Tarte had a bright idea when they thought they’d combine two powder shadows on the same brightener, but is the total package worth the time it takes to use? I hope so! — because I can always use the help when it comes my dark circles.
When I heard about Tarte’s new twin-tipped eye brightener, I thought, heck, let’s look at The Bright Side ($20). 🙂
The Bright Side has a powder shadow on each end — a shimmery champagne called Day on one and a shimmery pink called Night on the other.
To open up and brighten the eyes, Tarte recommends applying Day at the outer corners and under the brow. Then, to really make the eyes pop, they suggest applying Night at the inner corners.
My expectations may have been set a little too high when I gave The Bright Side a try. I mean, the name — The Bright Side? That’s a setup right there. 🙂 I had high hopes, but the product’s not as easy as I hoped it would be to use.
Day / Night: Ingredients
Shimmering Pink: Mica, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Lactate, Ceresin, Silica, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Kaolin, Carmine (CI 75470), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491).
Shimmering Champagne: Mica, C-12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Lactate, Ceresin, Silica, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Methicone, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
The sponge tip applicators at both ends apply each shadow unevenly, so I have to spend a few extra minutes patting and blending them in, which wouldn’t be a bother if I didn’t also have to apply about four layers to see the colors on my NC 42 skin (lighter lovelies should be able to get away with one or two).
The brightening effect itself is super subtle, which I like, but for me, The Bright Side still seems like a lot of work for very little improvement. I love the name and like the idea, and perhaps if Tarte increased the amount of pigment and improved the applicators to help them apply the powders more evenly, I’d upgrade my point of view.
PRICE: $20
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jenn Staz says
Boo… I think a B- might be generous! I definitely won’t be checking this product out.
Karen says
Hi Jenn,
I think it’s fair. I love the idea, and while the color might not be pigmented enough for me, it could still work for other people.
Alanna says
I got this in the Tarte Radiant & Rested: Volume II set from Sephora this summer, and I’m wearing it right now! I’m very pale, so I don’t have any issues with pigmentation, but I do find that the application can be kind of uneven. It’s fine on its own, but layered over another eyeshadow the sponge applicator can make things look a bit patchy! So I find that it works great for a “no makeup” look which is I guess what they were going for with that collection. Thanks for the review, Karen! 🙂
Karen says
You’re welcome, Alanna. I’m glad that this works for you for those no makeup look days.
Happy Sunday!
Tracy says
I’m pale too and this works great for me! It actually stays put pretty well. It’s pigmented enough for me too.
Nika says
I never saw the point of using brighteners on the ‘outer corners’…
Neeraj says
i have always loved eye brighteners and this looks amazing. Have u tried Mally beauty?
Melli says
Aww that’s too bad. I looove Tarte, but I don’t want to spend money on something that takes extra steps to make it work. :/ Thanks for the review though!
casual-beauty.blogspot.com
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
Ahhh that’s a pity 🙁 Their spring collection was really looking good, but a lot of the stuff is apparently pretty gimmicky. We want something as fool-proof as your finishing powder and blushes if you’re listening, Tarte!
Nina says
it does sound promising! hopefully v2.;0 will be better? 😀
Phyrra says
I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it before, but I love your hair with the streak in it 🙂