Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer is honestly one of the best in the business. So when the brand announced they were releasing a foundation, we all screamed with joy. Even better, they were releasing two formulas, Hydrating and Matte with 18 shades each.

• HYDRATING: A hypoallergenic, luminous-finish gel foundation featuring the same complexion-perfecting superpowers as shape tape concealer with an added boost of skin-smoothing, oil-free hydration. Provides buildable, longwearing coverage in a skin-smoothing, weightless gel. The collagen & hyaluronic acid-packed formula continuously hydrates while helping to plump skin & refine pores, without creasing, caking or fading for 12 hours.
• MATTE: A vegan & oil-free full coverage foundation that feels weightless on skin, with a modern matte finish. Provides the same full coverage as its concealing predecessor – it smooths over pores & imperfections with rich, airbrushed full coverage that dries to a flawless matte finish using a unique, concealer-inspired wand. The formula absorbs oil & shine while leaving skin creaseless, hydrated, free of flakiness or cakiness & helping to improve skin health with every application.

Being that I have oily skin, I picked up the matte version in Medium Beige.

I’ve now tried it 3 times. And each time, I prepared my face by exfoliating, applying collagen serum, eye cream, and moisturizer.

The first time was a MASSIVE disaster. I used it over BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector. And let it be known, two mattes don’t make it right. My face hated me for three days after.

The second time I used it over MUFE’s Step 1 Hydrating Primer. I figured boosting it with some hydration may help. Plus, everything looks amazing over this primer… just not this foundation. I couldn’t bring myself to walk out of my house at how bad it looked.

And the last time, I documented for you, using POP Beauty Face Magnet. This is my most recent every day primer. It’s comfortable and helps your foundation look natural and glowy all day.

And well these is the results. These pictures were taken only using daylight, and have not been edited in any way.

My complexion looked cakey, dry, and it sat on my pores. It literally magnified every single one of my flaws, and aged me 10 years. It looked awful. I tried it with both a beauty sponge, which did was a waste of time. And a buffing foundation brush. I even tried to thin it out with Mario Badescu Rose Water, it really didn’t help.

But I wanted to be fair and try it on someone else, because maybe it was just me? So I used my sister. She has combination skin, and it’s also 4 years younger.

This is her bared face.

And this is after.

Maybe with some color and makeup, it’d look better?

Nope. Even worse. It looked awful on us both.

I can not, by any means, recommend this foundation. To anyone. There are plenty of matte foundations out there that are flawless. And at $39.00 USD, which I paid for, it’s not worth it. I normally don’t return products, but this IS going back to Ulta.

However, I am not leaving you empty handed. If matte foundations are your jam, here are two of my all time favorites:

• DRUGSTORE: Maybelline FitMe Matte + Poreless Foundation – $7.99 USD
• HIGH END: MUFE Mat Velvet+ Foundation – $41.00 USD

Now remember, this is only a review on the matte shape tape foundation. I have not tried the hydrating one. And if do, you know, I’ll share my thoughts with you.

Have you tried Tarte’s Shape Tape Matte Foundation? What are your thoughts?