NEW! Tarte For True Blood Collection

Don't even try to tell me that vampires sparkle.  I won't hear of it!  No, vampires live in the Deep South and own bars and rule kingdoms and cry blood instead of tears. Of course I'm talking about True Blood, and I couldn't be more excited that season 4 starts this weekend!

To celebrate the premiere, natural makeup giant Tarte has teamed up with the show's head makeup artist Brigette Myre-Ellis to produce a limited edition collection of beauty products.  In addition to iridescent red shades in Tarte's cult favorite Natural Cheek Stain and Lip Surgence Lip Tint, there's an enormous palette of eyeshadows with True Blood themed names like Fairy, Waitress, and Bayou.  The palette also comes with eyeliner, mascara, and eye primer.  For only $52 this is a pretty amazing deal!

 

The most unique thing about this collection is that each product is similar to those that Brigette Myre-Ellis uses for the characters on set.  She's revealed in interviews that she used Tarte eyeshadow palettes for character Maryann Forrester's exotic eyes and always applies a very dramatic red lip for Vampire Queen Sophie Anne.  Cheek stains also perfect for the dewy look of the human characters on True Blood; the humans are always "bronzed and sweaty (we spray them with water) to serve as contrast to the vampires, who are always cool and collected." 

Even if you aren't a fan of the show, these products are difficult to pass up!  The variety of matte, shimmer, and smoky shades in the palette will create so many gorgeous looks.  If you love red lips as much as I do, this Lip Tint is a must have!  And cheek stains are an essential item for summer because they'll last all day with no regard to sweltering temperatures.   The Tarte for True Blood collection is beautiful, wearable, and a genius collaboration!   

Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain

Josie Maran's Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stains are proof that not all lip stains are created equal.  I had pretty much written off lip stains after Benetint didn't really do it for me and CoverGirl's lip stain turned out to be useless.   Josie Maran's Magic Markers have restored my faith in lip stains.  Isn't it amazing when you find a product that does exactly what it says it will?  That's how I feel about these.  They're wonderful.

As a lipstick enthusiast, I'm accustomed to checking and reapplying the color as needed, identifying my beverages by a lipstick-stained straw, and hurriedly trying to wipe it off before I can even think about kissing someone.  Magic Markers have completely changed all of that.  These stains last like nothing I've ever worn before!  Example: my favorite, most delicious sandwich in the world can also get quite messy, but even after devouring Newk's Q, my lips looked exactly as they did before I ate and my napkin was free of lipstick prints.  The color stayed pristine through cocktails and cake batter consumption (my BFF Marissa and I know how to have a good time), and while I haven't given these Magic Markers the "kiss test" yet, I've got high hopes they'll pass. 

I purchased Flamenco, a perfect cherry red, and Waltz, a gorgeous rose pink that's like my lips only better.  Here they are swatched, with Flamenco on top and Waltz below it. 

 
They're so much more vibrant in person!  Really, they make my mouth go POW!  Flamenco is my new favorite red shade and Waltz is my new go-to shade when red just isn't appropriate.  I love the dance-themed names, too!  (Fun fact: I'm an accomplished ballroom dancer...the waltz is my favorite!)

I feel especially good about buying Josie Maran products.  Her tagline is "luxury with a conscience", which I can definitely get behind and describes the Magic Marker lip stains to a T.  Plus, they're free of parabens, artificial fragrances, and are cruelty free, which I make a point to buy whenever possible.

The packaging insists they're for lips and cheeks, but I think blending out the lines would take some practice and effort.  If you aren't careful, you could end up with a war-paint look!  Waltz would make a stunning cheek color, though.  

One more minor drawback is that they're kind of drying, but that's de rigeur for most lip stains anyway.  I have a small arsenal of lip balms occupying my purse now, but I can deal.

Overall, I'm really thrilled with these new lip stains.  The colors and staying power are like no other lip color I've ever tried!