For the holiday season I’ve partnered with Sephora to feature one of their exclusives the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Bestie ($20 for 0.20 oz/6 ml) with my real life bestie Laura. She’s been a long-time friend and I literally do not know what I would do without her. We met during our college days in San Diego and were roommates one summer during a study abroad trip to Oxford. We became fast friends and even with all the changes in our lives, careers, relationships and moving, we’ve kept in touch for over a decade. No matter how busy we get, every year before Christmas we have a tradition of getting together for a girl’s day including a fun present exchange, lunch, shopping and girl talk. This past weekend the first stop for our girl’s day out was Alfred’s Tea Shop in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect place to hang with a bestie and I thought it fitting we showcase the Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie there as well.
This particular color has special limited-edition packaging and is part of the Sephora Holiday Kiss Collection. The formula is quick-drying, full coverage, transfer proof liquid lipstick and stays put for an impressive amount of time which I find fitting for the color name. Friendships that stand the test of time are something I find hard to come by the older I get so I really value those who stick by you no matter what life throws your way.
For those not familiar with this product, the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint is one of the latest lip launches from Tarte. It comes in 20 other shades but Bestie is the only one with special-edition packaging on the twist-off cap. It comes with a slightly beveled sponge tip applicator and is easy to apply with precision around the edges. Bestie is described as a “deep nude shade” and since the color “nude” pulls different on everyone depending on lip tone and complexion, I found it interesting to see that on me it pulls the tiniest bit mauve depending on the light while on my friend Laura it pulls more true to the tube which is a deep nude with a hint of warmth. I have more medium olive yellow tones while Laura is a bit lighter than me with more pinkish tones (she wears Armani Designer Lift in 4.5 while I’m usually a match to Luminous Silk in 6).
For formula reference, the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint dries to a matte finish, has full coverage and is super opaque. You only need a tiny bit to cover the entire lip and once it sets it does not budge or transfer for hours. There’s no detectable scent with this formula. For a quick comparison the other lip formulas from Tarte:
- Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paints have a more whipped velvety feel and on the lips it feels like it never really sets as it does not dry down in texture. The coverage is the same in the sense it covers the lip entirely and offers full rich color. For those who love the original, no need to worry, Tarte says they’ll keep the original “living on.”
- Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints offer full coverage with high gloss shine. All three formulas offer rich color with full coverage.
Bottom line is the new formula = long lasting. Also if you found that the original line was limited for medium shades in the neutral territory, the new formula has a lot more options for those of use who are nude lip obsessed. For both me and Laura it lasted on the lips from early morning to late afternoon (even lasted through lunch, a few macarons and drinks). Also unlike many other liquid lipsticks – the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte formula did not dry out my lips and by the next day my lips were not peeling like they do with most others.
Both of us wearing Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie:
Below you can see a swatch and a close up of the sponge tip applicator. It has a slight bevel in the center to mold to the curves of your lip, tip has the perfect shape that allows you to get the color right along the outer lines for precise application.
Bottom line is I highly recommend the formula of the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint. I’ll be checking out the other colors when they launch in stores at Sephora – although I may order a couple more sight unseen as the color Bestie is one of the most perfect nudes I’ve ever tried. Do note that the one shown in this post is a Sephora Exclusive and also limited-edition. I think the bright pink and orange packaging on the cap is fun and festive. I hope you enjoyed this post! Have you tried this formula yet? What’s your favorite liquid lipstick of the moment? If you have any fun holiday traditions you share with your bestie let me know in the comments!
Photos by Jessica Alexander Photography.
Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post and thanks to all my readers who support the brands that help support this blog which allows me to do what I love.
