Tarte recently introduced their new loose powder Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation and the companion Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush. I hate to admit that I’ve had kind of a love hate relationship with loose powder foundations. I love the ease of powder foundations, but they all seem to settle into every nook and cranny on my face. Not a pretty sight! J Given the typical outcome when I use a powder foundation, I tend to avoid them like the plaque! But, being a fan of Tarte in general, and also really loving their original Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation (see my review here), I decided to bite the bullet and give their loose powder version a try! Now for the real test – how does it perform? Keep reading to hear my thoughts!!! J
I ordered the Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation from QVC, so it included the Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush that is designed to work well with the foundation. I would highly recommend this brush if you’re interested in the foundation! The two are designed to work together and they really are perfect for one another! The brush has super soft, quite densely packed, very short synthetic “hairs” that help pick up the foundation and then buff it into the skin. When using the brush to apply the foundation, I get a decent amount of product on the brush head and then dot the powder in spots around my face, concentrating on problem areas. I then use circular motions to distribute and buff out the foundation. If needed, I go back and add a little bit more foundation to extra problematic areas and repeat the same process. Couldn’t be a quicker and easier way to apply foundation! Love that part!!! J
Like all Tarte products, the foundation itself is infused with a bunch of “good-for-you” ingredients, while leaving out the yucky stuff. It is paraben, phthalate and talc-free, so that’s a plus in and of itself. What it does include is what really packs a punch! The secret weapon is the Amazonian Clay, which helps not only absorb excess oil, but does so without drying areas that need more hydration. I still find that mind boggling, but it seems to live up to the claim! J The Airbrush Foundation also contains a gemstone called Tourmaline that is thought to energize the skin (my skin was doing jumping jacks), for a radiance-boost. For anyone with problem skin, pay attention to this – it includes Pearl powder, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Perfect for those with acne-prone or irritated skin!!! There is also Camellia leaf extract to help fight free radicals and aid in skin repair. So, on paper it passes the “sounds amazing” test, but does it look good?!?!
I can report that, yes, the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation looks great on the skin! I have never found a loose/mineral powder foundation that looks nice on my skin, but this one looks great! It does not settle into any lines or pores, though it can accent dry, flaky patches a tiny bit – though no more than any other foundation I’ve tried. Tarte says it is a full-coverage foundation, but I would say it gives a medium coverage that is buildable to full-coverage – if you’re careful with it. I find that it works best over a primer – I’ve been using it with the BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector, and I love using it lightly over a sheer-to-light foundation as a sort of setting powder that adds extra coverage! Tarte says this foundation is waterproof and wears for 12 hours. I would tend to agree with these claims as it does not seem to rub off easily, sweat doesn’t seem to have much effect on the appearance, and it lasts all day! It controls oil quite nicely without being drying or looking too flat, however, it can look a little cakey if you apply too much. Should it lean towards the pancake-look, it is easy to buff away excess product and using the Airbuki brush, it’s pretty easy to get just the right amount of the brush from the beginning to avoid the problem altogether. It is so quick and easy, not to mention its sweat-resistance and shine-controlling abilities, that it is an ideal foundation for Summer! I am definitely impressed with the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation and the Airbuki Bamboo Foundation Brush and would highly recommend it for anyone with combo to oily skin! J
I've tested a new moisturizer recently, which caused a lot of bad
cystic breakouts, so it was a great time to test the coverage of
this foundation! Sorry for all the blotchiness!!! :)
After applying ONLY the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage
Airbrush Powder Foundation with the Airbuki Bamboo Powder
Foundation Brush - Wow! What a difference!
With a touch of Concealer, Cheek & Lip
Stain, Mascara & Brow Pencil
As an aside, another aspect of this product I want to point out is the packaging. I love the packaging! Loose powders can be a nightmare to work with. Tarte has solved the messy, fly-all-over aspect of loose powders with the packaging on this foundation in two ways. First, there is a fine mesh screen over the powder opening that not only prevents the powder from flying all over the place, but when you push down on it with a brush, it dispenses just the right amount of product (I have to admit that your pressure when pushing down will alter the amount dispensed and, thus, the application). Secondly, the cap of the container contours in to meet the mesh screen to keep the powder from flying through the screen and ending up as a mess of powder all around the container. I hate that and every loose powder I’ve ever owned becomes a huge mess because there’s nothing to keep it from floating around the packaging. I hope more companies adopt Tarte’s simple, but effective design that keeps the loose powder in its place! Great thought clearly went into the packaging of the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation and the slight tweaks Tarte decided on works wonders, making the product even more of a joy to work with! J
Overall, I would say that Tarte has done an exceptional job with their new Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation! It controls oil without drying, it covers with a nice light-medium coverage and, most importantly to me, it doesn’t emphasize pores or imperfections. I really enjoy using this foundation, especially with the Airbuki Bamboo Foundation Brush, because it is quick, easy and effective. I also love to use it as a kind of setting powder over lighter coverage liquid foundations. Well done, yet again, Tarte!!! J
The Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Powder Foundation is available in 11 shades. It retails for $36 and can be found at TarteCosmetics.com, Sephora and Ulta.
The Tarte Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush retails for $26 and can be purchased at TarteCosmetics.com, Sephora and Ulta.
Both the Airbrush Foundation AND Airbuki Brush can be purchased together from QVC.com for $39.84 + Shipping & Handling. It is only available in 6 shades with different names than on the Tarte site. This is how I purchased mine, and I ordered the shade “Light.”
posted on 06 December at 13:44
Hello, I was wondering if you have been using this long enough to see if it is going to be hard to get foundation on your brush once the container is not full anymore? This has been bothering me since I bought it and have been wondering what the heck I will have to do once I get low.....ANYONE????
posted on 16 August at 23:16
Hi there! Just want to make sure you used the tarte powder foundation in "Light." It says online, that it has pink tones, but I don't see any pink tones. I actually like the shade, I normally use Mac NC 20.