April 23, 2015

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Tarteguard

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($32) launched recently with the Tarte Summer 2015 Collection in two sizes (they have a smaller 0.4 oz for $12 should you want a purse friendly version).

Tarteguard is an appealing pick for those who want a non-chemical sunscreen to help protect skin! It’s the first time Tarte has launched an SPF product of any kind so that also makes it an exciting product.

Let’s take a peek!

Tarte Tarteguard

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion comes housed in a cute bright purple and coral rubber bottle. I LOVE the packaging so much! It has such an 80’s vibe to it. The bottle reminds me of those plastic money containers that people put their money and bits and bobs inside while at the beach or the pool. Remember those? However, I also hate the packaging haha…! Unfortunately it toes the line at being cute and irritating because like NARS packaging it collects grime easily! I’ve been using it daily and since this is a cream I did end up getting the packaging pretty gross by handling it when my hands were slightly sticky after application. Eep! If you’re at the beach when using this, well, let’s just say it won’t travel friendly as between the cream formula and sand imagine the mess?

Tarte formulated this with a host of antioxidants as well as maracuja to add moisture to skin. It’s very highly fragranced! It’s a fresh, ocean lily fragrance according to Tarte and it does indeed have a fresher, floral scent. I liked it because it doesn’t have the gross SPF smell to it but I realize that the fragrance will prove irritating to those with sensitivities.

This formula is a thicker SPF texture! At first pump I was like, “Oh cool! Looks pretty thin!” but it is fairly thick and it does take a hot second to absorb fully. It does have a pasty finish at first application but it sets normally so don’t worry you won’t have a Casper the Friendly Ghost finish. It doesn’t dry down matte though and it is fairly hydrating and very moist and dare I say greasy. On the initial application I had a moment of, “Oh boy! How am I going to apply makeup with this on my face?!” but it does set to a smoother less greasy feel after several minutes. You have to take sometime to really massage it into your skin to get it fully absorbed. But again, it isn’t matte and does remain dewy to the touch.

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion swatches

Tarte Tarteguard swatches

A few things to keep in mind…

It’s an SPF 30 only which means you’ll have to reapply quite often to be fully protected. The levels of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are very low compared to other sunscreens I personally use and also the price is higher and the size is smaller. For example, my Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream is 2 oz in size for the same $36 price tag and contains 13.9% Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide versus the 1.7 oz size Tarteguard with 3.36% of Titanium Dioxide and 4.13% of Zinc Oxide at $36.

I think the fact that Tarteguard is a non-chemical sunscreen will make it a popular pick but for me personally I desire a higher SPF level as well as more Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. This might be good for me on a shorter day when I’m indoors more than out!

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion is available now at Sephora and Sephora.com.

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion3

Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion5

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

      • Linda

        Ah I must have read it too fast and completely overlooked it. Thank you for the review!

        • Isabella Muse

          no problem! on my phone at the moment pain in the butt to copy/paste here: Tarte formulated this with a host of antioxidants as well as maracuja to add moisture to skin. It’s very highly fragranced! It’s a fresh, ocean lily fragrance according to Tarte and it does indeed have a fresher, floral scent. I liked it because it doesn’t have the gross SPF smell to it but I realize that the fragrance will prove irritating to those with sensitivities.

  • Caroline

    Thx for the review! I am a Shiseido sunscreen die-hard ( also like EltaMD ) so…probably will stick with Shiseido. Although, was tempted at first when you spoke about the cool packaging…hehe.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha yeah the packaging is darn nifty but man it collects grime!

  • Katherine T.

    Total skip for me – don’t like fragrance in face products, and this one is highly scented

  • Sissi

    I think an SPF of 30 is already a fabulous number. Higher numbers are overrated as an SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays. After that, it just gets silly. None offers 100% protection. The numbers are a pure illusion made up from sunscreen companies. I do think this Tarte Sunscreen sounds perfect for me! 😉 Thank you for introducing my Isabella!

    • Karen Kordonowy

      I agree with you Sissi completely. The numbers get really out of hand with sunscreens.The difference between a 30 and 50 is like 2%. There is no such thing as 100%. You will love the Tarte Sunscreen I can guarantee it. It’s not sticky, gooey or anything. I just squirt some on the back of my hand and use my finger to apply. Such a wonderful difference from the ones that made my face white and were really thick. I don’t find this thick at all, actually I find it rather thin which I like.

  • Karen Kordonowy

    I purchased this product and love it. It goes on like silk and does take a minute or so to fully absorb. I have sensitive skin and don’t notice any scent at all. I think it’s a great physical non-chemical sunscreen. Maybe for hot sunny days (if you are out in the sun) a higher SPF may be good but I am never in the sun except for running errands, etc. I use a sunscreen all year long. This would be a good sunscreen for seasons other than the hot summer for those who are out in the sun a lot. You mentioned the Shiseido sunscreen. What SPF is that one? Thanks.

      • Karen Kordonowy

        No I didn’t notice a strong scent at all. I’m also allergic to perfumes so I have a pretty good nose for scents. It doesn’t bother me at all. Thanks for the link to the Shiseido one.

        • Isabella Muse

          that’s interesting! I liked the smell, it’s a nice fresher floral and not the typical gross SPF smell but it is fairly strong to my nose so I thought it deserved mentioning as many people always ask me about the fragrance in products. No problem!!! I just purchased it at Macys a few months ago maybe they re-marketed it as wet force now!?

  • Karen Kordonowy

    Just checked the Shiseido website and their sunscreen says Ultimate Sun Protection Wetforce.Is this the one you are talking about? I never go in the water so I don’t need one that’s waterproof.

      • Karen Kordonowy

        Didn’t see that one on their website. Maybe they have changed and renamed it wetforce?

        • Isabella Muse

          possibly? Just purchased one at Macys in February of the same name! but that was a few months ago so maybe they renamed!

          • Karen Kordonowy

            I called Macy’s and they did change just the name. They added the wetforce word but it’s always been waterproof. They said it’s the same sunscreen just the addition of that word so I assume it’s probably more waterproof than before. Thanks for the recommendation and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your reviews on products and when and where they will be available!

          • Isabella Muse

            interesting! wonder why they bothered with a remain! My pleasure! Aw thanks Karen VERY flattered 🙂 I hope you try the SPF, it’s one of my favs, great if you spend a lot of time outdoors!

  • Rachel R.

    Darn. I was really excited until the “highly fragranced” part. My sensitive skin and eyes don’t get along with most stong floral scented face products.

  • Iris

    I’m concerned about the scent. Too bad Canada’s Sephoras don’t carry it in-store or I’d go over to sniff and sample it to see if it worked for me.

    • lint

      Hey Canadian Sephora has this in stock now! I didn’t find the scent that strong to be honest but I’m used to/enjoy florals

  • Laura

    Canada’s Sephoras do carry it in-store! I purchased it yesterday while picking up my free birthday gift. I’m sure they’d make a sample for you.

    • Iris

      Awesome! Thank you for the heads up. I will someday sample it. Hopefully, it works for me.

  • Jules

    This is just Tarte using marketing to scare people…first of all, there’s no such thing as “non-chemical” sunscreen! Water is a chemical, and it makes up roughly two-thirds of your body. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are chemicals, and they will not hurt you in the amounts used in sunscreen. So not only is the labeling of this product dishonest, but it’s exploitative. Don’t let marketers exploit fear.