Brand

Tarte

Tarte Cosmetics was founded in 1999 by Maureen Kelly, who launched the brand from her one-bedroom apartment in New York City with the goal of creating high-performance color cosmetics free from the harsh chemicals common in conventional makeup. Kelly, who had no beauty industry background, initially sold products at Henri Bendel and through QVC before expanding into Sephora and Ulta. Tarte became known for its Amazonian Clay foundation formulas, maracuja (passion fruit) oil-infused products, and Shape Tape Concealer, which became one of the bestselling concealers in the US. The brand balances clean beauty principles with serious color cosmetics performance.

Mid-Range Dermatologist Recommended Est. 1999 New York City, USA Kose Corporation (majority stake)

2 Products

16 Evaluations

68 Avg Score

2 Categories

Best Tarte product by condition:

Dry 88 Oily 82 Combo 85 Acne 84 Sensitive 68 Aging 81

Brand Philosophy

Tarte formulates with a 'high-performance naturals' approach, using ingredients like Amazonian clay, maracuja oil, and vitamin E alongside effective color cosmetics technology. Products are vegan and cruelty-free, formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, and gluten. The brand proves that clean makeup does not mean compromising on pigment, coverage, or wear time.

Who It's For

Clean beauty consumers who want high-performance color cosmetics without compromise. Best for those seeking full-coverage, long-wearing makeup with natural ingredients.

Known For

Shape Tape Concealer -- US bestselling concealer
Amazonian Clay foundation formulas
Maracuja oil-infused products
Clean color cosmetics pioneer
Founded from a one-bedroom NYC apartment

Signature Ingredients

Passiflora Edulis (Maracuja) Seed Oil
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract

Tarte at a Glance

Strongest Categories

Tarte performs best in: Specialty Treatment (1 product, avg 81/100); Moisturizer (1 product, avg 59/100).

Best Conditions Served

Across all products, Tarte scores highest for: Oily Skin (avg 80/100); Combination Skin (avg 80/100); Dry/Dehydrated Skin (avg 75/100). If your primary concern is one of these conditions, Tarte products are particularly worth considering.

Certifications

Common certifications include Dermatologist Tested, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free, Mineral Oil-Free, Phthalate-Free.

Best Tarte by Skin Condition

The highest-scoring Tarte product for each condition we evaluate.

Dry/Dehydrated

All Tarte Products (2)

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Facial Oil Moderate

Specialty Treatment

Tarte Maracuja Face & Body Oil

Tarte SEA Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer

Frequently Asked Questions about Tarte

What is the best Tarte product?

Based on our scoring, Tarte Maracuja Face & Body Oil is the highest-rated Tarte product with a score of 88/100 for dry/dehydrated skin. Excellent hydrating oil. High linoleic acid content seals moisture without heavy greasiness. Great for winter dryness.

Is Tarte worth the price?

Tarte products are positioned at the mid-range tier with an average score of 68/100 across 2 evaluated products. Check individual product scores to determine whether specific products justify the investment for your skin concern.

What skin type is Tarte best for?

Tarte scores highest for oily skin, with an average score of 80/100 across relevant products. They also perform well for combination skin and dry/dehydrated skin. Check condition-specific scores for the product you are considering.

Every Tarte product above has been scored individually for each relevant skin condition. Click any product to see its full evaluation, ingredient analysis, and usage guidance for your specific concern.