Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation Review & Swatches
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation ($39) is a new full-coverage gel foundation that launched with the Ulta Exclusive Tarte Double Duty Beauty Collection for Spring 2016.
Double Duty Beauty Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation is available in 10 shades with a creamy gel formula that’s oil-free and promises 12 hours of wear with a hyaluronic acid to keep skin moist.
This is a formula I was very, very excited about because I have drier skin, and this is marketed for skin types like my own.
Know what the good news is?
It didn’t disappoint!
Wow! Wow! I am even more excited after trying this as I adore it. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, but I was a little worried this formula would be too heavy. But that wasn’t the case at all! It almost felt like I was applying moisturizer.
Truly this was an impressive formula and Tarte did a great job on it. If you have drier skin, and you’re looking for smooth, soft, lightweight coverage, this is the way to go!
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation comes housed in an elegant gold topped glass jar that holds 1oz of the foundation. I have to admit this seemed much larger than it is but the good news it’ll likely last me a long time as I tend to use a very small amount of foundation. I think the jar packaging will turn people off but on the upside, Tarte sells a Foundation Brush & Spatula that was created exclusively for use with this formula which I’ll review in a later post. It has a slanted brush on one side and a tiny hook on the other side which acts a spatula to scoop the foundation out so no need to touch it with your fingers.
At a glance, I loved the creaminess of the product but a little worried it would be heavy and mask-like. It isn’t! This is a creamy gel consistency that applies and blends just as easily as a hydrating moisturizer leaving behind gorgeous, soft, smooth, hydrating coverage. They call it full coverage, but I think it runs to more sheer or medium depending on the amount applied. There’s enough pigment here to hide blemishes, redness, darkness, and other imperfections though so don’t let the lack of full coverage get you down!
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation Swatches (Fair Light Neutral, Light Sand, Light Medium Beige)
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation Swatches (Medium Honey, Medium Neutral, Medium Tan Honey)
The thing I loved most about this was the natural coverage it provided. It very seamless and it doesn’t stick or adhere to drier areas. Add in the fact that it’s lightly moisturizing and you’ll find that drier skin will look brighter, smoother, and almost like you’re not wearing foundation. I blame the natural finish on the moisturizing formula. I didn’t like Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation as much as I had hoped I would. This was because it seemed to set to a more demi-matte finish and accentuated drier areas on my face. I thought this formula a nicer one for oily or combination skin where as Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation was better suited for my drier skin. I didn’t get the same natural, flawless look using Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation that I did with Empowered Hybrid Gel. The foundation promises 12 hoyrs of wear and I got about 8 myself without setting with powder which I thought was pretty good. This does have a rose fragrance that was pretty subtle but worthy of a mention for sensitive users.
I only tried six of the shades but I found a good match in Light Medium Beige for those curious about the shade I thought was good for my skin tone.
If you have drier skin and you’re looking for soft, lightly hydrtating coverage that eases dullness and gives tired, dry skin a brighter appearance I think you’ll love Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation! I can see this becoming a potential HG (holy grail) foundation.
Muse Approved.
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation is available now exclusively at Ulta, Ulta.com, and tarte.com.
Tried it?
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