When Tarte first announced these last month I was so excited because they advertised it as either mattifying or hydrating depending on what YOUR skin needs. Cool, right? Self adjusting makeup! Well, if you’re like me you research so many products before you actually buy them. This is one of the ones I researched heavily and decided it wasn’t for me because of my oily skin.
When I placed my last Sephora order, I received a deluxe sample of this in Fair-Light Medium. So, I figured what the eff today and decided to wear it to work and review it for you! Learning together because sharing is caring 🙂
So the basics of this product, the retail price on this is $39USD, which to me is kind of pricey for what it is and the brand, but, I digress. See below for product description.
Clay Stick Foundation is a buildable, powder-to-liquid formula that melts into your skin for medium-to-full coverage, leaving a natural finish that looks and feels just like your own skin. Micro-encapsulated powders then burst with your body heat to keep you shine- and cake-free. The vegan formula features antioxidant vitamins C, E, and Amazonian clay, a skin-balancing powerhouse that hydrates or mattifies, depending on your skin type. The guilt-free blend is free of any harsh chemicals, including talc, gluten, sulfates, and parabens, and it provides buildable, creamy coverage. Use it on-the-go, as a spot concealer, or in lighter or darker shades to highlight and contour—just swipe, blend, and go.
I like and dislike stick foundations for different reasons, but one of the reasons I like them is because they are so easy and mess free to apply and the stick was no exception. It glided onto my skin nicely and didn’t feel too heavy. I blended this out with my Tarte unicorn foundation brush. It did blend out super nicely, but I immediately noticed that it picked up every single texture, nook and cranny on my face like I have never seen with any other foundation. I did apply this over my Becca Evermatte Poreless primer so that shouldn’t have been the issue that it was. For a reference point, I then added some Shapetape under my eyes, and topped it all off with Laura Mercier translucent loose powder. I applied Hula at temples and cheek bones, a couple of shades from my Naked heat palette to my lids, Buxom Mascara and Anastasia Brow wiz on my brows and lastly KVD Lolita everlasting lip. I topped that all off with my GlamGlow Glowsetter setting spray. The foundation itself is somewhat heavy but offers pretty light to medium coverage. It is certainly a buildable coverage but I think it would start to feel really heavy and cakey with more than one layer.
I’ve had the foundation on for a few hours now and while from far away it looks pretty nice, close up, it is a nightmare! It is settling into fine lines around my eyes and my smile lines. It is also looking extremely greasy already. Having used a setting powder and a setting spray I don’t expect oil to peek through until about the 5 hour mark.
I think this foundation stick is awesome for application and blendability, and I think if you have tiny pores, no fine lines and dehydrated skin it will work really well for you. I give this stick a C. 
Mandi Sparkles 
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