Makeup

Like the Yeti of my makeup dreams, I thought the lipstick tree was a figment of my imagination. Many, many times I’ve dreamt of having one strategically placed outside my bedroom window (right next to the money tree, of course), so I could easily pluck a tube off its branches whenever I wanted a new color.

Funny thing about dreams — sometimes they come true, albeit indirectly in this case. It turns out there really is a lipstick tree! It doesn’t sprout lipsticks (DAMN!), but bright red fruit instead.

Apparently I wasn’t paying close attention in upper division botany, because today I found out achiote is a small tree grown in tropical regions of the Americas and Southeast Asia. It bears spiny fruit which contain bright red seeds used to color food, body paint and lipstick, hence its nickname, “the lipstick tree.”

That’s achiote, yo!

I owe this new beauty wisdom to Tarte’s Achiote Cheek Tint & Lip Luster Duo ($35). A two-piece QVC spring exclusive, Tarte packed it with a cream blush and a sheer lipstick, both in the shade Achiote, a shimmery reddish peach.

Did I mention that I love this color because it looks like a universally flattering shade that could work on light, medium and dark skin?

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About half of the time back in college when I’d go to the library to “study,” I’d actually fall asleep with my face in a book. I’d wake up, peel my face from the paper, and look down to see huge oil spots on the page.

Gross, I know. 🙂

Ah, well… if I’d only known about the Tarte Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder and Brush Set, the one with the power of PM20 ($38, available exclusively through QVC.com).

If I’d had this colorless loose powder and soft, synthetic bristle powder brush with me back then, the only spots on my books would have been from bits of greasy fried chicken (because everyone knows studying chem is more fun with junk food), and NOT my oily skin.

Lately I’ve been dusting the powder on my face to set my foundation and concealer, and it works, keeping the oiliest spots on my forehead and nose matte for a solid eight hours.

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Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Rose on cheeks, bridge of nose and chin

And the hits keep comin’ from Tarte! The cruelty-free brand (one of Tabs’ faves) just launched two new pressed powder highlighters for spring called the Provocateur Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powders ($30 each). The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but the powders do have some moves.

The almost weightless, finely milled grains feel like baby powder on my skin — unlike those other highlighting powders that make my pores look larger than the Grand Canyon. They can be applied to cheeks, brow bones, and décolletage for a highlighting glow. Use a little for a soft, subtle sheen, or a lot to shoot for the stars.

These continue Tarte’s Amazonian clay trend, too, supposedly adjusting to the wearer’s skin. Tarte claims they add moisture to dry spots while absorbing oil from slick ones, but in that regard I’m not totally sold.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne on the left and Rose on the right

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne on the left and Rose on the right
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Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy on cheeks

Breathtaking is all I can say about Tarte’s new Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes ($25 each). I could tell right away that these powder blushes were something special. I mean, just look at them — the embossed leaf on the pan, how the compacts are color coordinated to match the blush inside? Beautiful.

Clockwise from the lower left: Tipsy, Natural Beauty and Blushing Bride

The colors are based on existing shades from Tarte’s Cheek Stain and Lip Stain line, and Tarte says their not-so-secret ingredient, Amazonian clay, behaves differently depending on the wearer’s skin, by hydrating dry spots and/or absorbing oil in greasy areas at the same time.

That’s cool and all, but Tarte had me at hello with these. 🙂 The colors are just so intense that I can hardly look away…but eventually I have to, because on top of everything else, they last throughout the day!

Yesterday I spent some quality me time with three of the eight blushes in the line — Tipsy (a matte coral), Blushing Bride (a shimmery rosy plum with golden glitter) and Natural Beauty (a matte red).

Tipsy
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