Things I encountered this afternoon…
1. A piece of chocolate cake.
Portion control is lame
2. A pinkish coral blush that smells like a mixed berry smoothie (more on this in a minute!).
3. Jeremy Renner doing push-ups in my living room… He texted this morning to ask if he could come over on my lunch break (“Hey, girl, I’m in Novato!”).
Alright, so maybe that third thing didn’t happen. Truth is, Jeremy and I went makeup shopping at Sephora this afternoon…
Okay, okay, I’ll stop! 🙂
But seriously, I can’t wait to see Jeremy in the new Bourne movie. Maybe I’ll wear Tarte’s new Cheek Stain in Loving ($30) to the show.
If I do, one thing’s for sure — I know my cheeks will smell good, LOL!
You see, Loving, like Tarte’s other oil-free Cheek Stain shades, is scented. Yup, it’s a fragrant blush (and new for fall 2012), which I admit sounds a little weird…
But it smells deliciously like a strawberry lemonade smoothie, om nom nom.
Like its siblings in the line, pinkish coral Loving is a water-based gel tint, and sure, it looks pretty dark and glittery in the swatch, but it sure comes alive on cheeks.
If you worry (like I do) about glittery blushes drawing unwanted attention to your pores, you might want to use a skunk brush to apply it, as they give a little more control over how much product they apply than applying the stick directly to your cheeks. Most of the time, I apply a few layers, usually with a skunk brush, which delivers a pinkish coral flush with a slightly shiny finish.
“Cheek stains are free of alcohol so they won’t dry out your skin and oil so they won’t clog your pores. They are infused with the tarte t5 super fruit complexâ„¢ for a healthy dose of natural antioxidants.
“The tarte t5 super fruit complexâ„¢ is a proprietary blend of the five most active superfruits: goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate. The first blend of its kind, the t5 super fruit complexâ„¢ is loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant rich nutrients and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits with each application.”
For the full effect, though, in all its blindingly bright and shimmery glory, I’ll swipe the stick directly on my cheeks and then blend out the edges with my fingers.
I like Loving on top of bare skin, foundation and/or powder. I’ve tried it a number of different ways, but my favorite is atop liquid foundation and powder, where it lasts between 8-10 hours (versus directly on bare skin, where if my cheeks are even the slightest bit oily, it slides right off).
Oh, and if you happen to be a fan of Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Shimmering Blush in Glisten, you have another reason to like Loving. It’s basically the same shade as a Cheek Stain.
PRICE: $30
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora and online at sephora.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. In the event that our earlier talk about Jeremy left you missing Matt, here’s some old-school Bourne for ya. 🙂
Lulle says
I’ve always wanted to try a cheek stain from Tarte but the price makes me hesitant. I think I should try them on in a store to be sure I pick the right shade for my complexion.
I love your glasses! Mine are quite similar – except the frame is thicker on the sides.
Britany B. says
They have a 30% off sale right now until Aug. 6th. Grab it while you can!
vnssa906 says
nice, thanks for the heads up
Karen says
Yay, thanks Britany!
Lulle says
I already grabbed a powder blush and a lipsurgence 😀
Karen says
Okay, that just made Jeremy Renner 100% more awesome.
Karen says
YES! I heart him!
Jen K says
I love love love love love Jeremy Renner. I’m sorry, did you mention other things in this post? All I see is him!
Karen says
LOL! Are you going to see him in the new Bourne movie?
Jen K says
You know, I’ve only see the very first Borne movie, but I think I’ll see this one, just for him!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
This is just lovely. I have always wanted to try the Tarte cheek stains but haven’t had done so yet. I am a little weary of the shimmer–but that’s never stopped me before! 😀
Karen says
Do it! If you use a skunk brush the shimmer is perfect!
Agata says
Glisten is my favorite Tarte blush 🙂
Karen says
Hi Agata!
Happy Friday. 🙂 I heart Glisten!
I can’t remember if you like corals, but if you do, check out Tipsy! That’s my second fave shade.
Agata says
I love coral. I will have to check out Tipsy next time I am at Ulta. You know I have a serious blush addiction. Happy weekend Karen!
Ansh says
oh i love this guy..he is sooo cute!
Karen says
He’s adorable. And the fact that he worked previously as a makeup artist makes him even cooler!
Kiss & Make-up says
I never thought I’d say this but if I had to choose between that cheek stain or the chocolate cake… I’d go for the chocolate cake! I’m a lousy beauty junkie 🙁
That said, the blush does look really good. The colors look great!
Karen says
Both are delicious! It would be difficult to choose, LOL!
Kim says
How do I love you? Let me count the ways. Checking in at 8 AM on a Friday morning to see a pic of Jeremy Renner? If I was *going* to have a bad day, it’s been 100% prevented. 🙂
As you know, I’m pretty excited for the new Bourne, too. And I’m a huge fan of the old. The Hubs will often say “you own these movies… why do you have to watch them on TV…. every time they’re on?”. HAHA!
Oh, and I love Tarte, too. Just full of love this morning. I think I’m too oily for a stain but might give their powder blush a shot. The color looks great on you. Oh! And Happy Friday!!
Karen says
Thank YOU for opening up the wonderful world of “Jeremy Renner, MUA.”
I can see him dressed in all black with his little brush belt at the counter, putting concealer on someone, LOL!
Or in the Bourne movie, coloring and cutting some girl’s hair in the sink, and then showing her what makeup would work with her new hair.
“Now that you’re a brunette, you can easily pull of these shades on your lids…”
Kim says
I’d be totally down with that movie scene (or pretty much any movie scene he’s in). hee hee! I think he spent some time at the Lancome counter – for real. I would have been buying Hypnose daily. 🙂
Are you going to see Total Recall? I’m such a fan of the original that I don’t think I can do it. Go to the theater, I mean. I’d be OK when it’s on Netflix. But, if you see it and love it, let me know!
And have a great weekend!!
Nina says
I love you in specs! 🙂
My eyes are giving me so much trouble lately that ive skipped the contacts and have been wearing my specs most days! 🙂 Its a welcome relief, if you ask me!
Other than the True Blood Cheek Stain, I havent tried any other …. I must rectify that error and take Jeremy Renner Sephora shopping with me while im at it!
Karen says
Thanks, Nina! I feel so weird without any eye makeup on so I felt like I had to put on something, LOL! Plus I can’t wear my contacts, blah…
I hope that your eyes feel better soon. 🙂 Your appointment is next week, right?
Nina says
Yep, Friday. 🙂 Im kinda nervous about it but the Optometrist said she thinks there’s nothing wrong other than allergies, but she wants the Opthalmologist to confirm. 🙂
steffi says
mmmmmmmmm – Jeremy Renner. Pinkish coral blush not bad also:)
Karen says
Both are tasty in their own special way, LOL!
Soo Jin says
While I’m not normally attracted to Jeremy Renner, I have to admit he was pretty dang hot in the Avengers when he jumped off that building and did that slow-mo flip move while shooting his arrow (haha, ya know what I’m talking about?) My hubs Max and I are excited to see the new Bourne movie. 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better Karen!
Karen says
Hi Soo Jin,
LOL, I do know what you’re talking about!
You’re lucky that your hubby is down to watch the new Bourne…I have to drag El Hub (as he’s kicking and screaming, no doubt). I think he’s more of an old school Matt fan, you know?
Jenna N. says
I love your glasses! Where did you get them?! =)
Karen says
Hi Jenna,
They’re by Paul Smith. The frames are pretty old though (I think from 2003 or 2004) so they may not be around anymore.
Jenna N. says
Oh that’s a shame, they are the exact shape I’m always searching for!
Amber S says
I really want cake now.
gio says
That’s a very pretty blush and the scent sounds delicious. The cake looks very yummy too.
BeckBeck says
Not exactly on topic (of makeup OR hot dudes), but Karen, what brand are your glasses? I’m a lifelong spectacles girl and have had increasing difficulty finding stylish but not overly trendy frames in recent years.
Brittany says
I love Tarte’s cheek stains (and all of their other products for that matter!) so I might have to try this one. Karen you look absolutely adorable in your glasses. Now that I look closer I may have the exact same pair as you! Either that or mine are extremely similar! I just found out yesterday about Jeremy Renner’s MUA past watching a clip online from Ellen. I love his philosophy of “brows, lashes, and lips”!
Liz says
I think it looks too natural. Honestly, at first glance I didn’t think you had on any blush at all.
Christine says
Yay, I was hoping you’d do something on one of these from Tarte since they’re having Friends and Family 30% off right now! Yay!
PS, I heart Jeremy Renner, too 🙂
KPrice says
You look so pretty in glasses! And your J Renner post is awesome – I just love him.
lexi says
1. wants chocolate cake now
2. wouldn’t kick JRen out for eating it…anywhere
3. what are those eyeshadow swatches you have next to the cheekstain?
Eden-Avalon says
I have one of these cheek stains and honestly? I never figured out how to apply it. It feels sticky on my fingers and generally never sets on my skin. Tips?
KPmake-up says
Okay, i just spit out my coffee after i read your request for 2 tickets to the gun show! LOL That was hilarious! My boss resembles him a lot, it’s kinda scary.
Julee says
Hi, Karen.
Regarding applying Tarte blush stain, isn’t it hard over liquid foundation and powder?
I love my Tarte powder foundation and can’t give it up, but I also love the cheek stain.
But when I apply top of the foundation, the color looks bit muddy. What do you think?
Thank you,
Julee
Bella says
Karen,
Just found your blog today! Love hike style. That loving is a Gorgeous colour on you. J Lo glow! Do you remember what lipstick you are using? I couldn’t see it in the details