Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation ($35) is a new full coverage powder foundation that promises a 2-in-1 formula that acts as not only a makeup but also a skincare with a formula that’s moisturizing and that contains anti-aging ingredients.
Ok, so, brief pause.
I don’t like powder foundation. Sorry!? I have dry skin and I tend to avoid powder foundations, setting powders, etc…it’s just not something I really love using. Although I admit, at times, in the Summer, when my skin allows, I can get away with a little dusting of powder and cheek stain. Those are the days I look all of 16 years old but hey, minimal makeup is kinda nice in the warmer weather.
With much skepticism in place, I decided to give Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation a little tryout.
Here are my thoughts!
Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation comes housed in a purple sleeve with “make today beautiful” in gold scribbled on the front. They include a rubberized sponge with this compact but it doesn’t fit into the actual compact thus the addition of the purple sleeve/slip cover to hold both the sponge and compact for travel. The actual compact is a gold (yes, it is a magnet for fingerprints) which holds a generously sized mirror and 0.39 oz of powder. It’s very pretty but it does attract fingerprints easily.
Tarte launched the powder in ten shade selections and also launched the Powder Foundation Brush & Removable Blending Sponge to use especially with this formula. I’ll have a review of the double-ended brush for you in a post scheduled for later tonight so stay tuned.
Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation isn’t as creamy as they promise nor as moisturizing as I thought it would be but it doesn’t adhere to drier areas and it has a very smooth, even finish on my skin. It can be worn wet or dry but I prefer using it dry. The sponge they include with this compact has two sides one of which is a rubberized one and the other has more of a soft fleece. I find the rubberized side is good for sheerer touch ups where as the softer side picks up and builds color more easily. I wouldn’t say this was full coverage but you can customize it for sheerer to nearly medium coverage. There’s enough pigment to hide imperfections such as darkness, redness, and blemishes and also plenty enough coverage to brighten and even out skin tone.
The most impressive part of the foundation is it looks very good on my dry skin. I also had my friend Mattie try it out, he also has drier skin, and it looked amazing on him as well. He also has visible pores where as I do not and it really created a smooth finish on his skin while blurring his pores. Yeah, we sit in bed, try out makeup, and watch Star Trek Generation reruns at 2 AM, this is my makeup life. Losers! No but seriously, it actually looked very smooth on my skin and didn’t adhere to flakier areas. The most impressive part was the fact that although satiny in finish it never looked cakey, dry, or like I had powder on. Because, let’s face it, no matter how much you prep, powder always has that really dull, suck the moisture out of your complexion, cakey appearance. This did not have that “HEY!!!! I have makeup on!” look.
I’m wearing Light-Medium Neutral below.


Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation Swatches (Fair Neutral, Fair-Light Neutral, Light Beige, Light-Medium Neutral)

Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation Swatches (Medium Honey, Medium Neutral, Medium-Tan Honey)

Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation Swatches (Tan Honey and Deep Honey)

Tarte Fair Neutral Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Fair-Light Neutral Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Light Beige Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Light-Medium Neutral Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Medium Honey Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Medium Neutral Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Medium Tan Honey Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Tan Honey Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

Tarte Deep Honey Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation
Honestly, I likely wouldn’t use it in the Winter as my skin does need something more moisturizing. But I can see myself reaching for this during the warmer, Summer weather to not only keep shine and oil at bay but also because it’s very light and looks very natural.
Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation doesn’t quite live up to the “creamy” or “moist” marketing but it doesn’t adhere to drier skin and it looks pretty darn incredible on dry skin!
Do like!
Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation is available now at tarte.com as well as Ulta and Ulta.com.
Tried it already?
Do share!
It looks really great on you! My oily skin loves a good powder foundation, so I might give the fair/neutral a try.
Thanks Rachel 🙂 You should get on great with it as this is a good formula for oily/combo skin!
I’m guessing this is like a product that both Clinique and Origins have that I love for finishing. Cover Girl even has an inexpensive version of it that I also love! A dry sponge-on powder that is more like MAC Studio Fix than what I’d call an actual foundation. I get a Revlon Colorstay sponge-on that is not the dry texture & I just love & swear by for when I just need to put something on fast. It actually amazes me how nicely it works. I’ll pass on this one because my very fave is the Origins Silk Screen.
Great review! I’ll have to try it this summer. This is totally just a curiosity question, but what do you do with your extra product? Obviously every shade doesn’t work for you so do you give the extras to some lucky friends, toss it or otherwise? Again, just being nosey about the blogger life 🙂
Thanks Becca. Donations to shelters and an organization for city youth, I give stuff to my mom’s senior group, some of my friends take stuff, my sister 🙂
Thanks for responding! Good to know the makeup finds a home
🙂 you’re welcome!
Wow, this foundation looks AMAZING on you! Your skin looks bright, smooth, and soft. I never thought a powder foundation can do that on drier skin. I need to check this one out!
thanks 🙂
This looks nice on you. I may try this one out even though I really don’t need any more foundation right now.
Thanks! 🙂
Looks nice! How does it compare to It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation? I love that product for the warmer months when I am looking for quick, easy application, lighter coverage, and oil tolerant staying power. Looks like a few more shade choices with Tarte.
Hi Muse!
Glad to see your review! I wasn’t able to find many swatches or other reviews on it. Do you find it oxidizes a lot or a little?
I’m debating on getting Light Neutral or Light Medium Neutral and I’m wondering which foundation Light Medium Neutral is closest to? I’m using Armani Luminous Silk in 5.75, tried the Urban Decay Naked Skin liquid in #4 and the Naked Skin powder in Medium Light Neutral. Hope you can help 🙂 Thanks!
I didn’t have issues with it oxidizing on me thankfully. I don’t have all those shades to compare to, I’m sorry about that 🙁
I have it and I’m waiting for a good day out to try it. Very excited.
it looks nice on you!
Thanks Michelle!