TARTE Cosmetics review…
Written by NZINGHA for ZFACEINC,nyc

It all started for me when I used my FAVORITE product from Tarte called “The Little Blot Book”. This was my go to item while working live on set. It gave me the finish of an HD powder long before HD powders were popular.

Yes, it was a bit light and, you did have to add a bit of color to it but, boy it kept my Actors dry and smooth especially the ones you know will perspire and that the makeup will move.

I always highly recommended it to other Artists to make this well worthwhile purchase just to have it in their Pro Kits. I recall going through at least 3 books while working on Spider-Man 3

Recently while at work one of my lovely clients walked in bearing gifts from Tarte!! I was in shock and felt as if I’d gotten an Oscar or something. It was just the thought and presentation that warmed my heart.

Honestly I’d totally given up on Tarte after they pulled my Blot Book off the shelves but this surprise gifting has had me take a second look at the overall brand and the inner workings of the actual products. Can I say “My how things have changed! For the better! Better?”

The bearer of my gifts placed all of the products in Tartes signature purple shopping bag and then had this beautiful nylon fuschia cosmetic bag to go with all the products.

The first items amongst a host of items were these stunning makeup brushes…no matter how many brushes you may have you always can use more!! Each brush is different and has different purposes. And for me dual sided brushes are always winners,especially when I’m on set and want to cut down on carrying my whole brush roll (hate that!). I’m all about being compact, smart , organised and efficient.

The bamboo wood handles on these brushes lend a superb aesthetic and uniqueness that is now apparently becoming Tarte’s signature look. For a while it seemed to me that Tarte didn’t have its own unique voice amongst the sea of beauty brands…what made it special or even a “go-to” brand.

After spotting and pulling out my brushes I was overwhelmed by a sea of products in this awesome packaging. They’d redesigned the packaging!! Wow! I’m truly impressed!

All women like products that look good on the shelf and so Tarte is winning on looks but the true test for me as Pro working Makeup Artist is the actual product. For a real working Artist packaging is nice but it don’t pay the rent, the product and its ability to work does.

So, lets take a look at what’s happening with the 3 things I look for in a product:
1) Color Payoff
2) Pigmentation
3) Longwear

Usefulness and smart packaging…yes!

All in one Foundations and BB Primer’s great idea huh?

Swatches for the BB Primer and Foundcealer

I have to be honest I’m never a fan of bronzers. I don’t fancy people walking around looking like Oompah Loompahs…can you say scary and hilarious at the same time?! Now the average person is not successful at actually applying bronzers. Lets see about this one from Tarte.

It’s got a bit of shine to it but not too overbearing. Shine is always great for a nighttime look and in my opinion but, a no-no for older women.

Tarte is known for their longwear blush stains and these Color options are also now a staple in their collection. After trying them they definitely have longwear however the pigments on range are still a bit sketchy. Great for Caucasian women but for women of deeper tones they still need work.

Shadows

Eyeliner and Brow Gel

More…

Okay, so after trying it all…my overall feeling is ….this brand is still carving it’s niche out. The packaging is awesome. The product itself needs more work.

The clay in the foundation is great for people who have oily skin and large pores. The foundation, BB Primer, the Foundcealer all are rather dry and have a tendency to lack warmth in color leaving the coverage a bit cold and flat. However I would use the line as an overall primer because it does leave the skin smooth and the natural body oils don’t readily push through.

After applying the makeup (which was easy and smooth). The surface of my skin was beautiful and clear. I always allow for time with makeup for it to “marinate” and become one with the skin but,…IT NEVER HAPPENED!

I however after several hours (12 to be exact) still looked smooth (to Tarte’s benefit, and it is truly amazing how long it actually stayed on) yet GRAY (I ultimately cheated later by blotting it down with rosewater and adding a touch more color from another brand.)!! And simply too light for my skintone.

Now if the Foundcealer & BB Primer were a half shade darker and a bit more red, it would be perfect. The BB Primer is great as a tinted moisturizer and is great for those who have good clear skin and are looking to do a “no makeup, makeup look”. If you have darkness under the eyes I would recommend still using a concealer.

I will also say bravo to the loose Smooth Operator powder that comes at the base of the twist off top of the cream concealer. It’s perfect and I wouldn’t change it at all. Though it’s pure white (and may seem scary…like Twilight vampire scary) in the container trust me it’s truly a lightener for dark circles yet transparent (can’t explain it but honey it works at setting that concealer).

The products color range are very safe and non obtrusive. Really you can’t go wrong with their rage of colors if you are someone who is a bit frightened by bright playful colors.

I will give another nod to the retractable black eyeliner that did not move for 12 hours and did not need refreshing AT ALL during those 12 hours…AMAZING!! No running or smudging AT ALL!!! The retractable eyeliner pencil I definitely recommend you purchasing.

The foundations would be great for Caucasian skin tones, yet again, still lack warmth in the undertones so, you might want to mix it with a warmer foundation just for perfect color.

I will say the Foundcealer and the BB 12 hour primer does what it says and stays on for hours and the coverage is good and smooth. Buuuuttt…

Unfortunately the darkest colored foundations (deep) are still not full range and tend to look flat and ashy for women of color. I found I needed to add more Color to my face so, I wound up using another brands finishing pressed powder.

Overall Tarte has mastered packaging! Awesome packaging and great conceptual ideas for the functionality. Yay Tarte!!!👏👏👏👍👍👍

Yet, honestly,…the actual products need work. :|The colors lack Luster and come across as flat and safe.🎨My initial introduction to the product was by way of The Little Blot Book and, even then the powder was a bit patchy and needed revamping and needed a color safer for darker skin tones.

After speaking with a group of African American and Caribbean women the general consensus is…”Ya gotta mix it with something else for sure.”, or “I just gave it away. Who does this work for?”, or just a flat out “Nahhhh!”.

In closing…you can do it Tarte…work it out! I want you guys to win!