7 Best Tarte Foundations, Chosen By A Makeup Expert (2024)

The celebrity-endorsed brand Tarte has emerged as a popular and transformative player in the makeup industry that may have started small but turned out to be massive through the years. Tarte’s foundations are one of their most loved and sought-after products. If you’re one of those Tartelettes (a name for all Tarte fanatics) looking for the best Tarte foundations, we believe we can help you right here, right now.

One of the most important reasons for Tarte’s massive success is its founder Kelly, who’s so invested in the brand that whenever she heads for any eco-trip, she brings back her eco-cosmetic ingredients that could be incorporated into their makeup products. And since Tarte’s products are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, phthalates, gluten, or parabens, they’re safe to use too. Check out our list of the best 7 Tarte foundations that can make your makeup look as stunning as never before.

7 Best Tarte Foundations For Different Skin Types

1. Best Overall:Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation – Light Medium Sand

4.5

BUY ON AMAZON | $39.57

The Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation is a wish granted for many who hanker after a foundation that offers impressive coverage with the goodness of skin-loving ingredients. It packs natural elements like Amazonian clay that impart long-lasting power without damaging the skin. In addition to this, you’ll find vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant and mineral pigment that soothe the skin. This Tarte full-coverage foundation has a whipped mousse formulation that lends it a feather-light texture. It stays on for over 12 hours and can stand heat and sweat due to its waterproof properties. A dime-sized squirt of the product effortlessly covers dark spots, blemishes, and any imperfections to leave your skin looking flawless, making it an apt foundation for hyperpigmentation. If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube that details a tester’s experience with it.

Pro Tip

Pick a small amount of this foundation and belnd it into the skin, starting at the center of the face and moving outward.

2. Best Oily Skin:Tarte Double Duty Shape Tape Matte Foundation – Fair Sand

4

BUY ON AMAZON | $31.0

The Tarte Double Duty Shape Tape foundation provides a matte finish without making your face look flat. It delivers a matte effect with its oil and shine-absorbing formulation, making it an ideal choice for those with oily skin. Consequently, it is also a suitable foundation for acne-prone skin. You’ll find a bunch of good-for-you, quality ingredients that nourish the skin and provide exceptional results, while promoting a radiant finish. It is incredibly lightweight, and you don’t have to worry about it caking or creasing. It allows concealers, bronzers, and highlighters to blend seamlessly, making it an ideal foundation for layering. All in all, it has everything from offering full-coverage to being waterproof that qualifies it to be one of the bests from the Tarte range of foundations, effectively addressing dark spots and providing a youthful glow. Here’s an honest review of the product that details a reviewer’s experience with it.

Pro Tip

You can use this foundation on mature skin. Take a small amount and blend it into the skin, starting at the center of the face and moving outward for smooth and flawless results.

3. Best-Selling:Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation – Fair-Light Neutral

4.7

BUY ON AMAZON | $69.89

This Tarte Amazonian Clay powder foundation delivers the airbrush effect and works like magic, whether you’re walking under the scorching sun or you have tear-streaked cheeks. The Amazonian Clay Tarte foundation powder is infused with tourmaline that gives a radiant complexion while the pearl powder and camellia leaf extract invigorate the skin with their antioxidant properties. Like other Tarte makeup foundations, you won’t find nasty ingredients like parabens, sulfates, or gluten in it. It gives a natural matte, breathable finish features a mesh applicator for an even, buildable coverage. For best results, use a kabuki brush, and tap away excess powder and run the brush in a circular motion. Whitney Rae Alexander, a professional makeup artist says, “This is a natural matte finish PERFECTION! It is such a breathable yet full coverage foundation. You feel secure without any irritation.”

4. Best For Dry Skin:Tarte Clay Stick Foundation – Medium Neutral

BUY ON AMAZON | $0

If you’re looking for a Tarte foundation for dry skin, this creamy clay foundation stick is all you need. This foundation for medium skin tones especially complements neutral undertones. This petite clay stick foundation is pretty simple to use — all you have to do is twist it open, apply it directly onto imperfections and blend it evenly. It is loaded with natural ingredients such as Amazonian clay, vitamin C, vitamin E, and mineral pigments to leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and radiant. It is also packed with elements that help naturally hydrate the skin while giving a natural matte finish. This Tarte cream foundation is dermatologist-tested, so you can count on it if you have sensitive skin. According to reviews, it feels smooth on the skin and offers a natural feel.

5. Best For Dark Skin Tones:Tarte Foundcealer Multi-Tasking Foundation – 29 H Light-Medium Honey

4.4

Image: Tarte

BUY ON AMAZON | $37.1

It can get frustrating trying to match the right shade of foundation and concealer with your skin tone and get them both right. If you’re tired of the hassle, you deserve the Tarte Foundcealer multi-tasking foundation. It is a suitable foundation for dark skin tones as well as fair skin tones. It acts as a moisturizer, concealer, foundation, and SPF for sun protection, and if that’s not amazing, we don’t know what is. The Tarte Foundcealer foundation packs babassu, which adds a youthful glow to the skin. As per a survey conducted by Tarte, 100% of the participants reported that they witnessed an improvement in their wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines. Reviewers love this product as it is makeup and skin care combined in one bottle.

6. Best For Everyday Use:Tarte Rainforest Of The Sea Water Foundation – 27B Light Medium Beige

4

BUY ON AMAZON | $8989

This Tarte water-based foundation is ideal for everyday use when you’re looking for a medium coverage foundation for fair skin tones that feels weightless. It contains antioxidants to protect your skin from premature signs of aging and to promote a healthy glow. This Tarte liquid foundation also acts as a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF 15 and has the Tarte 12-hour power to last throughout the day. What makes this Tarte cosmetics foundation unique is that it has marine plants that help make the skin smooth and soft while reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and the appearance of pores. With the countless benefits that this so-out-of-this-world Tarte foundation offers, we’re not shocked that so many Tartelettes swear by it. The reviewers are surprised by its light texture and natural finish.

7. Best For Medium-Toned Skin:Tarte Clay Stick Foundation – Fair Neutral

4

Now 22% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $18

The ‘Fair Neutral’ Shade of this Tarte Clay Stick Foundation is ideal for people with medium-toned skin and neutral undertones. However, it also serves well as a foundation for cool undertones. This foundation stick can be equated to a nutrition bar for your skin since it is infused with ingredients that pamper your skin. Vitamin C helps fight free radicals and brightens your skin from within, while vitamin E acts as a natural emollient, contributing to a dewy finish. Amazonian clay and mineral pigments bring along more benefits for your skin, addressing the appearance of imperfections. It has the signature Tarte 12-hour power, which means you don’t need to reapply it every now and then. It is also a vegan formula that makes it eligible for a true vegan’s makeup shelf. Whitney Rae Alexander, a professional makeup artist adds, “These sticks are so versatile. You can use them as contour sticks or foundations to create a natural depth to the face. The claim of 12 hour staying power is something you can easily rely on!”

With so many options that Tarte offers, it may confuse you as to what kind of foundation you should invest in. We’re here to shed light on a few factors that you should focus on when you’re on the lookout for a foundation that’s your skin’s soulmate. Read on to find out.

How To Choose The Right Tarte Foundation – A Helpful Buying Guide

• Skin tone

If you’ve had a bitter experience with foundations, it is most likely because you picked the wrong shade. A foundation should be as close to your skin tone as it can be to give you a natural finish. The good news is that you’ll find an array of Tarte foundation shades to flatter your skin tone. Go through the chart of skin tones and pay careful attention to what the product description says. If you don’t find a perfect skin tone match, you can also opt for one shade up and one shade down and blend them to match your tone.

• Undertones

Undertones are the hue that comes through the skin and gives our skin a cool, warm, or neutral color. You should always determine your undertone by doing a Tarte foundation color match to make sure the foundation suits you. If not, it might give you a prominent orange, yellow, or blue finish to make the mismatch evident.

• Formula

Before picking a foundation of a certain formula or consistency, make sure that it suits your skin type. The best Tarte foundation for oily skin is water-based or an effective powder foundation as it absorbs oil and feels light. If you have combination skin, you can settle for a Tarte hydrating formula like the Amazonian Clay full-coverage foundation. However, it is best to opt for the Tarte clay stick for dry skin as it has a creamy consistency.

• Coverage

The coverage that you need depends on the blemishes and imperfections on your skin and how often you’d be wearing the foundation. Medium coverage works well for people who have less evident imperfections and pigmentations and look for a foundation that can be applied every day. However, if it’s only once in a while or you want to hide all the imperfections, you can choose full-coverage foundations.

• Added benefits

Almost every Tarte foundation is rich in natural ingredients that offer skincare benefits. You can look for properties that would benefit your skin. For instance, if your skin needs a product that helps fight the early signs of aging, you can get the Tarte Foundcealer multi-tasking foundation. However, if you need a long-lasting foundation for large pores, you can choose the Tarte foundation with Amazonian clay.

• Other factors

If you have sensitive skin, make sure the Tarte foundation that you buy is dermatologist-tested. Also, some of the Tarte products are not vegan. Check the description and ensure that the foundation that you intend to buy is 100% vegan. Waterproof, long-wearing, cosmetologist-approved, and hydrating, are few other factors to look for based on your personal preference. Be sure of your skin type and makeup requirements to find your ideal foundation for everyday use.

Infographic: Key Ingredients In Tarte Foundations You Should Know About

Tarte has emerged as one of the most popular clean makeup brands that offer chemical-free products. Check out the infographic below to understand the key ingredients present in Tarte foundations and how they benefit our skin.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tarte test its foundations on animals?

No, Tarte is a cruelty-free brand that neither tests on animals nor does it sell in places that make animal testing mandatory. However, not all Tarte products are vegan. You can always check for the vegan mark on the Tarte product before making the purchase.

What’s the best way to apply Tarte Foundations?

While brushes work best for Tarte full-coverage foundations, you can use a sponge for a foundation that offers buildable coverage. If the foundation offers sheer coverage, all you need is your fingers to blend it well.

How good is Tarte foundation?

While this depends on whether or not Tarte works for you personally, it is good enough to have loyal customers who call themselves Tartelettes. Tarte sold 1 Shape Tape contour concealer every 20 seconds when it launched. This might justify how Tarte products are good for the skin, and thus popular.

Does Tarte foundation have SPF?

Many Tarte foundations have SPF. The Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation shades and Rainforest of The Sea-Water foundations are SPF 15, and the Tarte Foundcealer multi-tasking foundation is SPF 20.

How long does Tarte foundation last?

Every Tarte foundation has different lasting powers. Tarte foundations that have Amazonian clay and generally come with the Tarte 12-hour power. These are great foundations for humid climates, staying put despite sweat and tears. You can always go through the reviews and description of the foundation you plan to buy to be sure about how long it lasts.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Chaitra Krishnan, is a makeup enthusiast and loves to review different makeup products. After thorough research, she has provided a detailed list of the best Tarte foundations in this post. She went through numerous reviews and feedback on multiple forums and brand websites to help you pick the best products. These products are safe to use as they are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, phthalates, gluten, or parabens.

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