That depends ENTIRELY on the texture of your skin. If you've got smooth skin, the synthetic "Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush" that tarte makes is great. However, if you have flaky skin- mine's dehydrated no matter how much water I drink- then use a Damp beauty blender.

I recommend the Sephora pro brush #56... = )

I shelled out the $$ for the Tarte kabuki brush that is recommended with this foundation, and it works beautifully. I just put some foundation on the back of my hand, get a little on the tips of the brush, and very gently sweep it on in a cirular motion, working from the center out. Because the foundation is on the thick side, you really need to brush it on very thoroughly so that it blends evenly and completely (but try not too brush too hard). If you have a similar kabuki style brush (such as from BE), you could try that. I definitely wouldn't recommend just applying it with your fingertips. You probably won't get that same "air brushed" look.

I really like the brush that I got at sephora when I purchased the foundation. SEPHORA COLLECTION Pro Foundation Airbrush #56 Pro Airbrush Precision Foundation Brush #56

I've found that using my fingers or a domed dense foundation brush (think Sigma's F82) are the best ways to apply this foundation. I'm not saying you can't use other brushes but to avoid the dreaded "foundation mask" those are my suggestions.

I haven't tried the new brush with it but I just use my foundation brush the tapered one.

beauty blender

I consider this to be a medium to full coverage foundation. It really depends on how you apply it though. When I first got it, I just applied with my fingers and it didn't look so great and the coverage was only ok. I then tried it with my Sigma F80 brush and wow! I have giant pores and it makes my skin look so smooth! I have a few sun spots/freckles that can still be seen through the foundation but I'm sure I can cover it up with concealer or just use some extra foundation.

I would consider this full coverage. Or really close to it. It honestly covers so much, and it is buildable as well. You don't even need a lot -- I got a sample to try and I was surprised when I looked at it this morning because there was still almost the same amount left over after just one application lol

Definitely try this out if you need help covering hyperpigmentation. If you use MUFE's duo mat powder over this, you won't be disappointed. My skin looks so smooth and the coverage is unbelievable with the two of these. Before the powder, it's good but not great. With the powder... amazing :D

Hi Perfumequeen,

Like previous comments, I wouldn't consider this to be a full coverage but more Medium to Light coverage. This foundation is more about the care/treatment of your skin rather than masking and hiding imperfections completely as would a full coverage foundation would.

It's main component is clay which will soak up oil yet at the same time, be hydrating enough to make the skin look supple and natural if blended with a soft brush afterwards, not thick and cakey. That's my experience with using it. If you don't use a soft brush to blend after, you will notice some streaks so don't forget this step if you want the desired airbrush effect.

Upon first application, it seems to go on matte-like with a fuller coverage but as the day goes on, it appears to let the skin breathe and the natural oils of the skin ressurface. Nothing that can't be blotted up with a Starbucks napkin and shouldn't be a major concern. The finish is very natural and I would reccommend using the Tarte clay finishing powder to set it - a good combo. Hope this helps!

I definitely don't consider this foundation to be full coverage. Honestly, I'm not sure why they are marketing this as such. I would say that it's a medium coverage foundation at most.

If you want it to build up the coverage, I recommend applying it with your fingers. You have to be careful though, it can look rather heavy and even slightly cakey when applied with fingertips.

I do consider this to be full coverage... but I think it may depend on how you apply it also. It's recommended to be applied with the Tarte airbrush foundation brush, which I have used and do like. I feel it does give a full coverage that way. I also apply it with my fingers, which I get more of a light to medium coverage with. It is buildable though. It's definitely not a "light" coverage like a Tinted Moisturizer is.

Honestly, I consider it to be medium coverage. I have old acne scars that aren't totally covered by this foundation. It is not as sheer as Smooth Operator though.

Depends on how you apply foundation. Products states it is a "blendable and buildable formula". So if you would like a natural look use less and build up if you'd like more coverage.

It looks very natural. I suggest applying a small amount with your fingers using a circular motion (like buffing). It blends seamlessly into skin this way. If you need to add coverage, you can layer; it will look cakey if you start with too much.

Definitely does not look natural!

I would not recommend to start use foundation at 14 years, you will have hole life ahead to play with make up, but glad you want to look natural. From this point you need match color perfectly to your skin tone^ preferably at the Sephora store with professional help.

This does give a full coverage... I would not say it looks like you are not wearing any makeup. It gives a flawless coverage and looks beautiful... but I wouldn't believe anyones skin was that perfect.

I use Agent 02 in Smooth Operator and Ivory in the foundation. They look totally different out of the bottle but they both match me perfectly. I don't know why. It's weird. I see that the majority of answers are Fair, and I found it to be too light for me. So if you can I would definitely go the store to try them out! If you can't, and somehow end up with the wrong one, you can always count on Sephora's great return policy :)

I have samples of the three and "Fair" has definitely the same undertone as facade, while "Ivory" has a touch of pink, they are in the NC/W15 range but they have a beige base so the undertones are very soft (not brown or red/orange) "Fair" initially looks as light as vanilla ice cream -because its full coverage- but once blended, dried and oxidized looks exactly like facade.

I bought the Fair and it is perfect for my skin! So, thank you ashley26 & bunniehunnie.

Fair.

I wear facade and had to buy this in IVORY which matched PERFECTLY. Fair was just shockingly whiter than I ever imagined. And this is coming from a girl who never hangs out in the sun. Fair really would be more for fair red head types. Hope that helps.

Active ingredients:
6% Titanium dioxide
3% Zinc Oxide

I would prefer a higher percentage of Zinc Oxide than that of the Titanium Dioxide, simply because ZO is more effective according to studies

Inactive Ingredients: Water, cyclopentasiloxane, octldodecyl neopentanoate, butylene glycol, plyglyceryl-4 isostearate, dimethicone crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, dimethicone, silica, cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, stearic acid, aluminum hydroxide, sodium dehydroacetate, phytantriol, hexyl laurate, triethoxycaprylysilane, nylon-12, sodium chloride, kaolin, tocopherol, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, polyvinylalcohol crosspolymer, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, zinc chloride, lysine, sodium hyaluronte, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol. potassium sorbate, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, mica Made in USA

Regarding the 'chlorides' answer given, this is incorrect. These chlorides do not function as sunscreens. Having developed many sunscreen products I know this.

The multiple chlorides listed at the tail end of the ingredients list are sunscreens.

Hello,

I agree this foundation is not waterproof. It is long lasting!

I wore this all summer, in the pool and the ocean, and for me it was definitely waterproof. Obviously it you "rub" your face it comes off, but just by getting wet it stays in place. It works great for me, you should definitely give it a try!

Im not sure if it is waterproof, but I do know that if you sweat it will not come off; It just gets shiney. This makeup has very good staying power.

I would have to add to above that Tarte's yellow runs really yellow, and their pink runs warm peach

I would also like to add: yellow undertones means it is warm and pink undertones means it is cool. Hope this helps with the list that I gave you above. :)

Most of Tarte's shades are yellow undertones, but here is a breakdown of each shade and their undertones:

Fair- Fair skin with yellow undertones
Ivory- Fair skin with pink undetones
Light- Light skin with yellow undertones
Light-Medium- Light to medium skin with pink undertones
Medium- Medium skin with yellow undertones
Tan- Tan skin with yellow undertones
Tan-Deep- Tan skin with yellow undertones
Deep- Deep skin with yellow undertones

Hope this helps! :)

Definitely good for oily skin- the Clay in it is amazing for that :)

It's oil free... and the skin smart amazonian clay is supposed to adjust to your skin tone... I'm very oily and it works for me and I'm blemish prone and haven't had a problem.

It does a fairly decent job of controlling oil and does have a semi-matte finish. However, I have a super oily T-zone (literally an oil slick), and it does slide off my nose and separate on my chin area. So, on my nose/chin I use the Tarte tinted moisturizer to really thin out the foundation. Having said that, I have not found a foundation that does stay put on my nose/chin.

It's awesome--I have very combination skin with my oily areas being VERY oily. This foundation is fantastic for my oily, acne prone skin. You may try a mattifier before hand--I like Murad's a lot. Sometimes if I'm extra oily I'll use that in place of my Hourglass "Veil" primer. My skin looks and feels so beautiful AFTER removing my make-up even after just 2 weeks of use. I highly, highly recommend.

If that's the case, avoid the Philosophy primer too :( Normally I get over the fact that it's difficult to work with because it has good oil control and makes my make-up last, but it's so terrible with this foundation. Oily, make-up separation, general grossness :(

However! The MUFE primer (I use 0) is so good with this. I mean, you'll get a bit oily but it kept me looking flawless all day!

i have oily skin and i found that makeup forever's 0 primer works well with this.