The Coolest Kid in the Tropics is Tarte's Eco-Glam "Rainforest of the Sea" 4-in-1 Setting Mist

If you read my blog more often, you’d probably know that a product I absolutely cannot live without in the tropics, is a makeup setting spray. Recently, on a Friday night in Singapore’s Clubstreet, where you’re typically more busy sweating than partying, someone (that obviously does not read my blog) asked me how it was possible that my makeup always remained so flawless on nights like these. Setting spray, baby! Although I have quite a vast collection of these products at home to bulletproof my makeup, this week I just couldn’t leave Sephora without getting myself Tarte’s "Rainforest of the Sea" 4-in-1 Setting Mist. Because of the 4-in-1 feature that I’m curious about, but maybe even more because everything about Tarte and the Rainforest of the Ocean collection is just too cool. 

First of all, I wish there would be more brands like Tarte. In fact, all brands should be like Tarte, combining glamorous makeup and naturally derived, good-for-you ingredients. The brand started in 2000 and offers eco-chic, cruelty-free cosmetics & hypoallergenic, vegan skincare. In my opinion, any brand that still does test on animals is seriously behind. However, every now and then I do -with a feeling of guilt and regret- purchase a product of not so cruelty-free brands like Lancôme and MAC, because in the past, quality and eco-friendly/cruelty-free didn't go hand in hand. This is not the case with Tarte; the quality of the products is top notch, mostly even better than aforementioned established brands and the likes.

What’s also really cool is that Tarte is not just a cruelty-free company, but also support the communities and environments where their most iconic ingredients are sourced. Key ingredients include Amazonian clay an Maracuja oil, which explains their work with cooperatives in the rainforest. Tarte also helps nourish the precious ocean ecosystem that brings them their Rainforest of the Sea complex (made from marine botanicals, like antioxidant-rich algae), by ensuring that sea turtles, some its most majestic creatures, are protected.

The Rainforest of the Sea Collection, characterized by its aqua, purple and gold packaging, is huge and consists of both makeup and skincare. With products like a hydrating ‘Water Foundation’, an ‘Aquacealer’ concealer, a ‘Quench Lip Rescue’ lipstick and of course the 4-in-1 setting mist, this collection is all about hydration, glow and skin.

The 4-in-1 Setting Mist, that was launched in 2016, acts as a primer, makeup setting spray, hydrating mist and skin refresher. The mist has a really zesty herbal scent to it, that reminds me of…citrus peels lying around in a hammam. Seriously. Pleasant and invigorating scent though. The top notes fade after 2-3 minutes, followed by milder aquatic notes. It promises to lock down makeup for 12 hours and is formulated with antioxidant-rich algae to help smooth fine lines, wrinkles and reduce the appearance of pores. Apart from ‘setting’ makeup, this spray gives a beautiful glow and makes foundation look softer and more natural.

Due to the scent, using the spray is a really refreshing sensation, yet the only thing I like less about this product is that the spray doesn't seem to come out very evenly (Urban Decay's setting sprays on the other hand do spray evenly and steadily); it comes out more like a spritz with varying amounts of product coming out per spray.

So far, I haven’t tried whether the spray really makes makeup last for up 12 hours, but a long humid night of dining out in 32°C (90°C) at La Braceria in Greenwood was good enough of a test to me, that this spray passed it with distinction.

"Rainforest of the Sea" 4-in-1 Setting Mist
Full Size 75ml: 38 SGD
Travel Size 30ml: 20 SGD

Available exclusively at Sephora and through Tarte's own website (ships to pretty much all countries in SEA!)