May 31, 2017

Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base ($21) is a new “eye foundation” or or matte eyeshadow primer that the brand recently released for Summer 2017. This isn’t Tarte’s first venture into the world of lid primers as they have had Colored Clay CC Eye Primer Stick, Tarte Colored Clay Full Coverage CC Eye Base, and a host of other formulas over the years.

This new formula comes housed in a pot and to my knowledge Tarte hasn’t yet released an eyelid primer in a pot but feel free to correct me if I’m forgetting something.

Let’s take a look at my review and swatches below.

Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base comes housed in a heavier 0.14 oz glass jar with a tortoiseshell face plate that matches the one on the Clay Stick Foundation and Clay Play Face Shaping Palette.

Tarte calls the formula an eye foundation that grips like a primer and provides a neutral, matte finish that allows eyeshadows to wear without fading or creasing. They also promote it as being emollient and soft courtesy a formula that contains carnauba palm. It’s also marketed as an opaque base to neutralize lid discolorations.

As you know Benefit Lemon Aid has been discontinued so, the search is on for something to replace it for me and sadly Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base probably won’t win the spot.

I like the idea of this a lot more than I do the formula. It’s a light beige shade with a yellow undertone (Tarte calls it a warm buff shade) which isn’t exactly universally flattering. For me, it looked a little pasty but I will say that it was incredibly good at intensifying eyeshadows shades. As we already know sometimes Tarte eyeshadows can be a bit sheerer or even a bit too powdery. This sets a good canvas for use with such eyeshadow formulas as it really does intensify the look of eyeshadows and gives them a good base to grip on to. It does in fact keep shadows in place all day without fading or creasing not to mention giving them a bolder, intenser finish.

I just didn’t like the formula sadly. I wish it was a little creamy and easier to spread. This has a very firm texture and I struggled picking up the color due to this not to mention it proved a little hard to blend out. Needless to say there was a lot of tugging involved to get it on my lid. As nicely as it held my shadows down and as great as it did giving them a bolder look and finish it just wasn’t worth the hassle of application. But if you have oily lids you might experience a better application process. My lids and skin are fairly dry so that might account for the struggle I had.

Something to take into consideration is that MAC’s Paint Pot in Soft Ochre is $22 and a smidge larger at 0.17 oz in size and will likely get you a better experience than Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base.

Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base isn’t quite as great as I had hoped for. Oily lids might have a better experience with it than I did but all and all I’d say save your money and buy another primer.

Tarte Lid Lock Clay Eye Base is available now at tartecosmetics.com and should be available soon at sephora.com and ulta.com.

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • blee

    It keeps shadows all day without fading or creasing?? – I’M IN! Thanks for the review Musey girl .:D

    • Isabella Muse

      Worked GREAT for that. Not tacky but has a strong grip! Also, gave them a nice bold finish! But the blending was a PITA!

  • Abbey W.

    It looks a lot like MAC Soft Ochre. I know they don’t claim paint pots as an eye primer, but that’s how I use them. Soft Ochre is my favorite.

  • smurfgir06

    How would you say this compares to the old Stila Prime Pot? That was my Holy Grail.

    • Isabella Muse

      nothing like it. Stila’s formula is a lot slicker in comparison, not matte, and not as firm.

  • Paula

    Lancome has a similar product that I can’t live without! It’s pricey but lasts forever. One pot has lasted me almost 2 years. It’s easy to apply and keeps eyeshadow going all day. I avoid liquid primers now that I’ve been spoiled by this. I use the color “nude”, and I’m a very pale olive tone. I’d love to know what you think?

    • Isabella Muse

      What’s the name of the product? You didn’t mention so not sure if I have or haven’t tried 🙂

      • Paula

        I tried to reply earlier but it doesn’t seem to have gone through. It’s Aquatique Waterproof Eye Color Base. My eyelids and under-eye areas ares dark (my eyelids are a light brown even though the rest of me is very pale). If I don’t feel like using eyeshadow cuz I’m being lazy, sometimes I just put this on with mascara and feel like it really makes my eyes pop. I’ve also used it as an under-eye concealer and it works great for that too but is a little harder to blend out for me as I have some serious crepe-wrinkle going on so a more liquid formula works better for me.

  • Emily

    Did you try different methods of applying and blending? Fingers/sponge/brush? I haven’t tried this and probably won’t any time soon, just curious. I’ve been using my clean fingers a lot more lately for just about everything. Amazingly handy tool!

    • Isabella Muse

      Tried with fingers and I tried with a brush but not a sponge 😀

  • Maggie

    Thanks for reviewing! Going to get this! I’m allergic to most eye bases actually and the ingredients look great in this

  • wendy

    I agree with your review! It’s very hard to get out of the pot and spread on your lids without lots of pulling andtugging.

  • Suzanne

    Thank you for your honest review Muse! I was honestly hoping this was going to be a replacement for Lemon Aid..I use it everyday!! I don’t know what I’m going to do without it, I’m so bummed! I’m sure you’re on the hunt for something similar as well and I can’t wait to hear what it is! Hopefully soon.

  • lemonaid replacement seeker

    have you found anything to replace benefit lemonaid??? I am still looking!!

    • Isabella Muse

      I use mac soft ochre paint pot! Not really lemonade but does brighten well for me!