If You Like Tarte Cosmetics,
Here's Where to Get Them!
Tarte Cosmetics
I love Tarte products and, while I can find them at various online stores, I would rather just go to Tarte Cosmetics and stock up on my favorites. The site is simple, has all the newest products, and is no more expensive than other websites. Often, their specials make their prices the best on the net for Tarte cosmetics.
What Tarte Cosmetics Sells
All the latest and most popular Tarte cosmetic products. The site not only sells the products, it also has sections for What's New, Tarte Talk, (A forum to discuss anything and everything Tarte), Site and Product FAQs, a web log area that the employees write in which isn't just Tarte related, a Tarte locator to find the products offline, a section for events and press on Tarte cosmetics, and info on Tarte parties. It's a fun and informative site!
Navigation
Before I begin, I want to note that, if you mistakenly type in www.tarte.com, you will be taken to someone's personal page but they have a link at the top that will redirect you to Tarte Cosmetics. Once there, you will see eight big blocks with graphics in them indicating various areas of the site. The shopping areas are Shop Tarte and What's New.
Click on one of the blocks and you will be taken to a page with a category listing of all the products if you go to the Shop Tarte area and all the new products in the What's New section. Be warned. There is a loud song that plays when you first click on the block and, if you have your speakers up, it WILL make you jump if you don't know it is coming. It doesn't loop so turn your volume off until it is over if you want. Or if you really hate it, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the scroll bar to turn it off. I find it pretty catchy but it is now embedded in my brain and I don't even hear it anymore.
You will see whatever the current specials are (Usually shipping deals and percentages off certain products) and then can scroll down the side to choose items by category. There are pics of the newest and best selling items on the page as well.
Click a category — Eyes, Lips, Cheeks, Face, Body, or Tools — and you are on your way.
The category will list all the products vertically down the page. Click on one you like and a larger photo will appear with a description and price. If you want to buy the item, choose a shade if necessary, and add it to your cart.
All products have the ingredients listed which is a plus for many people who have allergies or sensitive skin. If a product is out of stock, you will be told to check back at a later time for availability. You can't sign up for an email update or anything. That is the one major flaw with this site. Often, its most popular products are on backorder.
Once you have completed your shopping, you go to the checkout. You can create an account which will give you ability to contribute to the forum as well as put you on their mailing list for specials, sweepstakes, and sales or proceed without an account. I suggest signing up for an account. You will get some great email deals. I have never had to pay shipping or full price since I signed up. I wait for the free shipping and money off emails to stock up.
Right now, if you buy three products or more, you get free shipping. That special has been applicable for months so it may be a permanent thing. If you are at a loss for a third product, buy the pencil sharpener for two bucks. You'll save $3.00 on shipping because all orders are a flat $5.00 unless you buy three or more items.
Whether you choose to sign up for an account or proceed without doing so, you must supply your name, address, phone number, and email address. Those signing up for an account will also pick a user name and password for later use.
They take Visa, MasterCard, Am Ex, and Discover Card. Input your details and you're done. You will get a confirmation email and a shipping email.
Orders usually take a week or so but my last one took quite a while and I had to write to customer service. It was during the holidays and I suppose they were swamped. They got right back to me and apologized and promised that my order would arrive any day and it did the next day, packed nicely and looking very expensive (which Tarte Cosmetics are!).
My Experience
I have had several experiences on the site. I love to see the latest Tarte products and read what others have to say about them. The forum is invaluable because it isn't censored and, if a product doesn't live up to consumers' expectations, they will say so on the forum.
I like shopping on the site because it is fun. Rather than just have a shade chart, they have a shade chart with the names of stars who have the same skin tone so you can more easily pick the correct shade. That chart has helped me greatly!
The only problem I have with the site is that items are often out of stock. I am waiting for their Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara to come back in stock even though I could get it elsewhere right now. I want to get their mineral bronzer too so I will just wait a week and get them both and another item because three's a charm on that site.
Once out of the many times I have shopped at Tarte Cosmetics, I had a longer than usual wait for my products. It was Christmastime and I suspect they were swamped. Customer Service was great, replying quickly and then following up to be sure all was well.
Lastly, Tarte (which really spells its name in all lower case letters but I can't bring myself to do it), proudly proclaims, "Tarte cosmetics, established in 2000, has not tested and will never test any product in the tarte cosmetics line on animals." That is a big plus for animal lovers!
Shipping and Returns
Shipping for one or two products is a flat $5.00. Shipping is free for three or more products in the US. They do not ship internationally.
You can return any Tarte product within 30 days of receipt for a refund or exchange. You must pay to return the products(s) but you will not be charged return shipping for exchanges nor will you be penalized if you didn't pay for shipping. You will get the full refund.
Contact Info
You can email Customer Service at info@tartecosmetics.com.
They have an online contact form and you can also write to them at:
tarte cosmetics
224 W 35 Street, Ste. 1000
New York, NY 10001
They do not display a telephone number which is a negative in my book for any website. However, after ordering so many times and dealing with Customer Service via email, I have no qualms about shopping on the site. They won't rip you off or leave you hanging.
Conclusion
If you like Tarte products, their official website is a fun, hip one to check out all their offerings. With little or no shipping costs, fun color charts, lots of info on products in the form of the forum and other media, and solid customer service, it makes sense to buy from Tarte Cosmetics.
The lack of a phone number and the out of stock products hurt the site though so I am giving it 4 stars. Go forth and shop, you Tarte! ;)
Recommended:
Yes
