Since I am on the hunt for a natural primer, I also checked out Tarte’s Clean Slate.
I really enjoy the feel of silicone-based primers. They just seem to work, slide on better, and do the job.
Being a fan of Smashbox’s Primer for a while now, I figured it was the closest match.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Synthetic Fragrances
– Synthetic Dyes
– Petro-Chemicals
– Phthalates
The Good Things:
- Feels JUST like a Smashbox Primer going on (same slippery feel)
- Cheaper than Smashbox by $9 and you get 0.17oz more to boot
- My skin looked instantly dewy and soft, rather than shiny and oily
The Bad Things:
- Umm…….? It has silicones in it?
Tarte versus Smashbox
For the most part, it looks like the Tarte Clean Slate has more oils from fruits and flowers than Smashbox.
The two major ingredients that cannot be removed are Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone Crosspolymer — those are the silicones that give that great, slippery feel to the primer and make them work so well.
Tarte is also paraben-free, which is a plus.
The In-Depth Verdict:
I covered my face half with Tarte’s Clean Slate on the right, and Korres Vitamin E Cream Primer on the left.
It feels much less oily than the Korres side, I also don’t feel it being as heavy on my skin.
When I move my face, I can almost feel the Korres side pulling with the weight of the product on there, but the Tarte side feels light and free.
The real test came when I put on the Bare Escentuals.
Both sides looked perfectly dewy with the Bare Escentuals on.
In fact, Tarte Clean Slate seemed to do slightly worse, but maybe it’s just because that side of my face is not as smooth and poreless as the other.
So far, after 4 hours, both look fine.
No makeup has melted off, and both sides of my face look a little shiny, probably from the SPF moisturizer I have underneath.
I did notice that the Tarte side seemed to have hold on the blush just a tad better, but it might be just be as a result of my amateur makeup application skills.
The first application of the Tarte Clean Slate, made my skin feel and look less shiny, but now when I look in the mirror, both sides of my face look exactly the same.
When I rub my cheeks, the left side with the Korres is slightly oilier which I am not a fan of.
No makeup has melted off, and both sides of my face look a little shiny, probably from the SPF moisturizer I have underneath.
I think Tarte is great if you want something that is…
- slightly cheaper as a natural primer, in comparison with Korres
- significantly cheaper than Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer
- going to feel exactly like Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer (silicone to fill in the lines)
- won’t make your skin feel oily to the touch after application
- want something that is not a cream that will absorb into your skin
I think Tarte is not to hot if you…
- are uncomfortable with silicones
- want something with vitamin E, jojoba oil and all this other great-for-skin stuff
- don’t moisturize beforehand (moot point for me, I need SPF on my skin at all times)
Enjoy!
(I ended up buying the Tarte Clean Slate primer)
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So, you can put a primer on top of SPF and still have the same sun protection? I HAVE to be sun protected (SPF 60 La Roche Posay every single day, plus a big hat in summer). I also wear mineral makeup to cover brown patches (from sun). Do you know for sure that primer won't wipe off the sunblock? I always put on lots of sunblock, then wait 30 minutes (okay, I'm always late so only 15 minutes) then blot with a tissue before putting on makeup.
Well I put the primer on top and it seemed okay
I wouldn’t know if it rubbed off the sunblock per se, but I wear Korres SPF 6 moisturizer which really absorbs into my skin
I figured: Since it absorbs into my skin, and I put a primer over it — it should be ok?
I don’t know for sure if it doesn’t work. However, I have noticed that my skin is noticeably less scaly, dry, flaky and irritated due to the sun beating down on it, but perhaps it’s just because of the moisturizer itself, that it has seemed to have healed up into soft, wonderful skin
You mentioned that both sides looked dewy when you put on your foundation/whatnot. The dewy part might be because of the Bare Minerals – it has a light sheen to it. Stylists tell you not to wear it for photoshoots because it makes you look "sweaty" or slick. Bare Minerals does make a Matte version too, though.
Oh, I did! Thanks for catching that.
I am thinking of switching off Bare Minerals once the pot is gone (going to take another 3 years at this rate), and going with that natural minerals from the drug store.
i do the half face tests to compare two products also!
I agree with @geekinheels. I use the Monistat Chafing Gel, which feels/looks/goes on/stays on in the exact same manner as the Bare Escentuals primer.
I love it, and for frugality, it can’t be beat. Though, I have had a few people go in my makeup drawer and do a “wtf” when they see the Monistat gel.
.-= StyckyWycket´s last blog ..Interconnectivity =-.
*gasp*
Why did I not know about this sooner!? DARN IT.
This is something I learned just recently, but did you know that Monistat Chafing Gel is the SAME FORMULA as the Smashbox Photofinish Primer, but at 1/5 of the price? I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good replacement "primer."
The only thing is that the Smashbox Primer is not very natural, right?
So that’s why I switched to Tarte Clean Slate….
Thank you for this review! I'm still experimenting, and figuring out my thoughts on primer overall, so it's great to hear someone's feedback on it (especially with a brand I've no experience with, like Tarte).
I might give the Tarte clean slate a try, I'm currently using a MAC primer but planned to find one with less chemicals when I finish the whole bottle.
That’s where I’m at. I actually prefer it over the Smashbox, after trying out the Smashbox for a couple of days
My skin doesn’t feel like it breaks out as much, if that makes any sense. Or as oily at the end of the day.
Great review! I don't have a primer I love (I use the Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel actually), but I'm trying to get that dewy look because my skin is so dull in the winter. I might check this out in Sephora. 🙂