Review: Tarte Amazonian Clay Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer

Happy Friday everybody! As promised, here's my final thoughts on the popular TM from Tarte :)

You can read my initial opinion about this product here.

PRODUCT: Tarte Amazonian Clay Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer
SHADE: Agent 06 (AKA Veil)
CONTENT: 50ml / 1.7 fl.oz
MADE IN: USA 

INGREDIENTS: 

PRICE: Got it for P1,750 at Stuff In Style

MY SKIN-TYPE: combination-oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin
UNDERTONE: Yellow
FOUNDATION SHADE REFERENCE: Ellana French Vanilla, Lauress Soft Yellow, and I'm around MAC NC20-25 (I think..I haven't been to a MAC counter for a long time)


PROS:

- Very light on the face. I don't feel like I'm wearing anything on even if I applied 2-3 layers.

- Has sun protection (SPF 20) which is enough for everyday wear. You can definitely skip sunscreen if you're not gonna spend a lot of time outside. (I just hope they added PA protection too)

- Didn't cause me any breakouts or allergies.

- 100% vegan and cruelty free

- Good staying power for a tinted moisturizer. Lasts the whole day on me.

- Gives an even-toned and healthy skin which looks really natural. I have fooled a lot of people that I have great skin coz I don't look like I have foundation on my face hehe :)

- Doesn't oxidize on me.

- You can still achieve a natural look even if you applied more layers.
*1 layer is sheer and looks like your normal skin but more even. See? I don't look like I have anything on.

*2 layers is a light-medium coverage that still looks natural but can cover some veins and light pigmentations.

NOTE: You need to use your fingers and pat it on your skin to build coverage. This is the only way I can build it upto a light-medium...using brush doesn't do anything hehe.

- It gives me a dewy look if I get oily during the day...I can actually skip blotting and retouching because whenever I oiled up I get this healthy glow on my skin that looks natural rather than my usual it's-so-shiny-&-oily-i-can-fry-with-it skin that I get with MMU foundations.

Here's a full makeup look applied around 8am.

FOTD: 2 layers of Tarte TM, Ellana Sheer velvet powder, Ellana blush in Intimate, Tony Moly Backstage gel liner in black, Watson cherry lipbalm, H&M cherry lipgloss.

Picture below is taken after 6 hours (around 2pm) from application without any kind of blotting or retouching.

I still look fresh right? My liptint and blush faded already but my skin still looks good even though I perspired a lot during lunch time :)
CONS:

- It's a little sticky while applying the TM...luckily, once it dries up, it's okay. If I'm on the rush, I just use a blotting sheet before I apply my setting powder :)

- The shimmer that gives off a glowing look is very obvious and it can bother some people. I'm okay with it but others might not.

- The shade gets a little darker when you layer it up if you are trying to achieve a higher coverage. One layer is my exact match but if I applied 2 or more layers, it gets a shade darker so I need to apply a light powder on top.


OVER-ALL RATING: 4/5

I really, really am in love with the naturally glowy healthy skin & oil control it gives my skin...oh, and also the lightness of it. I just hated the fact that it's a pain to build the coverage to a medium because (1) I need to use a lot of product which is a waste of money and (2) it gets darker as I layer it up. I definitely suggest you just get a separate foundation for occasions where you need heavier coverage. It will save time, effort and money...BUT nevertheless, I am in love with this product and I will definitely repurchase if I used this up :)


Can you guys suggest a good medium to heavy coverage that's great for oily skin gals that is from a cruelty-free brand? Hope to hear lots of suggestion from you all :)


Thanks for dropping by!

First Impression: Tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer

Hello! It's Saturday again and I'm hoping all of you will have a great weekend..It's quite cloudy outside so do bring an umbrella if you're going outside :)

For today, I wanted to share my first impression on a product that I have just purchased -- Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer. This is my first ever item from Tarte Cosmetics because aside from the fact that we don't have this brand locally, I am actually just got attracted to it because of the rave the Amazonian Clay blushes received. I was debating whether to get this TM or their 12-hr wear foundation, but after a lot of research, I have settled into getting their TM because of the reviews it got.

I got mine for Php1,700 from Windy of StuffInStyle because she stocks US and UK brands regularly and the prices are really reasonable. I also had a smooth transaction with her (this is my first time buying from her) so I definitely recommend her website for those of you looking for brands like Urban Decay, Tarte, EOS, Korres, Stila, NYX, Wet&Wild, Sleek, etc.

Here's what it looked like:

I forgot to take a picture but it arrived with a secured bubble wrap to protect it from getting squeezed during the shipping. I really appreciated the thank you note too :)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: 

"This weightless formula is no lightweight: packed with skinvigorating™ ingredients this tinted moisturizer will keep skin looking and feeling naturally smooth." - From the Tarte website

Tarte is also very proud to be a 100% Cruelty and Vegan brand ^_^

For more info on the product, please check out and visit their website:

http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-smooth-operator-tinted-moisturizer

INGREDIENTS: 

CONTENT: 50ml/1.7 fl.oz.

MY SHADE: Agent 06 (Veil) - light skin w/ yellow undertones

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS:

I have only used this product 3x since I got it so I will still be posting a final review after I've used it for at least a month.

Here's a before & after picture of me wearing the tinted moisturizer and also how it looked after a couple of hours since application. I used a loose powder to set the TM because I have oily skin. I wore it outside and it was very hot that day so I was perspiring a lot. The last shot was taken without any retouching and I just used a tissue paper to blot my sweat before taking a picture.

(+)

- I liked the fact that it contains SPF 20 ...I'm not sure about the PA but at least it has a high SPF that is perfect for everyday use :)

- It is from a brand that is 100% cruelty free and vegan

- Feels very light on the skin. It feels like I'm not wearing anything on my face.

- Looks very natural. It blends well on the skin.

- This doesn't contain harmful chemicals like paraben, SLS, etc. Perfect for sensitive skins.

- Has a great shade system for everyone. Shade Agent 06 is a perfect match for me because it has the right amount of yellow undertone.

- It did not oxidized on me! This is the coolest part. I did try to get a shade lighter but I ended up getting an exact match with 06 so I was really worried at first but it ended well. It did not get dark and muddy on me unlike other foundation/BB Cream/ TM I used before.

- Doesn't cake even if you applied multiple layers and it still feels light on the skin even if you have 4 layers already which is kind of nice.

- I think this is great for any skin type. I currently have a skin asthma attack so some areas of my face are flaky and very dry and some are oily but this TM worked fine on all the areas of my face :)

- This haven't broken me out after 3 consecutive uses and hopefully it won't. I'll update you guys on that.

(-)

- this has a very sheer coverage. I've read somewhere that this is light to medium coverage but when I tried it, it just gives a sheer coverage.

- Not buildable coverage. I tried using my fingers on my first try and 2 kinds of brush on my next 2 tries and all 3 gave me light coverage. I tried applying more layers hoping it can give me at least a medium coverage but it stayed the same.

- It becomes itchy when I sweat a lot which is not uncommon for me but it irritates me when that happens. I'll try this again when my skin is not acting up so I can test this further.

OVER-ALL, I am still in the middle whether I am happy with my purchase or not. I like that it doesn't oxidize and it feels light on my skin but I want some coverage to cover my acne scars. I will try other methods to see whether I can achieve the effect I want just by using this.

I am also asking my sister to test it out too so she can give me her opinion and I can share them with you on my final review since we have different skin type -- she have dry sensitive skin and I have combination acne prone skin.

Have you guys tried using this Tarte Smooth Operator TM? Please share your thoughts and also your techniques on applying this product. I would really appreciate it. ^_^

Thank you for dropping by!