Tarte Gives Lashes the Midas Touch with New “Strike a Pose” Set
Ever since L’Oréal decided to stop selling Shu Uemura cosmetics within the United States, I’ve been on the hunt for an eyelash curler that even nears the quality of the cult favorite Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. I’ve tried Tweezerman’s eyelash curler, some Sephora brand options, a Japonesque curler, and so on and so forth, but I’ve generally been disappointed, muttering (half jokingly) about how I’m going to write “a strongly worded letter” to L’Oréal about their disappointing decision regarding Shu Uemura. My only comfort has been Tarte’s Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler, which is ergonomically designed so that its handles are easy to grip and you only need to apply a moderate amount of pressure on the thumb-sized pads for the mechanism to hinge together and the curler’s mouth to shut close, gripping lashes in the process. Out of all the curlers I’ve tried thus far, this one has been my favorite (next to the Shu Uemura curler, of course). For one thing, I love how the handles have wide pads that curve inward then outward along their bottom edges, so that the back handle almost perfectly accommodates the thumb, making for a more comfortable experience. I also appreciate that the mouth area curves nicely, following the natural shape of the lash line, and that it’s wide enough to complement many an eye shape. And I’m thankful for the fact that the eyelash curler grips lashes without tugging at them, pinching the tender skin on the eyelids, or having hair wind up caught in the mechanism.
If, like me, you’re a fan of Tarte’s eyelash curler, then you’ll love this: for a limited time only, the eco-friendly beauty company is offering its customers the chance to go for the gold with the Tarte Strike A Pose Limited-Edition Statement Lash Set ($19 at Sephora.com), which incorporates the Picture Perfect eyelash curler in a limited-edition metallic gold shade and, along with it, a tube of the Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara in a gold tube with an embossed snakeskin pattern. Both items are packaged inside a glamorous window box with a golden cap at the top and a golden base, making them look like they’re museum-worthy pieces in a display case.
The paraben- and phtalate-free Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara features ProVitaminB to condition lashes and make them appear thicker; nourishing castor seed oil; beeswax to coat lashes and lock in the nutrients infused into the hairs; and mineral pigments to give lashes intensity and depth. The mascara makes lashes appear denser and more dramatic. It lasts all day long and doesn’t clump (hooray for that!) but it does occasionally flake, which is its one major drawback. The flaking isn’t extreme — it’s not like your lashes will have a case of dandruff or anything of the sort — but you might find a random black speck on your cheek as the day goes by and realize that it’s a flyaway speck of mascara. Still, it’s a nice mascara and one of the few eco-friendly options on the market that does, in fact, deliver dramatic result.
Even if you’re only buying this set for the eyelash curler, it’s a wise investment — and that gold color is so sleek, who can resist?
I used the eyelash curler and mascara in the Tarte Strike a Pose set every single day during New York Fashion Week. As you’ll hopefully see in the photos below, my lashes were always perfectly curled and the mascara gave my lashes more definition and oomph without aging me too much (which can happen with a heavy mascara). Check it out:
