Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer and the Complexion Lineup Around It

Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer and the Complexion Lineup Around It

Tarte BB blur is the matte tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 that sits at the center of the brand's complexion range. Here are the tarte foundations and concealers around it, plus tinted moisturizers, primers and setting powders from other brands.

The tarte complexion story I find most useful starts with a jar of clay. According to the brand's own timeline, Maureen Kelly discovered the clay behind its foundation in 2008, and in 2011 the clay foundation and maracuja oil hit shelves, inspired by her travels. That same timeline lists the OG shape tape launching in 2016 and going viral. Everything in this first row grew out of that mix of a clay foundation and a very strong concealer.

The product I would start with is tarte BB blur. It is a matte tinted moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30, medium coverage and tarte's Triple-B complex, a blend of natural diamond powder, plants and lipoamino acids. Tarte says you can wear it alone for a sheer tint or under foundation for more coverage. The Light-Medium and Medium-Tan shades are in this row. Next to it, the CC color-correcting tinted serum in Light has colored clay, hyaluronic acid and a plumping peptide, and its pigments shift to your skin tone after a minute or two.

For more coverage there is the clay 16-hour foundation in 56S Rich Sand, face tape foundation in 36S, and shape tape concealer in 16N. Ballin' base poreless primer in Bronze has a rollerball, and creaseless SPF 30 mineral powder sets the whole thing.

My test for tarte bb blur: apply it in the center of your face, blend out, and look in daylight before you add anything else.

Big numbers collage titled TARTE BB BLUR, six products numbered one to six with each product set beside its number: tarte, ILIA and Benefit
Tarte BB Blur

tarte BB blur, foundation and concealer

Tinted moisturizers and skin tints from other brands

These are the tinted moisturizers and skin tints I would put beside it, and they run from sheer to a little more polished. Kosas BB Burst in Light Cool 13 is a gel cream with copper peptides and zinc that you can layer. COUNTER Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer in No. 1 has SPF 20 and a light vanilla scent. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 in SKE ST.5 comes in thirty shades, and the brand says it looks lighter when you first apply it.

Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation in 5 Fairfax is the one with a founder story. Its founder developed her line when conventional makeup made her eczema worse, and this foundation has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance. Saie Slip Tint in Shade One is formulated without silicones and has mineral SPF 35 from zinc oxide. Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint in 1 is a semi-sheer, buildable tint with squalane and meadowfoam seed oil.

U Beauty The SUPER Tinted Hydrator in Shade 01 and MACRENE actives High Performance Tinted Moisturizer in Light are the two treatment-minded picks. MACRENE actives says its formula is talc and mica free and comes in six shades.

What I would skip: layering a tint under a full-coverage foundation when you want a thin base. Pick one or the other and let your skin show.

Tinted moisturizers and skin tints

Primers and finishing powders to go with them

Primers and powders decide how a base lasts, so this row is about finish. Benefit The POREfessional is a lightweight balm that minimizes the look of pores with a natural finish, and YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer in Gold has four nourishing oils and light-infused pigments. ILIA True Skin Radiant Priming Serum in Light It Up is a light gel with hibiscus, aloe and beta-glucan for a glowy base. Eighth Day The Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer has SPF 30 and comes from Dr. Antony Nakhla, a dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon.

For setting, ILIA Soft Focus Setting Powder in Fade Into You is airy and made with bamboo extract. Saie Slip Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder in Translucent 5 uses baked-powder technology to absorb shine. Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder is finely milled and free from talc, parabens and fragrances. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in B10 is the sheer, glowing option.

Use a primer only where you need it, like the nose and chin. Then press a little powder on the same places and leave your cheeks alone.

What I would skip: powder all over a matte base like tarte BB blur. It is already matte, and a second matte layer can look flat.

Primers and finishing powders

Choosing the level of coverage you want

Pick the coverage first, then the product. If you want skin with a little color, wear tarte BB blur alone or choose one of the lighter tints. If you want a long day of full coverage, go to the foundation and concealer in the first row and set only the places that move. Apply from the center of the face outward, use a damp sponge or your fingers, and check the color by a window. A good complexion routine should leave your skin looking like skin, only a bit calmer.

Concealers, sprays and cheek color I use around it

If tarte BB blur is the base you wear most days, this last shelf covers everything you add on top, starting with the eyes. Tower 28 Swipe glides on like a serum with hyaluronic acid and centella, Kosas Revealer carries caffeine and pink algae extract, and tarte Maracuja is a full-coverage under-eye concealer where one dot is enough. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush is creaseproof and waterproof, and NARS Radiant Creamy uses a mineral-tone balancing powder to correct rather than mask.

Next, setting sprays. Urban Decay All Nighter has temperature-cooling technology, ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn uses witch hazel for a matte finish, and tarte life lock brings bakuchiol and caffeine for people who want a hydrating one.

Then cheeks. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch is a liquid blush that needs only one dot, MERIT Flush Balm is a stick with vitamin E, rhode Pocket Blush is a satin cream, and CHANEL Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush is composed of 75% water. For bronzer, Benefit Hoola is a silky powder with a matte finish, while Rare Beauty Warm Wishes is a cream stick you swipe on and blend.

What I would skip: a matte setting spray over a cream blush. Use the hydrating spray there, and buff with the Westman Atelier Baby Blender Brush.

Concealers, setting sprays, blush and bronzer