Chances are you’ve heard of Tarte Cosmetics and you may immediately think of Shape Tape – their award-winning concealer. But, with more than two decades in business developing good-for-you beauty products, they have so much more than that to offer. Started in 1999 by Maureen Kelly, the brand mantra is to create “high performance naturals”, meaning they use naturally derived ingredients with names you can pronounce (think acai, coconut, avocado and amazonian clay) that deliver results. I’ve been a fan of the brand for a couple of years now and shared some of my favorites in this post. Today I’m breaking down my thoughts some of their best sellers in a full Tarte Cosmetics review.
Tarte Cosmetics Review
While cruelty-free makeup brands are more mainstream today, Tarte was at the forefront of this movement twenty years ago. They’ve since created eight well-known lines of their brand, including tartelette (their cult classic palettes like this one), tarte Sea (their vegan line) and my personal favorite – Maracuja, which is made from superfruits. The collection includes the most juicy lipglosses and my all-time favorite setting spray that is apart of my daily makeup routine.
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Best Tarte Products
If I said I slowly fell in love with this brand, I’d be lying. The truth is, I tried a handful of their best sellers at the same time and ended up loving all of them more than I anticipated. I hate to say it, but I’m a bit of a packaging snob. My makeup bag is full of metallic compacts from Charlotte Tilbury. But, while the formulas of the Tarte brand are high-quality, the look and feel of them is more playful and fun with bright colors. Regardless, their takeover of my cosmetics case was swift. Below are 15 of my go-to’s, with my top 5 detailed first.
Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm
There’s a reason 750 people have voted this a 5-star gloss – it’s THAT good! This vegan lipgloss is high shine and feels amazing on your lips. I own it in 2 of their 14 colors, Hibiscus and Clear. Hibiscus is prettiest rose mauve color. But, the clear looks good on top of any lip color you own. This gloss is packed with 10 antioxidant-rich fruits and several oils, which help the lips look plump and reduces the look of lines. The formula is sheer, so you can layer this for more color.
Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
For the last year, this has been my #1 mascara, dethroning Legendary Lashes. It’s literally an instant eye lift in a tube, lengthening and volumizing every last little eyelash. This mascara is highly pigmented, which helps gives you that wide awake look by making your eyes look bigger. In addition to adding mega volume, it also conditions (thanks to the Provitamin B5 and Olive Esters). Then, the longer bristles on the application brush help add curl. I can attest to that from personal experience. My only gripe – use this sparingly on your bottom lashes as it will likely smudge. To boil it down, this mascara is one of those products you grab even when you’re only throwing on tinted moisturizer. It’s literally all you need. Not convinced? Give the mini size a whirl.
Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette
Want a little bit of color on your lids for the day? Try this palette. Want to go glam with a natural smokey eye. Try this palette. Yes, I’m aware it’s the same one! But, this set of a dozen beige, bronze and pink matte and metallic shares is incredibly versatile. Made from Amazonian clay, you’ll get a better, longer wear that takes you from day to night. It’s a one and done kind of product, which I love.
Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Another Tarte best seller, this blush gives you the most natural looking flush of color on your cheeks. One swipe is enough in my experience. But, the formula is very buildable if you want to apply a heavier hand. This product gives you a bit of an airbrushed look too which is helpful when you have imperfections or blemishes you need to hide. My go-to is the color Exposed. But, I also love Dazzled and Sensual. There are 13 to pick from for your perfect match.
Tarteist PRO Glow to Go Highlight Contour Palette
It’s quite possible my favorite bronzer and highlighter are in this palette. There is something so natural about the look and dimension you can create on your face with these shades. If applying makeup is tough for you or you’re afraid of overdoing it – this will make it easy. In fact, this is the product that made me love Tarte Cosmetics. It has become an immediate staple in my makeup routine. Made with a mix of Amazonian clay, vanilla extract, coconut and vitamin E, this will look as good at the end of the day as it does when you apply it in the morning. The payoff is minimal! I just adore this contour palette.
Hydroflex Serum Foundation
Given that serum is my favorite part of my skincare routine, I quickly added this foundation to my makeup regimen. It’s packed with 8 types of hyaluronic adic that hydrate your face and it goes on super light. It’s also made with another of my favorite ingredients from my Caudalie products, niacinamide, that helps brighten skin. This foundation is perfect on it’s own, but I also regularly blend it with my Armani Beauty Luminous Silk. My go-to shade is 32N!
Maracuja Miracle Mist Setting Spray
If you’re using another setting spray, it’s simple – throw it away. This setting spray is THE BEST. I was legitimately scared they were discontinuing it because I couldn’t find it on their site for a few weeks. But, alas – it’s back! Okay, why do I love this? A ton of reasons. Firstly, it’s super fine. So, it’s not dropping a ton of product on your face making you feel like you got splashed with water. Secondly, it’s a continuous spray. It has a 360 non-aerosol mister that puts the perfect amount of product on your skin to help your makeup stay put all day. And, it WORKS! The Maracuja Miracle Mist setting spray puts other cult favs to shame.
Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer
Bloggers have talked about this iconic product forever, but the original Shape Tape concealer was never right for my skin. Enter the Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer, and now I’m a believer. It’s saying a lot because I’m normally not a fan of any full coverage products. But, I love how creamy this is and that it doesn’t crease. To apply, I use a beautyblender sponge to dab it into my skin. This is loaded with lots of great ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, avocado butter, prickly pear and hyaluronic acid. I use shade N which is a little lighter than my skin so that I brighten up my under eye area.
Blush Authority Amazonian Clay Cheek Wardrobe
If you’re blush obsessed or know someone who is, they will love these stackable blush sets. They’re perfect to gift, but no one will judge you if you want to keep them to yourself. My fav is the gold compact which actually has a highlight, blush and bronzer. The best part of the Amazonian clay based products is the application. They go on super smooth and give you this airbrushed finish. These blush sets are just lovely.
Babassou Foundcealer™ Skincare Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF20
Touted as the first ever vegan skincare foundation, I’m a big fan of this product. The caveat is that I only use it when I’m taking photos for the blog or when I’m on important Zoom calls! Why, you ask? Well, I don’t use full coverage foundations. This one says it’s medium coverage, but it’s still a bit heavy for me since I lean more towards light coverage or serum-style foundations (which are typically more sheer). Since this is a moisturizer, concealer and foundation in 1, I find that it’s not what I reach for day-to-day. I will say though – it makes your skin look flawless! It removes any red tint and really hydrates without any caking. I use shades 34N and 27N depending on the time of year. Shade 34N is a bit darker and perfect for summer when I have a nice tan!
Breezy Cream Bronzer
Little fact about me… I had a bad skin cancer scare when I was 21. So, instead of spending too much time in the sun, I look to my products to give me that “just been at the beach” glow. The Breezy Cream Bronzer is perfect for giving you that golden kiss on your cheeks. Since I have combination/oily skin, I usually skip cream-based products. But, this one actually dries in a matte finish! The color Seychelles will give you that J.Lo vibe! Apply it using the brush below for the perfect swipe on your cheekbones.
Breezy Blender Cream Bronzer Brush
Another best seller from Tarte, this cream blending blush is perfect for applying the Breezy Bronzer. I do love it for applying the perfect amount of product to my cheeks with it’s ultra dense bristles. But, the size kills me! It takes up a bunch of space in my makeup bag. For that reason, this brush isn’t a must-have from me. Except, dang it contours well.
Tarteist™ Double Take Eyeliner
Okay, talk about easy-to-use! I’ve used a handful of liquid liners in my past and getting the perfect cat eye always proved a challenge. This is actually a 2-in-1 product with the liquid liner on one side and a gel liner on the other end. If you’ve wanted to achieve that cat eye look – this eyeliner glides across your lid in one stroke. This baby stays on for 12+ hours (in my experience) and doesn’t fade. at. all. If you don’t want a dramatic look, just drape the felt tip to the end of your eye. Or, wing it out for that dramatic flair!
Sea H2O Gloss Lip Gloss
One of their newer products, this high shine lip gloss drenches your lips in moisture, but shockingly isn’t sticky. In complete transparency, I’d purchase the Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm before this gloss. I just love that product! But, the applicator on this product helps fill your lips with lots of color, making them fuller and more voluminous. So, if you want a fuller pout – then this gloss is for you.
H2O Balm Lip Tint
I’m convinced this lip balm could be glorious, but I just got it in the wrong shade perhaps? This is a lip liner, primer, balm and lipstick in one. But, the color Villa washed my lips out. Since I’m more of a gloss girl, I’ll stick to my Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm instead. But, if you like something more mattifying – this lip tint is for you! It has a velvety finish and is very hydrating.
I love to look my best, but it feels that much better when the products are cruelty-free, vegan and free of nasty chemicals. The natural ingredients are one of the reasons I love the brand, but if you’ve gotten through my full Tarte Cosmetics review then you know there are many others!
