Update: November 2018 – Unfortunately, I have been unable to get this fabulous foundation for about a month now, and I have been unable to get an answer from Tarte as to when/if it will be back in stock on the website and retail stores. Such a huge disappointment! I am hopeful we’ll see it return. Should I find that it’s available again, I’ll update this page with details. In the meantime, I’m now on the hunt for yet another perfect powder foundation – wish me luck!
To give you a little background on why I’m writing this review, I’ve been hunting for a new foundation for quite some time. Years ago (and I mean more than 10), I was a fan of Bare Minerals products. They were new-ish, trendy, all over television, and their line was unique at the time. After a couple of years of drilling their loose mineral foundation into my skin via a kabuki brush, I developed an allergy to the extremely cheap (for the manufacturer), and rather questionable filler that is prevalent in Bare Minerals (and many other mineral lines), bismuth oxychloride. After a series of events of nasty hives and awful itching and pain, I thought I’d be done with mineral makeup forever, as it was next to impossible to find it without the bismuth oxychloride. Again, this was over 10 years ago.
Over the years, I’ve played with lots of different foundations. I used a liquid brand from Origins for a number of years and later began trying some newer mineral powder foundations as a number of brands began ditching the bismuth oxychloride for higher quality, non-toxic ingredients. I’ve been using a great powder foundation from Osmosis for the last few years, but since I no longer carry their skin care line in my studio, I wanted to find a new option.
To qualify as my definition of a great powder foundation, I have quite a list of qualifications:
- Not overly dewy; my skin is naturally oily, so any excess shine or glow is not desirable
- While not being overly dewy, it also can’t dry out the surface of my skin or make the skin surface look papery and dehydrated
- Can’t settle into fine lines
- Doesn’t appear to sit “on top” of the skin, but instead blends beautifully to the texture of skin
- Comes in an array of colors suitable to seasonal changes in skin tone
- Must provide buildable coverage that I can use to accomplish full coverage on days I want it
- Staying power – must still look great after 8+ hours of wear
- Can’t contain bismuth oxychloride
On a recent visit to a local beauty retailer, I dug through probably 10 different varieties of mineral powder foundations. Some had the dreaded bismuth oxychloride along with way too much shine, others had really poor color selections (how could anyone think 6 shades is enough for the variety of skin tones that exist), and yet others just didn’t blend well or have a high-quality feel.
Then, I discovered Tarte’s Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation. I was rather leery of the term “creamy” in the name. It gave me the impression this would be some sticky, thick pancake makeup. This turned out not to be the case. Instead, I found a gorgeous foundation powder with the most gloriously silky feel. It is soft, velvety, and so luxurious feeling. I color matched myself, and decided I’d give it a try.
The following morning, I ripped open the box, unpacked my new little compact, and started to apply with my favorite kabuki brush. It was a grand morning. This stuff went on so beautifully. I needed very little product to get a great level of coverage; it literally took just a minute to get my foundation applied. I picked up a small concealer brush and gave a quick touch up to my under eye and moved on with the rest of my “face”. My blush went on beautifully over this foundation, and I found blending a breeze. I had no insane alien-esque glow like I know many mineral lines provide. Don’t get me wrong, some glow is a beautiful, but looking like you’re radiating a layer of Vaseline is not.
Despite being thrilled with the application, I still had to be won over by the product in regard to how to would wear throughout the day. Well, I’m happy to report, it wears beautifully. I’m almost positive that I have less shine after hours of wearing this product than I did with my previous mineral powder foundation. It must having something to do with the clay in the powder, but whatever it is – I’m impressed. As another bonus, it doesn’t have that wear-off effect where you feel like you lost 75% of your coverage by the end of the work day.
Tarte’s Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation is also called Double Duty Beauty Confidence Creamy Powder if you’re shopping at Ulta. Ulta claims this product is only available at their locations, however, it appears that is the case only in regard to name. So, Double Duty Beauty at Ulta, Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation elsewhere. Don’t let Ulta confuse you. 🙂
If you’re looking for a fantastic new foundation, I give this my highest recommendation. If you have extremely dry skin and really need the enhanced moisture that thick creams and liquids deliver, you may not find this powder foundation (or any powder foundation) to provide quite enough moisture. However, if you do not have extreme moisture needs, definitely try this gem of a cosmetic. As a side note, this product can also be applied wet if you need a bit more creamy texture!
If you’re looking for a fantastic new foundation, I give this my highest recommendation.
One last word: There’s a trendy concept going around to create duo skin care and makeup products. In the end, let your makeup be your makeup and your skin care be your skin care. Although this brand as well as many others do market their products as being chock full of antioxidants, peptides, etc. – those ingredients often do not perform well for the skin when tied up in a makeup formula. So, although Tarte does promote this as also being an anti-aging cosmetic, I would count more on the cosmetic function than the skin care function for this and any other makeup.
If you’d like to see this fabulous find in action, check out Tarte’s video below.
I had to share about my most recent fabulous find because I am asked every week what my favorite foundation happens to be. Well, for now – this is it. So long as the formulation stays the same, I don’t see switching any time soon!
I’d love to know your favorite cosmetics (gives me ideas on what to try), and if you pick up the Tarte product, I’d love to know you like it – feel free to leave a comment below!