From popularity to controversy, Tarte foundations have seen it all over the last two decades. The best Tarte foundations have emerged as a cult favorite and can be found in the makeup arsenals of professionals as well as makeup enthusiasts. Thanks to their incredible formulation, staying power, and impressive coverage, these foundations have won hearts across the globe.

The foundations from the house of Tarte are a class apart with their exquisite blend of botanical extracts and naturally-derived ingredients. It is because of Tarte’s founder Maureen Kelly and her belief that your favorite products must be created with good-for-you ingredients you can pronounce (1). From sustainably harvested Amazonian Clay and nourishing babassu to antioxidant-rich acai and hydrating snow mushrooms, Tarte foundations are so much more than makeup. 

They combine makeup with skincare to provide you with high-performance products at mid-range prices. No wonder, they are loved by so many. And we decided to test and bring you the best of these Tarte foundations. Free from harmful ingredients like phthalates, triclosan, formaldehyde, insoluble plastic microbeads, toluene, etc., these vegan-friendly options are the must-haves for your makeup kit. Check out our top picks and get ready to dazzle with an airbrushed makeup look!

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  Best for Oily Skin

  Tarte Amazonian Clay 16-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, Fair Beige

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Show up with your best-looking makeup wherever you go, thanks to this Tarte matte foundation. It is a full-coverage foundation with Amazonian clay as its star ingredient. With a whipped mousse-like texture, it glides onto the skin to give a flawless satin smooth finish. There is no question of cakey or creased makeup with this foundation. Drawing from our experience, using it with a primer can make it stay through the day while maintaining its excellent coverage.

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Best in Travel-friendliness

Tarte Face Tape Foundation, Fair Neutral

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This Tarte full coverage foundation is full of sugar, spice, and everything nice. It provides coverage that covers everything. Yes, everything! From some serious hormonal acne to the craziness of the redness, just dab the Face Tape foundation all over your face and neck, and you are good to go. That's not all. Its formula is infused with skin-nourishing ingredients like snow mushroom, apple fruit extract, and hyaluronic acid. This shade is suitable for fair skin with neutral undertones. As indicated by our tests, the availability of lots of shade options makes it easier for different skin tones to find their perfect match.

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Best for Full Coverage

Tarte Face Tape Foundation, Light Beige

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Tarte foundations cater to every skin tone and different undertones. They offer several options for both light and darker skin tones. This Tarte foundation in light beige is one such example. It has a thick creamy consistency but feels lightweight. It is a staple in many makeup routines because this won't melt away even in the great Florida heat. Suitable for light skin tones with cool, rosy, or pink undertones, this one will be your loyal companion from the am to the pm. Our team discovered through using this product that it is incredibly long-lasting but is not recommended for daily use.

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Tarte Clay Stick Foundation, Fair Neutral

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This Tarte foundation stick will wow you with its medium to full buildable coverage. It has a lightweight creamy formula that is easy to blend. A holy grail for dry skin types, it provides coverage all day long. Because it is so convenient to use, it is also used by many as a concealer and a contour. Talk about a product being multi-purpose! After putting it to the test, we found that it may not work for people with mature skin as it tends to settle into fine lines. At the same time, we loved how it melts beautifully into the skin.

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Best Liquid Foundation

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation, Light-Medium Sand

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Get ready to see impressive results with the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation which is often touted as "Photoshop in a bottle". It has a very watery, fluid-like texture which you can easily guess from its name. It offers medium to full coverage that you can blend easily with a brush or a makeup sponge. It comes with a dropper that allows you to use the desired amount of product. Based on our firsthand experience, this Tarte foundation gives a flawless finish that looks more like healthy-looking, luminous skin and is worth every penny spent on it.

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Best for Neutral Undertones

Tarte Face Tape Foundation, Medium Neutral

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From scars and marks to blemishes that look extra dark against your skin tone, tackle them all, with just one swipe of this Tarte Face Tape Foundation. And it won't even look apparent that you have tried to cover up something. All that will be left is your smooth and flawless skin. If you have medium-toned skin with neutral undertones, then this is the shade for you. After conducting experiments with it, we discovered that this Tarte hydrating foundation stands the test of time, heat, and humidity with ease.

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Best in Versatility

Tarte Foundcealer Multi-tasking Foundation, Medium Honey

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True to its name, this Tarte hydrating foundation does it all. It is a moisturizer, concealer, foundation, and sunscreen, all in one. It is formulated with Babassu as its star ingredient, along with other key ingredients like sunflower seed, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. It offers a medium coverage that you can customize per your skin's requirements. When we trialed this product, we discovered that thanks to touch-ups with a setting powder, oily skin types can maintain a matte and bright finish all day.

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Best in Longevity

Tarte Face Tape Foundation, Medium Honey

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For a picture-perfect look that lasts long, get your hands on this Tarte foundation that not only comes in full size but also a very convenient travel size. With many shades on offer, this one, in particular, is the best suited for medium skin tones that have peachy and warm undertones. It is a seamless blend of skin-loving ingredients and provides an equally seamless finish. Through our practical knowledge, we can say that only a little amount of this Tarte matte foundation is needed to create a flawless makeup look that also imparts a healthy glow.

Tarte has put out some of the best foundations in the market which are vegan-friendly and formulated with natural and skin-loving ingredients. From light to full coverage and from matte to dewy finish, there's a formula for everyone. And for these reasons, you might feel lost in the world of Tarte foundations. But, we won't let it happen and are here to help you find your ideal foundation match. Read the following tips to make an informed decision:

Skin Type

You must consider whether you have an oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin type. This is because oily skin types have different needs than dry skin types. And you should choose a formula that complements your skin's needs.

Tones and Undertones

You need to consider not just your skin tone but also your skin undertone. Because Tarte pays attention to it and offers products catering to different undertones. While you may try swatching to get your perfect tone match, you must determine your undertone, whether it is warm, cool, or neutral, to make the process easier.

Ingredients

Tarte is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and doesn't include a plethora of harmful ingredients. But, you must still check out the label to ensure you are not sensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients listed there. 

Texture

Be it liquid, cream, powder, mousse, or stick, Tarte offers it all. So, choose a texture that aligns with your preferences and skin's needs. For instance, a lightweight Tarte liquid foundation may be suitable for a combination skin type while oily skin types will love the Tarte powder foundation.

Coverage

Decide what kind of coverage you would like based on your skin issues and desired finish. See if you want sheer, medium, or full coverage. You may also opt for a Tarte foundation that offers a buildable finish to get the most out of one product.

Finish

Determine the type of finish that you would prefer. Your final choice will depend on whether you want a matte, dewy, or natural finish. 

Longevity and Other Features

The Tarte foundation price can set your budget back by quite some amount so you should aim to get as many features as you can. It is basic to look for a foundation that lasts all day. You must also look for waterproof, sweatproof, and transfer-proof formulas, depending on your requirements.

Swatch and Sample

Try to visit a physical store if possible to swatch different Tarte foundation shades. You may also use online swatch tools to find the shade closest to your skin tone. Try sample or travel sizes before committing to full size

Read Customer Reviews

Don't forget to check out the reviews and feedback left by customers on different online platforms. You must also ask your family and friends who have previously tried Tarte foundations for their experiences. This will give you valuable insight into the performance of your product of choice.

The application of the Tarte foundation is simple. But to make it effective, so that it can give you a flawless and naturally radiant complexion, here are some tips you must follow:

• Start with a clean and moisturized face. You may also add a hydrating serum to your routine because hydrated skin is happy skin. Follow up with a primer to create a smooth base for your makeup application.
• Choose a Tarte foundation shade that closely matches your skin tone and undertone. The best way is to test the foundation on your jawline.
• Get ready with your arsenal of makeup brushes, sponges, and cushion puffs.
• Use a kabuki brush or a fluffy brush to apply powder foundation. You can use a makeup brush, damp makeup sponge, or even your fingers for applying a liquid foundation. The same goes for a cream foundation and a stick foundation.
• Always start with a little quantity and add more of the product only when needed. The key is to build up gradually.
• Blend, blend, and blend to ensure a seamless finish. You don't want any harsh product lines or a patchy look.
• Don't forget to check your makeup in different lighting to ensure that it looks good and blended from all angles.
• Set it with a translucent powder or setting spray for long-lasting coverage.

Tarte Cosmetics has revolutionized the beauty and makeup industry with its remarkable range of products across all segments. Every makeup enthusiast knows that the best Tarte foundations are the ones they reach for when they want airbrushed coverage without damaging their skin barrier. Over the years, Tarte has kept on adding to its extensive lineup of foundations that cater to different skin types and skin tones, ensuring everyone healthy-looking luminosity that they might not find anywhere else. From office to weddings to clubbing, they will be your loyal companions. Explore the world of Tarte foundations with ease using our handpicked recommendations and comprehensive guide. Find your perfect match made in Tarte heaven!