I’m so excited about some new products and one I just discovered from eco-chic tarte cosmetics. After I saw the photos of the models done up by tarte makeup artists at Hayden Harnett for New York Fashion Week, I had to try some of the products used, because I wanted that gorgeous, luminous look they had around the eyes.

Rock Star Concealer

I got a sample of dark circle defense ($32), tarte’s latest concealer. I’ve tried many a concealer (and been disappointed by many); and let me tell you, this one is a rock star. Even if I have enough sleep, I look tired due to under eye circles. dark circle defense seriously helps me look more rested and healthier.

It has a fabulous creamy consistency that blends like a dream and covers circles incredibly well. Yet somehow, I didn’t have a problem with it settling into the fine lines around my eyes – something that’s often a problem with really creamy concealers. You must try this.

dark circle defense is also supposed to reduce puffiness. I don’t have to deal much with puffiness so I can’t say how well it does with that. But according to tarte, every single one of the subjects who tried this reported improvement in four weeks.

dark circle defense is made with great ingredients, like honey extract and vitamin E, and is free of parabens, petro-chemicals, phthalates, sulfates, glycol, fragrance, gluten, dyes, talc, or genetically modified ingredients.

The price seems more expensive than tarte’s usual price point, perhaps because it comes with a great, cruelty-free brush. But I think it’s worth every penny. It would be great if they offered this without the brush for anyone buying a replacement concealer, because it’s not like you really need more the one brush.

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

I also just discovered rest assured ($22), a brightener that makes me look even more refreshed and better rested. It’s two products in one. On one end, there’s a light nude-pink pencil. I apply this in the waterline and on the inner corners of my eyes (just outside the tear duct). It diminishes redness and looks much more natural than white eye pencils.

On the other end, there’s a sheer pink highlighter that gives a natural-looking glow. I dot a bit of this on the inner corners of my eyes (a little farther out from where I apply the pencil), on the brow bone, and on my cheek bones. If I’m not wearing any eye shadow, I also apply it on my eyelid. Everything brightens up so nicely (I get a similar look as the before and after pics above from the tarte website).

The goods are made with shea butter to promote skin elasticity, soothing cocoa seed butter, and mineral pigments that are supposed to soothe and soften skin, and are free of petro chemicals, pthalates, gluten, and genetically modified ingredients.

She’s a Contender

tarte has also introduced an eye primer that gives Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion a run for its money. lifted natural eye primer with Firmatol ($20) does an excellent job helping eye makeup stay on longer, reduces creasing, and boosts the vibrancy of shadows applied on top. What will probably get your attention the most though is the added bonus of a firming complex that’s supposed to tighten eyelids and the surrounding eye area to make eyes look younger.

At this point, I don’t have a lot of lines around my eyes so I can’t say, OMG, you won’t believe the giant difference this made. But it definitely seems to help.

While it’s meant for the eyes, I also applied it along the laugh lines between my nose and mouth, where my lines are more noticeable, and I could see a difference immediately. The lines didn’t disappear, but they did look softer (FYI, those aren’t my eyes to the right. They’re also from the tarte website).

lifted is made with Firmatol, a clinically tested, patented blend of ingredients that includes ginseng extract to reduce wrinkles. lifted contains no fragrance, petro-chemicals, parabens, phthalates, gluten, genetically modified ingredients, sulfates, dyes, or talc.

Eco-bonus: the packaging is made with EcoPure, a recyclable, non-toxic resin additive that allows plastics to biodegrade in one to five years.

Where to Get the Goods

Tarte products are available from Sephora, and at beauty.com, amazon.com, and tartecosmetics.com.

Do Tell

Do you have trouble with under eye circles? puffiness? Do you wake up looking tired or look exhausted by the end of the workday? Do tell.

P.S. Check out the Beauty Resources page for some sweet beauty deals from amazon.com, beauty.com, Sephora, and more.