Spotlight On: Tarte Cosmetics

I wanted to start a series where I would focus in on a specific brand I use, with a background on the brand, their products, and my own personal experience with the items I own. For my first in the series, I decided to take a look at Tarte Cosmetics, one of my personal favorite makeup companies.

Tarte Cosmetics was founded in 1999 by Maureen Kelly, who still serves as CEO of the company today. Maureen started the company as a self-professed "beauty addict" who was left disappointed that she couldn't find "pure, powerful" products in the cosmetic market. She set out to create Tarte Cosmetics as a eco-friendly cosmetic company that provided cruelty-free cosmetics infused with amazing skincare ingredients (such as vitamins, minerals and essential oils). In addition to this, all Tarte products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, gluten and many other irritating ingredients. The company also takes care in their product development, making sure their products look chic and colorful.

Since starting the company fifteen years ago, Tarte has grown to be a favorite makeup line for makeup artists, celebrities and the general public alike. Originally only available in the US and Canada, the line expanded just recently to being available in the UK (something the blogosphere has been abuzz about). The brand has also won various awards for many of their products, including bestsellers such as their Marajuca Oil, Amazonian Clay Blush and Amazonian Clay Cream Eyeshadow.

As for the products I can personally vouch for, I've tried out their Marajuca Oil, Amazonian Clay Blush, Marajuca Oil Creaseless Concealer, Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Concealer, Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer and Lights-Camera-Action Mascara. Whoo, that's a mouthful. I can say that I have enjoyed all of these products, though I do have some definite favorites.

Their Clay Blush is absolutely flaw free, and it's pigmented formula makes for one of my absolute favorite blushes. The Marajuca Oil and their LCA Mascara are also great; I received the mascara in a deluxe sample form, and while I really enjoy it I wouldn't say it's something I reach for each and every day. The Marajuca Oil is fantastic, an incredibly hydrating option to use overnight on my dry skin. It's not something I'd recommend for daily wear, but certainly overnight I think it's a great option.

Their BB Tinted Moisturizer is one product I love. It provides a gorgeous, sheer color that helps even skin tone without looking like you're wearing much. With my dry skin, I prefer to wear another moisturizer underneath it, because I don't find it all that hydrating. However I know there are girls that have oily skin that adore the consistency of this base, and the way it works for their skin. The Full Coverage Foundation is also a great base, although the coverage is a lot more then I prefer to wear. For anyone looking for a full coverage foundation that doesn't look heavy though, this is a must-try. The finish is gorgeous and glowing, and covers any and all flaws.

Finally, there's the Marajuca Creaseless Concealer. As a concealer junkie, I had heard some great things about this option and finally decided to go for it. There's no doubt that this concealer covers well, and even better it is infused with marajuca oil which hydrates the delicate skin underneath eyes. My problem with the concealer is the formula. For some reason, the formula would never dry down on my skin, and instead had a consistently wet, shiny look to it. This could easily have been solved with powder however, when I put powder on it it looked heavy and creased like crazy. That said, I've seen some people look 100% fabulous with this concealer on, and it's many people's HG. It was just too heavy for me, and thus not my favorite product from the brand.

Anyways, with all of this being said, Tarte Cosmetics is a brand I would not only recommend but actually insist that everyone try out. I originally tried it out because it was a Cruelty-Free Option, but ended up falling in love with all of the products for many more reasons. Their Amazonian Clay Blush, Marajuca Oil, and Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer are three products I would recommend to anyone and everyone, and there are many more products from the brand that I look forward to trying in the future.