Matte Palette Showdown: Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette VS Tarte Tartelette Palette

With every company seemingly coming out with some version of a neutral eyeshadow palette, it can be quite overwhelming when trying to decide which one is right for you. To narrow things down, I have decided to pit two of the most popular matte neutral eyeshadow palettes out there against each other--the Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette and the Tarte Tartelette Palette. Now you might be wondering why you would need a palette full of matte shades. Well all-matte eyeshadow palettes are especially useful because not only can you create looks just using the palette alone, but they can serve as great companions to ground more shimmery looks. Their diversity lies in the wide variety of shadows, ranging from highlights to transitions and defining shades, everything you could possibly need to create a well put together look.

At first glance, these two palettes are extremely different in outer appearance. The palette by KVD is a bit bulkier and is made of basic black cardboard, whereas the Tarte palette has very appealing plastic gold and purple packaging. Both palettes also come equipped with relatively large mirrors. The Shade + Light palette mirror is not full sized nor is it able to stay up on its own, however, it is still a pretty big mirror. The Tartelette palette, on the other hand, spans the full size of the palette and can stay up on its own, which makes it extremely convenient if you're doing your makeup on the go. Also, it is important to note that both have secure closures, making them travel-friendly. While the Shade + Light palette has a magnetic closure, the Tartelette palette has a clasp closure.

Swatches

Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette

Tarte Tartelette Palette

Now if you think the two palettes are polar opposites in packaging, the differences only continue to accumulate when comparing the shades inside. Both palettes contain 12 matte shades, but that is about as far as the similarities go between these two. Shade + Light has more neutral to warm shades, whereas the Tartelette palette is very cool-toned. After swatching both palettes, I found that I enjoyed the texture of the Tarte eyeshadows more. They were more smooth and pigmented and easier to build up than the Kat Von D eyeshadows. For those of you concerned with the value you're getting for your buck, you get 16.8 grams of product for $46 with KVD and 18 grams of product for $45 with Tarte. Though there is only a slight difference, it is undeniable that the Tartelette palette is a better value.

Personally, I find myself reaching for warmer shades more frequently with my makeup looks, so it is all about personal preferences and what you would actually use on an everyday basis when choosing between the two. Either way, you can't go wrong choosing one or the other as they are both great palettes to have in your arsenal.


XO♥


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Spring 2015 Launch: The Tarte Tartelette Palette + A Lovely Discount Code!

Tarte is one of those higher end brands that's actually friendly to the masses. It's not "stuffy" or unapproachable and somehow relates to all different kinds of women. This fundamental quality about the brand actually seems to be the underlying theme of the Tartelette palette (more on that later though). It will be launching publicly in the Spring of 2015.

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Let's get into details...The Tartelette palette features twelve matte Amazonian Clay eyeshadows, which are exclusive to this palette. It is an all neutral palette ranging from very light to very dark and what's special about it is that is seems to offer three eyeshadows in each category (three highlight shades, three midtone, three crease/outer v colors, and three defining shades), so there will be something for all skintones. The palette is compact (about the size of my hands, granted I have small hands), has an amazing mirror, and is just overall a great quality, travel-friendly palette. Did I mention the packaging? Tarte has officially outdone themselves with this one! The top portion of the palette is a lilac to purple ombre with shiny gold detailing, and while the packaging is prone to fingerprint smudging, I don't mind wiping it down in the least.

The eyeshadows contain 1.5 grams of product, which is the same as a typical Mac eyeshadow. As I was mentioning earlier, the theme of the eyeshadow names in this palette seem to be different kinds of everyday women and is overall targeted towards the empowerment of women. Go Tarte! I think it's awesome that every time I reach for this palette, I'll be reminded how unique we each are and that we should support that uniqueness. Also, Tarte has finally heard you; the names of the eyeshadows are printed onto the palette. No more plastic sheet!

Enough of my blabbering though. I know you just want to see the swatches!

♥ Free Spirit: Yellow based cream eyeshadow. Absolutely going to love this as a brow bone highlight!

♥ Force of Nature: Mid-tone peach.

♥ Dreamer: Medium brown with orange undertones. I noticed that this one didn't feel that smooth as if it was pressed into the pan harder, but it is nicely pigmented.

♥ Multi-Tasker: Dark brown with grey undertones. This one did not feel as smooth either, but built up well and did not go on patchy.

♥ Caregiver: Light bubblegum pink. One of my faves because it's so rare to find a pink eyeshadow that feels as soft and creamy as this one and is this insanely pigmented.

♥ Natural Beauty: Medium pink with mauve undertones.

♥ Best friend: Dusty rose. This shade is going to be perfect in the crease for smokey eyes.

♥ Bombshell: Deep smokey plum.

♥ Super Mom: Off-White with beige undertones. This one was my least favorite out of the whole palette because of it's texture. It went on kind of patchy, though not horribly.

♥ Wanderer: True camel shade. This is the perfect transition shade.

♥ Power Player: Taupe with purple undertones.

♥ Fashionista: Insanely pigmented black. Watch out for this one! I was not expecting this much pigmentation with one swatch. Be sure to tap off your brush or you will get fall out!

Overall, I think this is one of the best neutral palettes to be released as of late. Tarte has really perfected the buttery smooth textures in these Amazonian Clay eyeshadows. I would recommend this palette for anyone that is a fan of all matte eyes or someone that simply needs an accompanying matte palette to their otherwise shimmery collection. The palette does lean on the cooler tone of the spectrum, so the only thing I would say that it's missing is probably one of my all-time favorite sort of shades--a dark reddish brown. Womp, womp! Maybe there will be a warm sequel? Here's to wishful thinking.

I will be updating you guys as to the palette's official release date in a future blog post. Speaking of future, I have a little treat to share with you guys, but unfortunately it won't be available until New Years Day. Get 15% off of the Tarte website from January 1st all the way to the 16th with "Sweet15".

XO ♥