Cargo Mediterranean Set

Front and Back of Cargo Mediterranean Set Postcard bag

While I was circling the aisles in Sephora a week ago or so, my eyes skimmed across an absolutely gorgeous blush (see below). I swatched it on my finger and swooned. I never used a Cargo product before (except for Lash Activator mascara that unfortunately bled like a mother when I cried lol) but the blush was just so pretty I couldn't resist. For those money-conscious people, I could have purchased the blush by itself for $26 whereas the set was (I believe) $34. Yeah, I'm going to get the blush, a mini-gloss, full size mascara, mini-eyeliner and a good sized eye shadow duo for only $6 more.
As I mentioned the set includes:

• Cargo Better than Waterproof Mascara in Black .33 fl oz
• Cargo Classic Lipgloss in Morocco 0.105 oz
• Cargo Swimmables Eye Pencil in "summer blue" (navy-ish blue) 0.028
• Cargo Shadow Duo 0.123 oz
• Cargo Blush in Mendocino 0.314 oz

I did some foot work (or finger work) for you guys.

 

Better than Waterproof Mascara retails at my local Sephora for $23 for the same size .33 fl oz. but on Ulta.com and Cargocosmetics.com it's priced at $20.  It's a basic black color that you'll find just about anywhere.  To me, the formula is a bit thick.  I wish the scraper on the inside of the tube did a better job because I get so much excess product and it can be a tad bit messy if I'm not careful.  On a good day this mascara applies nicely. It might be because of my coloring but the black definitely shows up well.  I do notice it lengthens pretty well.  However I have noticed maybe slightly more than half the time, the mascara can get clumpy and become difficult to separate the lashes.  For those of you that have them you can try running a clean mascara wand (spoolie) through your lashes and that may fix the problem.  I just don't keep those on hand.  I don't know if I care for the formula.  I don't remember most or all waterproof mascaras having this consistency but since it's supposed to be "better than waterproof" that could be the cause.  It's slightly heavy but only in the "I know I'm wearing mascara" way.  It doesn't BOTHER me exactly, just makes me aware I have product on my eyes which may not be the worst thing in the world.

 

Whole Collection

I think Morocco lipgloss is such a pretty color.  It's similar to Mendocino blush.  It's a semi-opaque wearable reddened berry gloss with what looks like silver micro-shimmer in the tube but some bits seem gold on my lips.  I went back to Sephora hoping for a full size version but I couldn't find one. Disappointing.  As I mentioned it's only semi-opaque.  I'm on the hunt for a perfect complementing lipstick to apply underneath.  I found Benefit in Wanna? but that pulls a little too berry and less red.  I only dab it on because Wanna? can be a little strong against my pale skin then slick Morocco over it.  Anyone have any suggestions or what works for them please feel free to post in the comments below or email me and I'll add them to this post.  It gives me normal wear time for glosses which is about 3-4 hours or so without eating/drinking.



Top L = blended Mendocino Blush, Top R = concentrated Mendocino Blush
Middle = eye shadow duo,
Bottom L = Morocco gloss, Bottom R = navy-ish blue Swimmables liner

The Swimmables Eye Pencil isn't exactly a pencil by normal standards.  At least when I think of pencils I think of those harder formula pencils.  This reminds me a bit of the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils because it's definitely smoother than the harder pencils that you might find in a drugstore or with other brands so it glides on smooth but it can cluster if you know what I mean. In my dealings with this particular liner, I don't find it smudgeable but rather smearable if I try.  Once it sets after a few seconds it's locked on.  I get good wear on my waterline but for my tastes it's a little too thick for my lashline (I just prefer liquid or gel for that).  Cargo didn't give this color a name as far as I can see but I call this "Summer blue" because it's a medium leaning dark ocean blue that always seems to pop up in collections in the summer months.  I can't tell if it's chock full of teeny tiny micro-shimmer or if it's an overall sheen.  On your lids it definitely appears as a sheen but a lovely one.



Check out the glitter/shimmer in the gloss, eye shadow and blush!

I couldn't find a name for the colors in the eyeshadow duos.  I noticed from the display people seemed to favor the gold over the brown. I have to say I'm more attracted to the gold as well.  It has a beautiful but subtly shimmer plus sheen.  It can leave a little clumping and fallout.  I just put a drop or two of water on my brush and tapped to remove the excess before applying.  The other color is a warm brown with a little bit of gold shimmer but it's subtle.  This one has hardly any clumping and fallout and I also noticed this one doesn't perform as well wet.  Both these colors are nicely blendable.  I like this shadow duo even though I haven't figured out a look I want to do with them. 
Last but not least, Mendocino Blush!  This is the biggest reason I bought this set.  I LOVE this blush.  As mentioned above it's 0.314 oz and according to the clerk at Sephora when I called, that's the same as a full sized blush for $26.  That's also the same size as my Cargo Bronzer in Medium (review available ) that retails at my local Sephora for $28.  Like the Morocco gloss, the fine shimmer in this look gold when applied but also I see silver as well.  It applies very smoothly and I find this plenty pigmented.  I only lightly pat my brush into the pan, tap the excess (though there is little crumbling) and blend. What I like about this color is it's not just a run-of-the-mill blush but it's flattering in the way it gives off almost a bronzed glow.  It works well with the bronzer I chose from Cargo and this blush has been added to my daily makeup routine.  All that coming from someone who up until a month or so ago didn't even buy blushes!

Overall I say this set is great and definitely worth the money. You can find it at Sephora stores, Ulta stores including Ulta.com and Cargo.