The best Tarte products didn’t appear overnight—they’re the result of 25 years of innovation, beginning with a single cheek stain (that debuted in Henri Bendel, RIP!) and a vision for high-performance makeup that actually works. The brand was also early to the conscious beauty conversation, long before buzzwords like clean, cruelty-free, and vegan became industry default.
Our Top Tarte Cosmetics Products
Fast forward to now, and Tarte Cosmetics has become a staple in makeup bags everywhere, from TikTokers filming GRWMs to celebrity makeup artists prepping red carpet looks. At the core of its popularity is its ability to nail both complexion and color, whether it’s a full-coverage foundation that somehow doesn’t cake or a mascara that refuses to smudge.
Although Tarte has evolved over the past couple of decades, it has stayed true to its roots, offering beauty products that perform like your ride-or-die favorites with ingredients that benefit skin. (We see you, Amazonian Clay Foundation and Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump!) Whether you’re trying to control shine, fake eight hours of sleep, or just want a bulletproof base for summer weddings, there’s likely a Tarte product for that. Ahead, the best Tarte makeup products—editor-tested and endlessly praised by makeup artists—that deserve a permanent spot in your routine.
The Glow Getter: Tarte Shape Tape Radiant Concealer
Why we love it: If you love how the original Shape Tape hides redness and dark spots but you crave a glowier, more natural finish, the Tarte Shape Tape Radiance Concealer is your new go-to. It blends the same crease-proof coverage with light-reflecting pigments and a hydrating serum base, making it perfect for dry or mature skin—and, of course, an incredible undereye concealer. The result is a bright-eyed, lit-from-within look that feels like skincare with coverage benefits. It’s less matte, more fresh, and totally forgiving.
“I don’t drink coffee, so I’m always on the hunt for makeup products that make me appear more more awake—and this concealer does exactly that. It’s high in coverage to cover any discoloration under my eyes and has a pretty sheen to it, so it makes my under eyes look more radiant (hence the name) and awake.” —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, seaberry seed oil, licorice root, niacinamide
- Available shades: 37
You’re Covered: Tarte Cosmetics Face Tape Foundation
Why we love it: The success of Shape Tape subsequently gave birth to the Tarte Face Tape Foundation, and like its predecessor, it brings serious coverage with a surprisingly lightweight, breathable feel. It smooths skin texture, minimizes pores, and blurs imperfections without ever looking mask-like or cakey. Plus, like a tinted moisturizer, it’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom extract for a natural matte finish that doesn’t dry you out. Celebrity makeup artist Gregory Arlt is a huge fan of both the original Shape Tape Concealer and the Face Tape Foundation. “Traditionally, long-wear makeup can look—or feel—heavy or cakey. This modern formula gives the coverage and long-wear that one would need without looking or feeling like you have a mask on,” he tells Allure. “It’s amazing for hot or humid climes, especially in the summer months.”
Tester feedback from Allure associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen
“As you can see from the decrepit bottle, this foundation and I go way back. I’ve been wearing the full-coverage, long-lasting base for years due to its transfer-proof, can-be-worn-in-every-season formula. It evens out underlying redness and doesn’t disrupt my oily complexion. It’s truly the best!” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom extract
- Available shades: 50
Take a Brow: Tarte Brows for Days Framing Gel
Why we love it: Prepare your brows for this multitasking secret weapon. The Tarte Brows for Days Framing Gel was made for anyone who wants definition, fuller-looking brows, and serious hold (without stickiness) in a single swipe. With hydrating, hair follicle-loving ingredients, it fills sparse areas, shapes unruly hairs, and sets everything in place all day long. The buildable formula never feels stiff or crunchy, and the tiny brush makes precise application effortless. It’s basically brow lamination in a tube.
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
“Tarte’s brow gel helps lift my brows, subtly, and gets me through the day without constant touchups. I love how fanned out the wand is because it means I don’t have to be extra precise with my front hairs. I use the very tip of the applicator to maneuver my tail-end hairs in place without disturbing the brow pencil I’ve carefully mapped out below (this is key!).” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: eucalyptus and cucumber extracts, aloe vera gel, glycerin
- Available shades: 1
Line Dance: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner
Why we love it: Tart’s lip products are not to be underestimated. The Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner glides on like a balm but wears like a stain—hydrating, pigmented, and made to last. Infused with a 10+ superfruit complex, maracuja oil, and hyaluronic acid, it nourishes while delivering smooth, skip-free color. Whether you wear it to define your lips or as a base under gloss or lipstick, the formula holds its shape without drying or feathering.
“Being a Black girl who grew up in the ’90s, I’m a connoisseur of brown lip liners. My current go-to is Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner in Brown from Tarte. My favorite thing about it is that there is no need for a sharpener; just twist up to get more. The formula is creamy going on, gives a few seconds to blend, but dries down to an immovable finish. I often pair it with my signature red liquid lipstick to give my lips definition.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
- Key ingredients: maracuja oil, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid
- Available shades: 28
Dot Dot Dot: Tarte Go With the Faux Freckle Stamp
Why we love it: Freckles on demand? Heck, yes. The Tarte Go with the Faux Freckle Stamp lets you dot on perfectly placed faux freckles in seconds, giving you that sun-kissed, carefree charm without the risk of dangerous UV exposure. It stands out from other freckle stamps due to its unique, five-prong applicator. Plus, there are four shades to choose from that look believable on most skin tones, and the sheer formula melts into makeup beautifully. It’s fun, easy, and surprisingly wearable. “I love this freckle stamp; it’s so easy to use and it’s really beginner friendly,” New York City-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher previously shared.
““I’ve been known to go, shall we say, overboard with faux freckles (though I say, who cares?) but Tarte’s freckle pen is more subtle, so it does lend a more natural look when it comes to the individual freckles. On the flip side, because the pigment is subtle, you have to refill the applicator pretty frequently. Otherwise, a multi-point freckle pen is simply genius!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: Amazonian clay, castor oil
- Available shades: 4
Go Big: Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara
Why we love it: First off, this mascara is basically a lash extension in a tube, which is why it’s at the top of our faves for tubing mascaras. The Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara wraps each lash in a flexible, smudge-proof coat that resists flakes and raccoon eyes, while still coming off easily with warm water. It’s designed to lift, define, and dramatically lengthen without ever clumping or weighing lashes down. Ideal for long days and even longer nights.
“I was a brown mascara skeptic for a long time because if I’m going to spend precious morning time putting mascara on, I want drama. What’s dramatic about a natural brown shade? Well, I’m mature enough to admit when I’m wrong, because Tarte’s Tartelette Mascara has officially converted me to the slightly lighter side. The shade is a nice, true brown—not too warm-toned—and the stiff wand evenly distributes the product for long and fluffy lashes that manage to look dramatic and natural at the same time.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, carnauba wax, TLC complex
- Available shades: 2
Hiding Spot: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Why we love it: This iconic concealer has earned its status as a multi-time Readers’ Choice Award winner for a reason. The Tarte Shape Tape formula delivers full, flawless coverage that instantly brightens dark circles, blurs blemishes, and sculpts the face without feeling heavy. It dries down to a natural matte finish that resists creasing and caking, even through long days and late nights. Makeup artist Alondra Excene likes Shape Tape for oily skin because it’s super-matte, full coverage, and waterproof. “I use Shape Tape on all of my underwater clients. I know once it’s set, it’s not going anywhere,” she says.
“First of all, Shape Tape doesn’t draw attention to dry spots or feel cakey on skin, despite its mattifying effect. It’s formulated with hydrating ingredients, like mango seed and shea butter that leave skin feeling nourished and looking smooth instead of parched and patchy throughout the day. This amazing moisturizing consistency helps the concealer blend so well that it doesn’t crease, too.” —Devon Abelman, contributor
- Key ingredients: mango seed, shea butter
- Available shades: 48
Prime Time: Tarte Double Duty Base Tape Hydrating Primer
Why we love it: A thirst-quencher for your skin and your makeup routine, this coconut-rich primer doubles as skincare, flooding the skin with hydration and creating a smooth, plump canvas for foundation. Tarte Double Duty Base Tape Hydrating Primer grips makeup without pilling, and the subtle dewy finish gives your base that lit-from-within look. Perfect for dry or combo skin types that need a little extra TLC. “It’s like applying a moisturizer, but it also helps your makeup stay put all day,” makeup artist Nydia Figueroa shared previously.
Use it alone on no-makeup days to give your skin a dewy, healthy finish without any coverage.
- Key ingredients: coconut, jojoba, and grapeseed oils, centella asiatica, vitamin E
- Available shades: 1
Don’t Sweat It: Tarte Life Lock Setting Spray
Tarte
Life Lock Setting Spray
Why we love it: Get ready to meet your makeup’s new bodyguard. Tarte Life Lock Setting Spray is an ultra-fine mist that sets your look with a natural finish while locking in hydration and makeup for up to 16 hours. It holds without feeling tight or sticky and works beautifully to refresh throughout the day. “I love using it to marry the makeup into the skin so it becomes one,” makeup artist Natalie Dresher previously shared. “I spray in a snowflake formation across the face and spray a bit onto my makeup sponge and press along the skin to create the most beautiful skin-like finish.” The formula is infused with a powerful combination of skincare ingredients, including bakuchiol, niacinamide, caffeine, and numerous antioxidants, to nourish, reduce fine lines, and minimize the appearance of pores while locking everything in.
- Key ingredients: bakuchiol, niacinamide, caffeine, vitamin E, 10+ superfruit complex
- Available shades: 1
Meet the experts
Source: Allure – www.allure.com
