No. No, no, no, and no. The hype isn't all it's cracked up to be. Let me explain.
Tarte Shape Tape concealer has been talked about in the beauty blog and YouTube world for a while now. I watched plenty of women (albeit twenty-somethings) try this concealer only to rave about how wonderful it was. I thought, "Well, heck. I need to try it, too." So, I went on the hunt...for months. I searched for the right shade that was out of stock even on the Tarte Cosmetics website. I figured it has to be pretty great stuff if you can never find it, right? But was it?
I finally got my hands on the perfect shade after stalking Ulta Beauty (three different locations) and checking the Tarte website every other day. I was so excited to try this "holy grail" product that has been praised by so many. At first application, I loved it. My horrible dark circles finally looked concealed for a change. It was wonderful for covering up redness and blemishes, too. The first time I tried it, I only wore makeup for a couple of hours and it still looked fabulous when I went to remove it. The next time I used it I wore make up for a full day. This is where Tarte Shape Tape Concealer and I decided to break up.
As a 41-year-old that can pass for 25 on a good day, I thought my skin could use the same products as a lot of twenty-somethings use, and for the most part, that is true. However, this concealer is not for forty-something skin, no matter HOW great your skin is. As you get older, you lose moisture and collagen in your skin, changing the elasticity. Even those of us that take care of our skin and look younger still have fine lines and skin that has been exposed to the elements for 40 plus years.
This concealer, no matter what they tell you, settles into fine lines. Regardless of how I applied it or how much moisturizer or primer I used, it settled into my fine lines around my eyes within a few hours. By the end of the day, my under-eyes looked blotchy, flaky, and downright awful. I have had concealers fade throughout the day, but this resulted in something I had never anticipated or experienced: it made me look older. I tried it a few times thinking that I just applied too much, or too little, or I didn't blend correctly. Every time I used it I had the same end-of-the-day result.
Let me be clear about two things.
1. Tarte Cosmetics is awesome. I have used some of their other products and LOVE them. I have an eye shadow palette that I use all the time and it's wonderful.
2. This concealer is great for someone with young, smooth skin. For a teen or a twenty-something, this would be perfect for concealing all kinds of skin issues.
My conclusion of my Tarte Shape Tape journey is that this isn't a great concealer for anyone over about 35. I found that I looked better just using my foundation under my eyes than trying it again and again hoping for something new but still getting the same result. That's the definition of insanity, isn't it? I suppose I just wanted to love it as much as everyone else does.
This whole experience sent me on a journey of finding a new concealer that works and still looks good at the end of the day. It led me to Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer. It does a great job at covering redness, dark circles, and blemishes without the dreaded end of the day gasp when I look in the mirror. I am still willing to try other high-end concealers that are raved about. Maybe my next journey will be It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye.
I was sort of a late bloomer when it comes to makeup, fashion, and beauty in general. Maybe it's the fact that I grew up in the 90's grunge era when flannels and Birkenstocks were kings. (Which, to be honest, was a hell of a lot easier than teenagers have it with trends these days).
Makeup, especially, was not something I was way into. I am sure the fact that I was a dancer and performer and spent Friday nights and all day Saturdays in stage makeup for all four years of high school, had something to do with that. I was also never taught the proper way to apply basic makeup. I learned from those around me, and from what I had to do for dance and colorguard. Fast forward to college when it was the mid 90's and burgundy lips outlined in black were all the rage. **cringe** Then...then I turned 40.
I have spent the majority of my adult years in minimal or no makeup. Then the big 4-0 happened and I suddenly got obsessed. It all started when I wanted to learn how to do better eye shadow and started searching YouTube for tutorials. I was sick in bed one weekend and I spent HOURS on YouTube. Then I found JamBeauty89. Sweet Jessica Braun. Her face always looks flawless and her reviews of products are so honest. She's adorable and I now feel like she's my little sister, waiting anxiously for her next video. I saw a video of her talking about a line I had never heard about before, ELF Cosmetics. It's because of her that I am now obsessed with ELF.
I found that Target now carried ELF, so I went and purchased a couple of items that Jessica had talked about on her channel. Then the spiral happened. I can't even tell you how many ELF products I now own. It is by far the best inexpensive cosmetics line I have ever used. Most of their products are hits, but there are some products that are misses. The price is so cheap, though, that I never feel bad for having spent the money to try a product that turns out to be a dud. The majority of their products are truly AMAZING. (Makeup and brushes ranging from $1-$12, with the majority of products in the $3-$6 range).
The first product from ELF I would recommend is their Flawless Finish Foundation. I have had numerous compliments on my face and makeup when I wear this foundation. I have really sensitive skin and this is the first drugstore brand that I have been able to wear without breakouts or skin irritations. I usually use a beauty blender or this Beautifully Precise Multi Blender by ELF to create a blended application.
The second product from ELF I would recommend is from their skin care line: the Hydrating Bubble Mask. It's become a weekly ritual for me. It's kind of a weird sensation, tingling a bit when the bubbles start to form, but my skin never feels cleaner and softer than it does after I use this. Men and women both will love this mask. Plus, it's a fun way to spend a quiet evening at home.
It's been hard to choose the last product because I could write about dozens of their products I love, but, I will recommend their bronzer. I had the one in warm, but I used it all up and need to repurchase. I used it every single day until it was gone. It was such a subtle and gorgeous glow to the skin, making this California girl still "sun-kissed" in the fall and winter months.
Jessica started my obsession with ELF Cosmetics, which then led to my obsession with everything else she recommends. That led me to other YouTubers and other brands that I now love. Too Faced and Tarte have become favorites of mine as well.
So, if you are just starting out with this beauty thing like I was, or if you just need a change, I highly recommend ELF. It's also great if you have a teen that is just starting out their journey into the cosmetics world and wants to try different products. I also highly recommend checking out Jessica's channel. I have learned so much about beauty and products from her. If you want some other recommendations, let me know in the comments. Happy shopping! .....and sorry not sorry about your impending obsession.
