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Monday, August 8, 2016

Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation & Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation Review and Swatches

Update: Hey Everybody! I took a week off to go out of town :) I went to see the 80's group Culture Club. You may remember a few months ago (May), I went to see my favorite 80's group Duran Duran. I made it a priority to see these popular British groups, while they were touring in the US. I've read two books from a couple of members of Duran Duran, so I plan on doing a post about them. I'm about to read two books written by Boy George about his life. When I finish them, I want to do a post on his life. Knowing the background of a person, really tells you a lot. Again, I plan on sharing these on my blog. On the home-front, the contractors painted and laid the flooring in my living room. It looks so pretty :) I'm really happy with the results. There's only one room left and my home will be complete! Yay! Then decorating! Boo! LOL There's always something to do in a house. If you haven't already heard, Instagram has started Instagram Stories. Companies and influencers have been trying BOTH platforms. But I don't think people are enjoying posting on BOTH platforms. So as you can imagine, information has been all over the place. I've decided not to post Snapchat Story round-ups on my blog anymore because of this. Everything is all over the place! BUT, don't fret!!! Anything new, that I feel is worth mentioning (swatches, events, new products etc), I'll post on my Twitter account. I find this method to be quicker and more up-to-date. Just wanted to let you guys know of my changes.


Now onto this review! I have been sitting on this review for THE LONGEST! I purchased these foundations in April and took these pictures in May. LOL I hated these foundations then, tried and re-tried them over several months and still hate them. The first red flag (that I ignored), was that the gel foundation came in a jar. It is so messy! This foundation also has a chemical smell, which is a real turn-off. It looks creamy on my hand, but when you apply it to your face it's so thick and turns pasty-powdery. I'm use to heavy foundations, but this is just too much. Once it dries down, it left me looking ashy & grey. I don't have good luck with Tarte foundations. You may remember my disappointment with Tarte's Rainforest of the Sea foundation (but at least the results were better than this). HaHaHa The coloring of Tarte foundations are always off, especially for WOC (women of color). Then there is the Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation! I don't see how anyone can use this JUST as a foundation! It works better as a powder over foundation. Tarte is becoming so hit & miss with me. For every winner, there are a bunch of duds! So you really have to be careful. I have a couple of other products from Tarte that I will be reviewing for you this week. I'm happy to say 3 are winners and 1 is a dud. LOL So stay tuned...HaHaHa

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation is Not Sweet
Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation is Bittersweet

Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation


Tarte Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation

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25 comments

  1. I don't think I am on board with the new instagram feature,Kim! I also think it's too much. Thanks for this review.

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  2. Shame that the products aren't any good for you Kim! I love the Tarte blushes I won in your giveaway a while back, they did them well :)

    It will be interesting to see what happens with instagram and snapchat. I had a bit of a play with it on instagram but I really don't have anything exciting enough to share.


    Away From The Blue Blog

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  3. I have never heard of a hybrid gel foundation before. The thought of it just sounds thick and messy. Too bad Tarte could not come up with a formula that worked.

    Culture Club must have been a blast to see! I saw Boy George recently as a judge on a tv show but I can't remember what I was watching. :)

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  4. Oh man1! I'm so out of it! This is the first time I've heard of Instagram Stories. I don't go on IG anymore though...so I guess it doesn't really pertain to me:P Anyhoo, as always, thanks for the honest review on these Tarte products, Kim. That's too bad these foundations are a miss. I've always liked Tarte but I admit I've never tried their foundations.
    PS You went to see Culture Club?!?!? So jealous! "Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?" :D

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  5. After Instagram changed their feed, it kinda put me off, I hope they change it back to how it was before. I haven't properly checked the stories but yeah companies just copy each other, I wish they could stop that.
    That foundation doesn't sound right, especially the chemical scent. I'm sure I'd hate it so I will pass that.

    Ela BellaWorld

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  6. Culture Club! Duran Duran!! Kim, bring me with you the next time you go to a gig :D

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  7. I imagine the Instagram Stories with the Snapchat would be tedious or overkill, but perhaps good for brands. I have not used the IG Stories yet. I hope that you enjoyed your week off. I did the same, but to travel and visit family. I used to listen to Boy George and Duran Duran growing up, my sister had so much of their music. Great review Kim, the foundation definitely doesn't sound like it's good for me with the pasty and grey cast after application.
    FASHION TALES

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  8. Gel foundation in a jar? Yuck! Thanks for an honest review Kim, I know this product wouldn't be for me. And as for snapchat versus instagram stories, I've decided I'm sticking to Snapchat for now... but we'll see how it all goes.
    xox,
    Cee

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  9. Any beauty product with a chemical smell would be a no no and foundation packaged in a jar just sounds so impractical. I'm sorry to hear that these two foundations didn't work out for you Kim. But thank you for taking the time to share your honest experience with us. I hope you enjoyed your time off last week and the Culture Club concert. I was a total Durannie back in the day but haven't kept up with the group lately so I'm so looking forward to your post about them! JT was my fave :D

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  10. Is Culture Club on tour?! I grew up listening to them because my mum was the biggest fan! LOL! I saw the new IG Stories feature and yay to me for not bothered with SnapChat and now I have it on IG. LOL! And damn, Zuckerberg is really throwing a massive shade to SnapChat after failing to purchase them. Hahaha!

    I have not purchase anything from Tarte since forever, for some reason I'm losing interest in the brand just like how I'm not as excited for Urban Decay anymore.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  11. Hi, interesting product and great review. I really like your blog. I'm your new followers # 785 if you want, come to my blog ♥

    https://teresaemme.blogspot.com

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  12. I was actually excited at the idea of a gel foundation--- until I read the rest of the review.
    Bummer.

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  13. Yeahhh the Instagram stories is kinda too much. There are too many platforms to keep up with. I'm sorry these products didn't work for you! I don't think I would like them very much either. Thanks for the honest review as always Kim!

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  14. I still don't know how I feel about the Instagram stories. I don't hate it as much as I thought I would, but it's too much like Snapchat while not being the same at all. lol

    I wouldn't expect anything from Tarte to have a chemical smell because they market themselves as being a more natural option. I think the mistake tarte and every similar brand is making is the discontinuing of good products to have constant release of new products that are hit or miss. It's turning me off from a lot of brands lately. I appreciate your honesty with your reviews, Kim!

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  15. I've been loving Insa Stories b/c I didn't have a Snapchat, so I felt like I was missing out on so much! I just didn't want to have to keep up with yet another social platform, so when Insta made this update, I was so happy! I can share what I want on one single platform, but I've been hearing mixed feelings on it, mainly about the disappointment in filters. I'm sure with time, Insta will add something, I think they're just testing things out. That said, I've had similar experiences with Tarte. I used their Amazonian foundation for a few years and it was okay. Not the best of coverage for what I needed at the time, which is why I eventually ventured out. Plus, I learnt that it was making me break out, worsening the problem I had prior to using it. I've also had a not so good experience with their blushes, the colors, I felt, weren't pigmented enough and didn't really show up on me; I had to apply A LOT! It comes a no surprise that you didn't like this one. I don't know why they keep using these jars for these kinds of products. I was using their blur primer and it was in a similar container, which I really didn't like. Anyway, congrats on almost being done with the remodel on your home! You should definitely share some before and afters. Now with no decor added and then once you're "done" (no one is ever really done decorating, haha). Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you have a great weekend! Oh, and I'm glad you were able to have fun at the concert, too!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

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  16. I hope you had a nice time out of town Kim! And how exciting your home renovations are almost done! I loved your snapchat story posts so I'm sad to see them go! But I totally understand, there is a lot to keep up with now, with the Instagram stories too. I kind of like the idea of Instagram stories because I'm on there more than snapchat but I don't know.

    Too bad these didn't work out well! I was curious about the cream gel foundation but now I'll stay away. The chemical scent would bother me. I'm excited to see your other reviews for tarte products though!

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  17. I agree with you Kim, this product has a matte finish and takes life to your face, by the way I love Culture Club and Duran Duran music love 80's Happy start to the week!

    www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

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  18. Great post! Thanks for the honest review!
    -Kate // www.classyandkate.com

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  19. I've actually been enjoying the rainforest of the sea foundation but this I have zero desire to try. No thanks to foundation in a jar. ever! But my new love is Nars all day weightless luminous foundation (or something like that). It's been really good!

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  20. Shame these have such a strong chemical scent and are, for lack of a better term, pretty crappy. I did want to purchase these, but now I will save my money.
    Angie | Chocolate & Lipstick | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

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  21. Looking forward to your Duran Duran and Boy George book reviews. I saw the snaps of your newly layed floor. The black looks really elegant. This foundation sounds horrible. I hate it when we as women of colour cannot find our proper shade range when it comes to base makeup. Products are definitely a miss when we keep trying it out with different options but it still don't want to work.

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  22. Oh dear this foundation hides your beauty! Ashy and cakey are the right words.... I'm glad your house is turning out how you want it to! You are a true fan of British singers, looking forward to your posts! I'm sad about the snapchat recaps :-( I will keep a closer eye on your Twitter account! Now off to your latest reviews, I fell behind!

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  23. What a pity these didn't work out. Now we know! Oh yes I still haven't posted a single Snapchat or instagram video. My phone has been going nuts though so I'll try to figure it out when it's working well again!

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  24. so awesome about your home renovations! hope you had a lovely time away!!

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