Tarte celebrated their 19th birthday this month with new sales every day, and they also curated this surprise goodie bag containing 2 full-sized, 2 travel-sized and 1 skincare mini all inside a makeup bag, promising a $112 value!
FYI - this Tarte Skincare Surprise Set is still available for purchase! They also launched a Makeup Mystery Set which is also still available for purchase.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About The Box
The Box: Tarte Skincare Surprise Set
The Cost: $56
The Products: 1 makeup bag, 2 full-size items, 2 travel size items, and 1 mini skincare item. ($112 value)
Tarte Skincare Mystery Set October 2019 Review
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Tarte included a card listing all the items along with their ingredients. They also included a 15% promo code to use on their website.
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I Wake Up for Makeup Bag
The bag was the only non-mystery item in this bundle, and it was definitely not what sold me on this set. It is cute enough with pink fabric and gold detailing, but I've received some really special bags from Tarte in the past, so this one just didn't rank for me.
Rainforest of the Sea 4 in 1 Makeup Setting Spray, 2.5fl oz - Retail Spray $25
Setting spray is one of those items I hate to spend money on, so I was really happy to see this full-sized bottle in my box. I've never tried this one out before, but it is a multi-tasker, just like its name states. On clean skin, this spray can act as a skincare essence, treating your skin with marine plant extracts, but it is also used to prime, hydrate and refresh your makeup. I didn't try this out as a skincare essence, but it did a great job refreshing my base makeup after a long office day. The scent reminds me of citrusy watered-down witch hazel, just like the H2O Boost below, and it is somewhat cooling upon application. In my first order, which shipped extraordinarily fast, my setting spray had drenched all of the items in the bag, and I was left with 3/4 of the spray left in the bottle. I've always had great experiences with their customer service; after a quick chat with customer service, Tarte sent a replacement set just as quickly as they sent the first!
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Tight and Bright Clay Multi-Mask, 1.76oz - Retail Value $40
Multi-masking is such a great concept, especially for those of us who have different textures and concerns all over our faces! This jar is so huge and the packaging is so inviting; I couldn't wait to dig in. I was mostly interested in the tightening clay mask for my t-zone and the brightening mask to fill in around it, but I definitely went ham with the clay. I loved the gritty texture which seemed to really detox as well as tighten my pores, and the gold gel hydrated and brightened my undereye areas.
I let the mask sit for 15 minutes before rinsing, and I was really impressed with how clear and glowy my skin looked. I was even more impressed the next day when I looked in the mirror and my face was still glowing, and some scarring looked like it faded overnight.
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Rainforest of the Sea H2O Hydrating Boost, .5fl oz - Retail Value $14
Although this product is not new to me, I was happy to revisit such a gentle, delightful treatment. Hyaluronic acid and electrolyte-balancing sea salts work together with antioxidants from marine plant extracts to moisturize and protect the skin, leaving you lightly moisturized with a healthy glow. When you first apply this treatment, it has a subtle cooling effect, which intensifies if you leave the jar inside the fridge (would definitely recommend!). It isn't enough moisture for my dry skin, but I definitely noticed the hydrating boost it left after I had applied all of my skincare in the AM. Hyaluronic acid is a miracle-worker for my skin, and if it wasn't for the jar packaging, I'd definitely purchase the full-size H2O Boost. [Jars expose their products to the elements which leave a lot of active ingredients open to breaking down over time (not to mention germs from your fingers, etc.).]
Rainforest of the Sea Deep Dive Gel Cleanser, .25oz - Estimated Value $1.74 (Buy 1.7fl oz here for $12)
This is the only product in this box that didn't wow me. The gel consistency felt good while I was massaging it onto my face, and I liked the lather it built up. I used this in the AM and PM, and my face felt clean and smooth but also a little tight after drying. As far as makeup removal goes, I had to go back in with micellar water to pick up remaining bits of waterproof mascara and eyeliner, but it did a great job removing everything else. All in all, it is a good, gentle cleanser, but there are different options out there that work better for me.
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Frxxxtion Stick 3 in 1 Exfoliating Cleanser, .22oz - Estimated Value $4.84 (Buy 1oz here for $22)
Typically I go for chemical exfoliators, but while you're pregnant you have limited options in that department. I do love the feel of a physical exfoliant, especially one as gritty as the Frxxxtion stick. Its sand-like grit is gentle enough for my sensitive skin, and it did a fab job of sloughing away the dead skin cells that seem to inhabit my pores after 3-4 days of not exfoliating. I applied this directly to my damp skin then, in circular motions, massaged it in with my fingers. It felt fantastic! I fully plan on repurchasing this stick when they have their sale before Christmas. I will mention, I have no idea what this product is supposed to smell like; I didn't notice a scent before applying it to my face, but after a few swipes, I did notice a plastic-like smell that reminded me that the sample may have been past its prime. Did anyone else notice a seemingly odd odor?
The Verdict: Tarte is the only makeup brand I really trust to not break my skin out, so I think I would have been content with anything they sent to me, as long as the value was there... Unfortunately, Tarte's promise of hitting a $112 value with this box wasn't met, as I calculated a value of around $85.58 (not including the bag). Although I am seriously impressed with the products I got and will definitely be repurchasing a few, I feel they could have included another full-sized or travel item to live up to the value they predicted. In the end, I tried new products (that I love) that I wouldn't have purchased otherwise, so besides the value discrepancy, I give this box two thumbs up!
To Wrap Up:
Can you get this box if you sign up today? As of publication, this set is still available!
Value Breakdown: This box costs $56, and I calculated a total value of $85.58 (using retail and estimated values) not including the value of the bag. Here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Tight & Bright Mask: $26.16
- H2O Boost: $9.16
- Deep Dive Cleanser: $1.14
- Frxxxtion Stick: $3.17
- Setting Spray: $16.35
- Bag: n/a
Alternatively, with 6 items in this box (including the bag), you are paying $9.33 for each item.
Check out all of our Tarte reviews and the best beauty subscription boxes, as voted by our readers!
What do you think about the Tarte Skincare Mystery Set? What did you get?
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