Welcome to Unfiltered, where we give our honest, no-B.S. reviews of the most buzzed-about beauty products, brands, and services on the market right now.
In 2019, makeup companies have zero excuses when it comes to product inclusivity. And after facing controversy last year with a very limited shade range in the much-anticipated Shape Tape Foundation — a product inspired by the best-selling Shape Tape Contour Concealer — Tarte set out to start anew. This month, the company is removing the embattled Shape Tape Foundation off of shelves and launching the Face Tape foundation with a different name, new packaging, an updated formula, and a wider shade range.
The Face Tape full-coverage foundation, which launches next week, will have 50 shades with a range of undertones — a major difference from Shape Tape’s previous 15 options. And with so many shades, Tarte created a new system that mixes numbers and undertone letters to make it easier to find your match.
But, of course, we had to put the new-and-improved Face Tape to the test — there is a lot of skepticism surrounding this launch, after all. So, we asked several R29 staffers to find their shade and try out the renovated formula. Read their unfiltered opinions, ahead.
Tarte’s Face Tape Foundation ($39) will be available on February 17 at tarte.com and ulta.com.
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Thatiana Diaz, Beauty Writer
Shade: 38N
"With the bitter taste of last year’s shade controversy still lingering in my subconscious, I was wary of this new Face Tape. But I was able to find my exact shade — which almost never happens. Plus, the fact that it’s full coverage helped me warm up to the thought of this foundation being a keeper. It covered everything on my face — I’m talking redness and serious hormonal acne — and it lasted through two trips in snow. I wouldn’t make this my everyday coverage since it’s on the heavier side, but something like a night out, this could definitely be a winner."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Channing Hargrove, Fashion Writer
Shade: 57S
"I’ve actually never used anything Tarte. And I’m not going to lie, I side-eye brands that suddenly discovered there are women with deeper skin tones. However, aside from the confusion I faced from the numbering system, I will say that I do love the foundation. I liked the way the formula applied, and the typical oil slick didn’t break through my T-zone in the middle of the day. At the end of the day, my face still looked really good."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Samantha Sasso, Beauty Writer
Shade: 16N
"When I used to prefer full-coverage makeup over little to nothing at all, the Shape Tape concealer was my jam, so I’m not all that surprised the foundation accomplishes a similar effect: it literally covers everything. Dab it all over your face with a damp makeup sponge and the stuff will melt right into your skin, offering just the right amount of pimple-hiding coverage. And if you’re someone who does wear makeup every day, and a lot of it, you can rest easy knowing a teeny-tiny bit of this foundation goes a long way, so you won’t have to run to Sephora for a refill sooner than you’d like."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Diana Cenat, Executive Assistant
Shade: 53H
"I wasn’t expecting to find a perfect match with this foundation, so when I did, it was a pleasant surprise. The color blended well, and the foundation does a good job when it comes to coverage. I do find the formula a bit drying, so this would be more of a summer product for me."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Carolyn Negri, Freelance Associate Project Manager
Shades (Mixed): 51N, 53G
"I had to mix two shades to strike the right balance — one with golden undertones and another with a lighter, more neutral shade. As a proud member of the the oily skin gang, the matte finish didn’t keep my shine at bay, which I was okay with since I prefer a dewier finish, but it may not be right for those who prefer the matte look."
"I will say that the foundation provided the perfect base to apply the other elements of my makeup routine. It was incredibly easy to blend in my concealer, then apply blush, and highlight without looking like I had applied too much makeup."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Serena Kerrigan, Associate Producer & On-Air Talent
Shade: 29N
"I usually don’t go for full-coverage foundations because they make me look like I’m caked out and ready to star in a Broadway show. However, this product took me by surprise. I used my fingers to apply, and it didn’t come out thick or pasty. The foundation was smooth and easily blendable. While it has provided great coverage (especially to my week-old zit that refuses to leave me alone), it doesn’t look like I painted my face at all. This is the perfect coverage for a big night out or for one of my many Instagram photo shoots. I’ve always stanned Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, but this one might take the cake (pun intended)."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Aimee Simeon, Beauty Writer
Shade: 47S
"I put Face Tape on at 8 a.m., and what you’re looking at is my face at 6 p.m. — after being in a humid office for hours and commuting in gross hail and snow — with zero setting powder, setting spray, or touch-ups throughout the day. Not too bad if you ask me. The coverage in this new foundation is full, which I love, but it might be intense if you’re used to a lighter finish."
"I think it blended well and didn’t dry down too quickly, like other formulas that I’ve used. The shade that I picked out was a tad light, but I was able to easily warm up my complexion with bronzer and blush. I may go back to the drawing boar, and test a shade up to be safe. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the formula given Shape Tape’s track record."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Mi-Anne Chan, Beauty Writer & Host
Shade: 22N
"If I’m being honest, I’m not a huge fan of Shape Tape concealer (don’t @ me). I find the oversized applicator cumbersome and the formula cakey, so I was a little apprehensive going into this foundation trial. But this stuff is quality. It has all the elements a good full-coverage foundation should have — it covers well and hangs around for hours — but it can also be sheered out, especially if you’re applying with a damp sponge. I’ve been wearing it all week to and from events and fashion shows, and it has held up spectacularly."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Katie Cruz, Associate Social Media Editor
Shade: 18B
"I’m not gonna lie, I was scared to try this foundation. This winter weather has made my skin terribly dry, and I was worried this formula would just suck out any of the remaining moisture in my face, but I’m happy to report that it hasn’t. I do find it drier than what I usually go for in a foundation, but if you’re looking for a matte option to cover up any nasty lil’ spots you want to hide, this coverage is for you. I personally wouldn’t use this for an everyday look, but I’d definitely use for an outing."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Rachel Lubitz, Senior Beauty Writer
Shade: 15S
"When I first started patting this on, I was pretty encouraged. It’s full coverage, which I need because of my acne at the moment, and it seemed to seamlessly blend into my skin. But then the smell hit me. It reminded me of the scent of my elementary school, which was a not-so-charming mix of cleaning supplies and plastic chairs. After a few hours of wear, I also found it to be a bit drying on my skin. However, I will say that, when it comes to coverage, this product is the real deal."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Ariana Romero, TV Writer
Shade: 35G
"If there is ever a time to test foundation, it’s right now. Not only is this February snow battering me in the face, but I’m also dealing with a random nose blemish and battling my annual winter cold. Could the Face Tape stand up to that very serious challenge? Mostly, yes. The foundation stayed intact against the constant assault of Angel Soft tissues. The only placed that smudged was on my nose, where my glasses rest on my face."
"However, I really appreciate all the work Tarte put in to making sure I found the precise correct shade with their shade guide. As someone who usually buys a shade darker than my natural coloring to hide my dark spots, it was nice to know I was using the exact right shade with the kind coverage that makes me comfortable. Especially since most foundation puts a damper on my extremely gold undertones."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
Hannah Bullion, Associate Social Media Editor
Shade: 20B
"Off the bat, I was super nervous to try this foundation — mostly because I’m dealing with awful dry, winter skin. But after putting this foundation on after a layer of hydrating serum, facial oil, and moisturizer, I was really happy with the finish. Even in our dry AF office, it looks matte but not dehydrated. When I went to take this selfie, I was genuinely shocked at how naturally flawless my skin looked. After a full day of wear, my skin definitely started to look a little crusty, but I think it’s due to my skin rather than the foundation itself. All in all, I probably wouldn’t wear this every day (especially in the winter), but if it was for a special occasion, this would definitely be my go-to."
Tarte face tape foundation, $39, available at Tarte
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Source: Refinery29 – Thatiana Diaz