Fried Green Wednesdays: Tarte’s Cheek Stains

 

I have always wanted to try a cheek stain. However, being a messy person by nature, I would avoid messing with liquids and gels that have the word “stain” in their title.  Finally, the cosmetics world has realized the ‘incredibly clumsy’ demographic and created something just for me. Actually, the product has just improved and it works in my favor.

I had the opportunity recently to try Tarte’s cheek stain, in the colors Cloud 9 and Sunkissed. The lively purple packaging of Cloud 9 caught my eye first so I happily ripped it open. No unnecessary packaging means you are really getting your money’s worth here. The pale lilac gel looks like a cream and had the scent of grape candy that was so refreshing I almost wanted to lick it. I settled for a Jolly Rancher instead. The presentation of the product alone made me feel cheerful, and I hadn’t even removed the protective cover yet! A few dabs and a quick blending job with my fingertips and I was on my way. The creamy color is light and smooth. The gel stain easily blended into my skin and can be re-applied to add more if the initial color didn’t have enough oomph. The soft pinkish lilac tint was perfect on my pale skin and added just the right amount of shimmer to give me a fresh look. This is the perfect color for a spring or summer day with a light eye color and a nude lip, add a little eyeliner and you’re ready to go out dancing. Everything about it felt youthful and vibrant, without trying too hard. It just begs to be worn with a sundress and espadrilles, even in the dead of winter.

Sunkissed also proved to have a pleasing scent, with the hint of coconut that suggested lounge chairs and piña coladas (virgin for me, thanks). The texture was much more like a gel, it brought to mind a well made Jell-o jiggler. Okay, that was definitely the mom in me talking. I had high hopes for this shade. As a person of NO color, I spend my summers heavily coated in sunscreen (as we all should) and the sun never has the chance to get anywhere near my skin, much less kiss it. There is nothing worse than being utterly pale in all your summer photos. Except, of course, being a bright, painful, pink color.

Hallelujah!  A few quick dabs and my natural color of ‘death warmed over’ turned into simply ‘warm’! A perfectly sunned color without the powdery look of a traditional bronzer. The product sinks right into your skin and gives you a happy, and healthy, glow. Maybe not as bronzing on darker skin tones, but it would be a beautiful hint of natural color for you ladies that aren’t the same color as the paper in your printer. I wore this over my tinted moisturizer, I even wore it without my tinted moisturizer, and it stayed wonderfully. I needed a quick touch up late afternoon, though I have oily skin and have yet to find a powder that performs this well.

I have truly found a new staple, and coming from someone who has been devoted to the same cheek color for years, that means a lot. Next I would love to try Tickled. And Blushing Bride. And Dollface…..Aw, heck, I can easily imagine myself in all of them!  The color selections are well rounded and well formulated, they truly cater to every skin tone. I dare you to check these cheek stains out, and then try to decide on just one!