Product Review -- Tarte Energy Noir Clay Palette

I need another palette like a I need a hole in the head.

And I need another Tarte palette like I need a second hole in the head.

Which is to say, not at all, not even a little bit.

But I am weak (all the holiday sets and palettes are seriously trying my will power at the moment!) and when I saw the Energy Noir Clay Palette, I caved.

I just love Tarte's palettes and palettes that contain shadows and blush are especially tempting to me, so this hit plenty of my buttons.

First of all, the packaging is lovely. The palette comes in a small rectangular compact made of plastic. The lid features a pretty purple design and it's trimmed in gold. Inside, there is a decent size mirror.

Tarte Energy Noir Clay Palette

It also comes with a card that details a couple looks using the shades in the palette as well.

I purchased the palette from QVC, and it also can with a double-ended brush.

There are eight eye shadows: Full Moon, matte beige; Charged Up, a shimmery silvery taupe; Dark Drive, a matte chocolate brown; Stone Unturned, a matte taupe; Up Too Slate, a shimmery mid-tone purple-y taupe; Misty Mauve, a matte mauve; Power Plum, a dark matte plum, and Lunar Eclipse, a matte black.

There is also a blush -- Unearthed, a matte nude pink -- and an eye/face highlighter -- Crystal Spark, a shimmery golden champagne.

Tarte Energy Noir Palette

Tarte Energy Noir Palette

From l. to r.: Full Moon, Charged Up, Dark Drive, Stone Unturned, Up Too Slate, Misty Mauve

From l. to r.: Power Plum & Lunar Eclipse

From l. to r.: Unearthed and Crystal Spark

I am a big fan of purples and taupes, so this palette is right up my alley. Charged Up and Up Too Slate are my favorites -- I've worn them both as lid and crease shades. Full Moon is an ideal highlight shade, though I also like it on the lid with a little of Misty Mauve (another pretty shade!) through the crease for a simple, soft look.

The matte shades aren't the best I've ever worked with, but they still apply and blend well.

The blush in Unearthed is a pretty neutral option that would work with any eye look. Crystal Spark is a gorgeous shimmery shade, but it can be intense as a face highlight so you need to blend it well across your cheekbones.

All in all, I think this is a really nice travel palette. I don't necessarily think that it's a must-have, but if you're drawn to the shades inside, I would definitely recommend it.

You can purchase the palette for $38 at Ulta, Sephora, QVC (with brush), and the Tarte website.

Have you tried the Tarte Energy Noir Clay Palette? Are you a fan? Which shades are your favorites?