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tarte Makeup Mystery Set Review – October 2019

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeNov 2, 2019 | 7 comments

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 box

Tarte
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Tarte celebrated their 19th birthday this month with new sales every day, and they also curated this surprise goodie bag containing 1 makeup bag, 4 full-size makeup items, and 1 mini makeup item, promising a $122 value!

FYI - this Tarte Makeup Surprise Set is still available for purchase! They also launched a Skincare Mystery Set which is also still available for purchase. Check out that review here!

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 packaging

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 all items

About this Makeup Mystery Box

The Box: tarte Makeup Mystery Set

The Cost: $48 (a $122 value)

The Products: 1 makeup bag, 4 full-size makeup items, and 1 mini makeup item.

Ships: Worldwide for varying rates. Shipping is free in the US over $40.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 Review

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 info card

tarte included a card listing all the items along with their ingredients. They also included a 15% promo code to use on their website.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 bag

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 bag inside

Never Not Busy Makeup Bag

The bag was the only non-mystery item in this bundle. I don't love the phrase, but the color and the pom poms are cute, and it's lined. I'm not in love with the bag but it's cute and a nice inclusion, at least.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 palette

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 palette inside

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 palette close up

Limited-Edition Rainforest of the Sea™ Eyeshadow Palette Vol. II - Retail Value: $36

This is a great neutral palette from tarte. These shadows are pretty cool-toned and all work well together. The formulas blend well and have nice pigmentation. I'm also very happy with the range of colors here - you have pale shades that are great for highlighting, a few mid-tone shades to play with, and even a really dark shade you could use as a liner or to smoke out your look.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 eye shadow look instructions

This palette includes a card that offers instructions on how to achieve a couple different looks with this palette. The ones shown here are both pretty dramatic looks.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 eye shadow swatches

Here are swatches of the shadows in the palette.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 mascara

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 mascara open

Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara - Retail Value $23

This mascara is tarte's signature, cult-classic mascara. It's a good one! The formula has no issues clumping at all, and it lengthens and curls. It also has ingredients to nourish your lashes.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 lip paint

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 lip paint open

Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Front Row - Retail Value $20

I haven't tried many of tarte's lip paints before, but I'm no stranger to similar products from other brands. I'm happy with the performance of this! It does a solid job and applies with opaque pigmentation, no bleeding, and stays put. tarte describes this shade, Front Row, as a "deep mauve" but it looks warmer than a mauve to me. It's still an amazing shade for me and I can tell I'll be wearing this a lot.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 eyeliner

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 eyeliner open

Sex Kitten Liquid Liner - Retail Value $20

How cute is the packaging for this eyeliner? I adore the little cat on the lid. This liner is a felt-tip so it's like using a marker and quite easy to use, and I felt I had lots of control. It's a very black black and stayed put all day! Win.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 lip and liner swatches

Here's a swatch of the lipstick and the liner!

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 setting spray

Stay Spray Setting Spray, 0.24 fl oz - Estimated Value $1.50 (Buy a 4 oz full-size for $25)

This setting spray is new to me, but I like it. It has a light, fresh scent to it and it's meant to keep your makeup in place and transfer-proof for 16 hours. I don't usually have a problem with makeup wearing off by the end of the day with my dry skin, but it feels refreshing and works well enough for me.

Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 makeup modeled Tarte Makeup Mystery Set October 2019 makeup modeled

And here I am wearing everything in my kit!

The Verdict: I am a huge fan of tarte - I think they make quality makeup and their foundations are some of the very few that work for me in paleness and in undertone. I also like their clean ingredients. That's why I felt confident ordering a mystery bag from them, because I knew I would be pretty happy to get anything from them. Unfortunately, tarte's promised value of $122 from this bag was not met. Everything adds up to $100.50 not including the bag. Overall, I'm definitely happy with what I got from the bag for the price, but I feel like tarte should have either promised a more accurate total value or included another full-size item to live up to the $122 value they claimed it would contain.  (It looks like tarte's Skincare mystery bag had the same issue. Check our review of that option here!)

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 $48, and I calculated a total value of $100.50 (using retail and estimated values) not including the value of the bag. Here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Palette: $17.19
  • Mascara: $10.99
  • Lipstick: $9.55
  • Eyeliner: $9.55
  • Setting Spray: $0.72

Alternatively, with 6 items in this box (including the bag), you are paying $8 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 Makeup Mystery Set? What did you get?

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Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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7 comments

Rebecca

I got all of the same stuff in my box. I wasn’t disappointed, but maybe a little underwhelmed (especially by the tiny setting spray – I was like “really?!”)

Did everyone get the same box, or are ours just twins?

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Joy B.

I’m so happy you reviewed this because I have been debating adding that exact same lip color to my November Scentbird box and tomorrow is the cutoff for my choice. It looks wonderful on you! I’m going for it. Thank you!

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Joy B.

Oh and I meant to say that mascara is already in my queue for this month. I do the three products a month subscription. I’ve heard such great things about the mascara. Can’t wait to try it!

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Me

You look so pretty!

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Debbie

I did not like the makeup in the photos but when you put it on it looks super pretty!

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Cina

The lip color reminds me of a wet Terra Cotta pot. That’s the color always reaching for this time of year.

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Nan

Great review! I love that you actually try the products so we can see them in use.

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