Do you remember that tag video that used to go around on YouTube? The "YouTube Made Me Buy It" Tag? Well, if I ever decide to make that video, this palette will definitely be included in it. Today we're going to be discussing the Tarte x Grav3yardgirl Swamp Queen Palette.

When I first heard about this collaboration, I definitely underestimated it. I wasn't counting down the days until its launch or stalking the Tarte website when it finally released. The pictures I had seen of the palette looked very ordinary to me...almost TOO ordinary. It looked like any other Tarte palette, so I really had no interest in it.

Then in came my viewers and the peer pressure! I'll be honest, I completely crumbled under the pressure to review this palette. It seems like MANY of you had the same concerns as I did. An ordinary looking makeup palette with a YouTube celebrity's name on it- could it really be all that it's cracked up to be? Well, today I'm going to let you know!

Tarte collaborated with the YouTuber, Grav3yardgirl, to create a mini collection of products. There is a face palette and two shades of the Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint. The palette retails for $45, and can be purchased anywhere Tarte makeup is sold, such as Sephora, Ulta, Macy's, etc. The Lip Paints retail for $20 each. I didn't purchase either of the Lip Paints because I'm just not the biggest fan of the formula. It doesn't dry down like a typical liquid lipstick and it smears and smudges so easily.

Let's just move into discussing the packaging of the Swamp Queen Palette. When I saw the promo pics for the collection, the packaging of the palette didn't appeal to me. I'm not a huge fan of rustic, vintage makeup (but that's just my personal opinion). With that being said, once I got my hands on this palette and was able to feel the quality for myself, I was extremely impressed. The outer packaging is made of cardboard, but the wood grain pattern is actually embossed into it. The outside of the palette feels very luxe. The inside of the palette is a metallic gold plastic, and it feels very secure. There is also a large mirror with the saying "Believe in yourself. Love yourself. Embrace your individuality" etched on it. The mirror doesn't prop itself up, but it's a nice inclusion. The palette does have a nice weight to it, and it doesn't feel flimsy at all. There is also an eyeshadow shader brush included in this palette. It's nothing unique or extraordinary, but it's a nice addition.

Now let's move into discussing the actual makeup. There are three face products- one bronzer, one blush, and one highlighter. There are also nine eyeshadows that seem to be laid out in trios (if you look at the rows going horizontally). All of the powders have a very strong vanilla scent. You can't smell it once it's on your face, but it's very evident when opening and using the palette itself.

Let's jump into talking about the face products:

1) Sweet Tea- Medium, warm bronze with slight golden shimmer. The shimmer in this color is visible in the pan, but it doesn't seem to transfer to the skin. I think it would work as an all-over face bronzer for most skin tones.

2) Does This Thing Really Work?- Medium pink with a coral undertone and golden shimmer. This is a very flattering blush color, even on my tan skin tone. There is shimmer in this color, but it looks like a lit-from-within glow on the cheeks.

3) Gator Wings- Light, pearly champagne with silver chunky glitter. This highlighter is incredibly pigmented, and I do feel like the overall tone is more geared towards a light to medium skin tone (although it still looks pretty on my tan skin tone, as well). I do wish they skipped out on adding the silver chunky glitter because, ultimately, it just makes the powder a little more difficult to work with and blend evenly on the cheeks.

Now onto discussing the nine eyeshadows that are included in the palette:

1) #SFS- Metallic light pink. Not the most pigmented shade of the bunch, but it has a very pretty iridescence to it.

2) Natural Peaches- Matte, light peachy-brown. This would work as a nice transition color for light to medium skin tones.

3) Dogman- Mostly matte, medium-dark warm brown. I say this color is "mostly matte" because it does have little specks of golden sparkle, which is really only visible in the pan. As soon as it hits the skin, most of the sparkle vanishes.

4) Big Baby- Matte, off-white. This is probably the least pigmented eyeshadow in the palette, although it doesn't particularly bother me. I would only use this as a highlight color (under the brows, etc.), and it works perfectly for that purpose.

5) Sassy Bun- Metallic, medium bronze. I love this color! It's probably the best performing shade in the entire palette. Incredibly silky texture and very pigmented.

6) Sippy Sippy- Matte dark brown base with golden glitter specks. Again, while this shade looks very sparkly in the pan, the majority of the gold glitter vanishes once applied.

7) Haunting- Mostly matte, light mauve. This color works nicely as a transition color for purple eye looks.

8) Uncommon- Metallic, purple taupe. Another shade that has a beautiful formula. Very smooth, creamy, and pigmented.

9) Mancat- Matte, dark plum. Very pigmented and blendable.

I have mixed emotions about this palette. I do think the quality of the makeup is very good. Everything is decently pigmented and very usable. With that being said, my main concern is the uniqueness of the color selection. This looks just like any other Tarte palette on the market. I definitely wouldn't have even considered purchasing it if Bunny's name wasn't on it. For me, that's a problem.

If you are a makeup beginner or haven't splurged on a high-end palette in the past, I do think the quality of this one is great. You get a nice variety of wearable colors, both in eyeshadows and face products. There is a good amount of product in the palette, and it is made in the USA. However, if you are a makeup collector or have purchased makeup palettes in the past, you probably already have colors very similar to everything in here. If you simply want to support Tarte and/or Grav3yardgirl, I don't think you'll be disappointed in the quality. If you are looking for a unique product or something that has never been seen before, you might want to look elsewhere! :)

xoxo Eshani a.k.a. TotalMakeupJunkie101