus more on the actual makeup in their black packaging. I was surprised by Nars holiday this year but it is quite geometric still and once open its all about the makeup. Then there is Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy and luxury brands and those look more sophisticated. All these brands have solid items but they are just different looks for different tastes. I don't think it cheapens the product it's more of an aesthetic to appeal to their target market.

 My 15 yr old wouldn't be caught dead with that tarte packaging nor would my 24 year old. They are the ones that send whatever I get from tarte back. You can make something cute that would attract younger people that's not ugly and junky IMO.   The balm is for younger people with its packaging yet IMO  its not junky looking my teenaged kids love the balm but not tarte due to the ugly packaging, I guess to each his own. I know tarte is popular with some people.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

I love Tarte's packaging! And the hair clips too, for that matter. Maybe I just like 'ugly and junky' things? /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> 

In other news, I still can't decide what to buy with my Sephora coupon.. I was going to just buy the Ambient Blush Palette, but I'm kind of lusting after the NARS blush palette. And now the NARS lip pencil set. 

 

[tweakabell]

That NARS pencil set is super tempting! I think tarte's packaging is happy and NARS MUFE etc is interchangeable. I will say on the Away Oui Go that I have only opened it to take photos and that the cardboard backing that holds the tufted front onto the small palette is peeling away.

 

[tallison]

@@tallison I think that Tarte is focused on a younger crowd. With companies like Tarte, Too Faced, Stila... The packaging is super cute and a huge part of the attraction and really drew me in about 10 years ago. Companies like Nars and Makeup Forever have a wider appeal and focus more on the actual makeup in their black packaging. I was surprised by Nars holiday this year but it is quite geometric still and once open its all about the makeup. Then there is Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy and luxury brands and those look more sophisticated. All these brands have solid items but they are just different looks for different tastes. I don't think it cheapens the product it's more of an aesthetic to appeal to their target market.

I do think that some of the companies are targeting a bit younger, but tarte's price point is quite high and they had some packaging come out that was getting better (the CC Matte Eyeshadow palette, rainforest after dark palette) in my opinion.  Its fine if some people do like the packaging, I'm not trying to insult anyone's taste or anything like that. MAC targets pretty young, and they do special edition packaging for collections that is much nicer in my opinion.  

I just feel like the brand (tarte) is a bit ADD at the moment...some things have wooden caps, some things are plastic-y, some things are pleather-y, its not cohesive.  If you pick up a product from Too Faced, if Too Faced wasn't written on there anywhere you'd know what brand it was, due to their signature tins.  Same thing Urban Decay, NARS, Makeup Forever, etc.  Stila has revamped their packaging and its much nicer (although I hear the product is not as good now...).  Not every product or brand is going to appeal to everyone, and that's fine.  

This tarte collection was just a miss for me.  I own a few things from the brand, but its becoming very difficult to see what their identity is, and its hard for me to get excited about future releases if I feel like I have no idea what direction the brand is headed.

 

[tweakabell]

Tarte recently sold to another company ( a few months ago I believe, big hullabaloo), I'm wondering if it disrupted their planning.

This years Holiday collection was definitely disjointed. The packaging is this gorgeous amalgamation of purple, blue, and gold, they speak of Paris and pastel macaroons and THERE IS NO COLOR! At all. It is all neutrals. The packaging in no way prepared me for the color (or lack thereof) that I found inside.

 

[saku]

the packaging is a major consideration for me too! i passed on last year's tarte set (and most likely this year's as well) cause i didn't like the packaging. i also don't like the geometric lines thingy on nars packaging this year. i really like their original packaging though! 

 

[tallison]

In other news, I still can't decide what to buy with my Sephora coupon.. I was going to just buy the Ambient Blush Palette, but I'm kind of lusting after the NARS blush palette. And now the NARS lip pencil set. 

I love the idea of the ambient blush palette, but unfortunately I already own 2/3 of the colors and cannot justify purchasing it for the limited edition color. I will say that these are some of my favorite blush singles, but I've heard that they don't show up very well on medium skin tones (I'm on the border between light/medium and they work great for me)

I am definitely getting both NARS sets.  I got both sets last year, and I have used them both enough to justify getting the new releases (I used up the bronzer from last year's blush palette, so its not as useful for travel anymore).  I love love love the formula of the pencils, and its such a good deal, even though I already have the colors Descanso and Cruella (both good colors/formulas).  I was going to buy 2 of the blushes in the palette as singles when they were released in a spring collection, but I'm being rewarded for my restraint since they are cheaper to get in the palette! I'm very happy the bronzer is larger. If you can't decide, the NARS sets were still available during the November sale last year, and didn't sell out until after Thanksgiving I think.  At least that's what I keep telling myself, because I don't have an F&F sale code.

Sorry I guess I'm no help with your decision making process!!

 

[tallison]

Tarte recently sold to another company ( a few months ago I believe, big hullabaloo), I'm wondering if it disrupted their planning.

This years Holiday collection was definitely disjointed. The packaging is this gorgeous amalgamation of purple, blue, and gold, they speak of Paris and pastel macaroons and THERE IS NO COLOR! At all. It is all neutrals. The packaging in no way prepared me for the color (or lack thereof) that I found inside.

I also thought that was odd.  Many of the eyeshadow combinations in the Away Oui Go! inserts looked very similar to me.  Its like they missed a big opportunity to coordinate several different looks, or yeah, at least "go there" with a Parisian theme, but instead you can do 4 slightly different versions of a neutral smoky eye...what?

I did hear they had been sold to another company, but to be truthful I disliked the holiday packaging last year as well.  I like the idea of these eyeshadow/blush combos that you can swap out of a palette, but both last year and this year's travel palette is a bit bulky, and when I saw in person at Ulta I passed.  I did like the mini blushes though, but Ulta is already sold out of those (they don't appear online any more and my store didn't have any more).

 

[avarier]

I'm not a fan of the tarte blush palette packaging.. but omg, I love those blushes! I don't carry it around with me so it's not a big deal. Totally worth it for 5 great colors.

~~

I've never tried the bite or nars lip pencils. I've been looking at both sets and am debating both or just nars. How do they compare to each other? Has anybody tried both?

 

[3Babydolls]

I LOVE tarte and don't mind their packaging at all. I got the Bon Voyage set this year and thought it was very darling. 

and on another note.....Oh my God, Bobbi Brown Holiday. I may have cried a little. So freaking pretty I feel I will dream about it tonight :wub:

 

[Shalott]

I love Tarte's packaging! And the hair clips too, for that matter. Maybe I just like 'ugly and junky' things? /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

In other news, I still can't decide what to buy with my Sephora coupon.. I was going to just buy the Ambient Blush Palette, but I'm kind of lusting after the NARS blush palette. And now the NARS lip pencil set. 

I LOVED all of Tarte's packaging this year (and last, for that matter) and I thought the hairpins on the blush palette were an awesome touch - I would have totally worn them.

TBH I am side-eyeing hard anyone who wants to say they won't buy a product because of packaging. Okay, that's fine and personal preference I get it. But you're not wiping the packaging on your face, and for the most part it will be put away in makeup bags or drawers. I have tons of gorgeously packaged items that are just as hidden away as my fugly packaged items. I guess I don't get anyone who doesn't put the product performance and their needs before aesthetics. When I buy new makeup I ask myself.

1. Will this work for me?

2. Do I have something like it?

3. If I don't buy it will I regret it?

And only in the third question does packaging ever play a part. To each their own, luckily we don't all like the same things or product would sell out fast. It just rubs me the wrong way to see items that other members have already expressed like/love for devalued as being "ugly or "cheap". Yes, we all have opinions but our opinions need not be hurtful. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[SillyNoodle]

I really loved Tarte's Rainforest After Dark packaging, but I'm not feeling their holiday line this year. Doesn't seem hoilday-ish at all to me. I know some of these companies avoid going full on Christmas with their packaging to avoid getting flack, but a snow theme would have been nice. Replace those vines with white snowflakes and make the background violet or deep plum. That would have been gorgeous! 

But it is what it is. Packaging is just like a bonus to me anyway~

 

[JC327]

Here are swatches of the Urban Decay Flushed Palettes:

IMG_0001.JPG

IMG_0002.JPG

HEAVILY swatched on my arm 1x - no primer.

I really like them a lot and I don't regret getting all four /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

*side note: a certain palette is not only for a specific skintone since all of them works fairly nice on me.

I'll try to post swatches of MAC's Heirloom Mix Lipsticks later on today or tomorrow!

Im convinced I need them all, now to convince the hubby will be harder.

 

[viccckyhoang]

I have Strip, and love it!  I use one brush to apply the blush and highlighter, then use the side of the brush to dab a little bronzer to the sides of my nose.  Sometimes I add a blush over the top for a darker look.

the blush and highlighter is GORGEOUS for strip but idk what to do with that shimmery bronzer so I use it as an eyeshadow D;

I'm really liking Streak!  I will have to pick that up for sure.

that's my top pick if I only had to pick one /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

Thank you for swatching these. I've been considering getting one of these since the first one came out and just never got around it. Now that I've seen your swatches I'm definitely going to order Native  /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
 

Native is my 3rd favorite (...Naked being my 2nd favs)!

 

Im convinced I need them all, now to convince the hubby will be harder.
 

you WILL get them /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[gingerneko]

Thank you @ and @@eastofthesun for the kind words, but in a way, I'm doing it to be selfish- I had someone say the cruelest things ANYONE has ever said to me, EVER. The only way I'm going to be able to shake it off is to be kind and do good for others, which makes me feel better no matter what (I learned this a long time ago- when someone makes me question myself by saying cruel things, I just try to be the best person I can be). So, again, it's a selfish thing /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> @@Megan27ist PM me if you want them /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Everyone has some selfishness inside them -- it's part of the survival instinct. Generally, I consider actions to be the measure of someone's character, not intentions. We all have our demons and our challenges internally. Overcoming them and choosing actions that make us more like our understanding of what it means to be a better person... well, IMO, that is what makes us better people. Choosing to do something kind or generous is a good thing, regardless to what's inside. It still makes the world a kinder place, and inspires others. Human psyches are rarely selfless down to the core. Doing those good, kind things and feeling good about it is what inspires us to keep doing those things. If generosity didn't have that good vibe associated with it for us, I think it would be less common. 

This may sound cynical to some, but it's quite the opposite, to me. I think any human being can learn to be kind, generous, and caring because of that internal good-vibes feedback. Maybe most of us aren't inherently selfless -- but I don't think selflessness is something people should strive to attain. I think people should strive to choose the 'common good' path over the 'self-focused' path in our actions wherever we can. Time and action change us to be more like we would want to be. 

I think the fact that you're sharing the things you don't use is a good thing. I think donating that money to a shelter is a really good and positive thing.  B)

Sorry. Psych rant off. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[gingerneko]

 I could not  agree with you more. I have never used the tarte brand do to the packaging being so junky and cheap/ ugly.  I was excited to try them and wanted the blush pallet.   It came with some vile hair clip on it in some horrid  gold clunky  package.  I could not use something looking like that so back it went.   I would love to use tarte products if they had luxury packaging . Looks so cheap.

The packaging on their matte palette from earlier this year was absolutely gorgeous -- the case was this amethyst colored geode motif, and it was metal and very sturdy. If all their packaging looked like that, I'd be tempted to buy a ton just to display on my bathroom vanity so I could look at it... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />