The Best Tarte Makeup (and I’ve tried almost ALL of their products)

If you’re looking for Tarte cosmetics reviews, you’re at the right place. I’ve tried a LOT of Tarte makeup (almost everything they sell), and I’m sharing my favorites. I’ll also add anything that I try and don’t love and why I didn’t, in case that’s helpful when you’re shopping too. I’ll try to keep this updated as I try more, but if you have questions about anything specific, feel free to leave, and I’ll share my experience if I’ve tried it.

And you can always use promo code terilyn15 for 15% off at Tarte.com. I don’t think it stacks with their other promos but it’s certainly worth a try.

You can also watch this Tarte review video on my YouTube channel to see how the products look when applied. It’s also embedded below, but I find YouTube easier since I often watch videos in bits and pieces rather than all at once.

My Favorite Tarte Makeup

Concealers

Shape Tape Concealer

This is their original concealer, which garnered a cult following. It’s designed for oily skin, but I have dry skin, so I prefer the Creamy version (linked below). Read my review of Shape Tape concealer here.

Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer

I love this concealer! It’s hydrating but still gives great coverage. Read my review of the Shape Tape creamy concealer here.

Shape Tape Radiant Concealer

This Shape Tape Radiant Concealer is another variation of the Shape Tape concealers above but with just a touch of radiance. This is my go-to concealer, especially for the under-eye area.

Creaseless Concealer

If you struggle with dark circles or with concealer settling in fine lines, this is a GREAT concealer. It’s tackier than most concealers, so you do have to take your time blending, but it gives a beautiful, full-coverage finish that doesn’t settle into lines. I tend to use this when I’m doing a full face of makeup for a night out or for important photos, and I use the Radiant concealer for my everyday makeup.

Foundation

Maracuja Juicy Glow Foundation

I absolutely love this foundation. It gives the most beautiful finish. It’s not shiny and definitely not matte, but it gives a lovely glow, true to its name. If you struggle with dull skin, this is the best Tarte foundation. It’s what I’m wearing in the photo below, which is not edited and does not have a filter.

Sea Hydroflex™ Serum Foundation

This applies a bit like a tinted foundation but with more coverage. It’s similar to the Ilia Skin Serum (if you’ve tried that) but without SPF and the nasty smell. (Full Ilia Skin Serum review here.). I like this one, too, and I use it when I want just light coverage. I imagine I’ll wear this one a lot during the summer.

Blush, Bronzer & Highlighters

Precious Gems Amazonian Clay Cheek Palette

Every shade in this palette is gorgeous, and I use them all. They’re very pigmented but blend effortlessly for a natural look. I highly recommend it!

Sea Line: Glowlight Cheek & Lip Watercolor

This gives a beautiful color, but you do have to be patient when blending since it is very wet.

Maneater Blush & Glow Cheek Plump

This product tingles just a bit when you apply it for the plumping effect. I’m not sure if it actually plumps, but it gives beautiful color. It’s a bit easier to blend than the Glowlight linked above.

Breezy Cream Bronzer (discontinued)

I had never used a cream bronzer before this and now I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to a powder! When I’m using bronzer, I typically want it in very specific locations for a bit of contouring (around my hairline, under my cheekbones and under jawline) and it’s so much easier to be precise with a cream bronzer. I absolutely LOVE this product. It’s perfect matte, but hydrating and blends very easily. I’m wearing it in the photo above.

Update: They sell cream bronzer only in the Park Avenue Princess Cream Cheek Duo. I own the Duo and like it, but I still wish the cream bronzer was sold individually.

Maracuja Juicy Glow Highlight

Like the cream bronzer, I’m not sure I’ll ever return to powder highlighters. It’s much easier to apply with precision with this cream stick. I love this for highlighting my browbone, the inner eye, and above my cheekbones. I’m wearing it in the photo above.

Shape Tape Glow Bar

I don’t use this often since I typically reach for the glow highlight stick or the glow powder below, but it is a nice all-in-one option for a bronzer, highlighting powder, and blur powder.

Shape Tape Glow Powder

This quickly became a must-have in my makeup routine. I have NEVER liked powder, but I love this. It sets my makeup without drying out my skin and gives a flawless finish. I use it every single day.

Eyeshadow & liners

Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette

I was shocked by how easily these colors blend! They are pigmented but not so much that they make a too-intense mess on my face. This is a great neutral palette and if you prefer cool tones, you’ll love this.

Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette

I didn’t expect to get as much use out of this as I do, but it’s a very natural-looking palette that can still be layered for a more intense look. (I use the darker colors for liner.) Three of my friends have it as well, and we all have very different skin tones, and they like it, too! I keep a second one in Boone since I like it so much.

Quick Stick Waterproof Shadow & Liner

This is an excellent option if you don’t want to mess around with powder eyeshadow but want just a little definition. I use this when I’m in a rush since it’s easy to swipe the shadow on my lid and add a little liner to my top lash. I have three different ones, but I like Mauve Luster best for my skin tone and green eyes.

Mascara

Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara

I love how this feels when it applies (almost waxy with a dry finish), but alas, it smudged on me. (I can only wear tubing mascaras, as explained in this post.)

Maneater Mascara

I LOVE how this mascara looks. I love a bold lash, and this provided both volume and length with a super black pigmented finish. This one also smudged on me.

Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

This provides more length and separation than the Maneater, but it also smudged on me. I have had good luck with the waterproof version, however. I wore it in the 2019 Boston Marathon and it didn’t budge.

Tartelette Tubing Mascara

This is the mascara I’ve used daily for six months after I learned that Tarte has a tubing mascara. I’ve tried several tubing mascaras over the years, and while they give great length and never smudge, they don’t provide significant volume. This gives the most volume of any tubing mascara I’ve ever tried, especially when paired with the Tarte lash primer. I wish it looked more like the Maneater Mascara (very thick and bold!) but that’s simply a limitation of tubing formulas. If you struggle with mascara that smudges, you’ll love this Tartelette mascara too! (Yes, it’s better than Thrive and Hourglass!)

Opening Act Lash Primer

I’ve used this for years and love it! It helps make your lashes look longer and thicker, and I actually find it’s easier to apply my mascara after I’ve put this on first.

Lip products

Quench Lip Rescue

Think of this like a grown-up lip balm. It makes your lips look super hydrated but still natural with a little pinch of color. Don’t let it get warm (in your car or in the sun) since the formula gets very soft very quickly.

Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm

I have so many of these because they are so good. I keep one in my purse at all times, in my office and it’s one of my go-to gifts for friends since they almost always have a little gift set with multiple shades. It’s easy to apply without a mirror and has a shiny finish, but not sticky like a gloss.

Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump

I think I actually prefer the non-plumping version since, wow, this does make lips look pretty glossy. But that is just a personal preference.

H20 Balm Lip Tint

This applies like a sheer lipstick and has such a beautiful finish. It’s also comfortable to wear since it never feels dry, but it doesn’t have a high-shine finish. Two thumbs up.

Maracuja Juicy Lip Creme

This is like a balm and a lipstick had a baby. It has coverage and staying power like a lipstick, but it feels hydrating like a balm. If you like a lipstick but find it too dry, you’ll love it.

Shop The Post