On my first order from Tarte I was given the option of adding a sample to my cart for an extra few cents. One of the options was a deluxe sized mascara, for 38cents. Um, how could I turn that down!? Considering the same size is in packs for over $20 with one other item, it was definitely a bargain.
So as it's a deluxe I can't comment on the original packaging, just what I have. It's pretty much the same as the big tube with the gold lid and black tube, only the wand doesn't twist or screw out like most products. It pulls off, like a perfume cap. I wasn't aware of this and thought it was a dud until I emailed Tarte CS. None of their other mini's have this design so I'm not quite sure what they were thinking with it.
The wand, once you get over pulling it out, is quite long and very nearly reaches the bottom of the 2.5ml tube. The bristles aren't too soft, but they aren't stabby hard either, they're pretty much just right. There is also a lot of them. There's row upon row of "big" bristles and in between each row there is a row of smaller bristles, which makes for a thicker brush and a better application in my opinion.
The formula is really nice too. It's not too dry that you have to apply a second coat immediately, but it's not so wet you have to give it a few months to dry out. You can basically do both eyes and then it's still 'wet' enough for a second coat, which definitely makes the mascara and your lashes better. It also smells a wee bit like sunscreen.
Once you get over the fact you have nowhere to wipe the excess mascara off, as there is no lip it goes through to get the tip of the wand, application begins. Immediately the brush seems to grab all your lashes and hold them close, like greeting a dear friend after many years apart. The first coat is even and doesn't clump lashes together.
On the second coat, the lashes look slightly more clumped but the lashes as a whole look more filled out and thicker. There's the lift you'd get applying any mascara, the slight curving of the lashes, but I don't think that is anything special. Any more coats and I think you would get spider lashes but if that's what you're into then dive right in my friend. I truly enjoy this mascara and I would repurchase the full size!
This mascara really surprised me I decided to try the smaller mascara that came in a set. I found it most definitely does what it says it coated my lashes with ease no time wasted with messy clumpy lashes, it provides the length that I need for fluttery lashes without looking fake it always looks natural with wear. The brush is a nice size it’s not bloated like some mascaras I have used. No dry clumps throughout the day and no smear effect. I would buy this mascara again.