Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Is Better Than The OG

I’m not the biggest fan of the original Tarte Shape Tape, but would Ultra Creamy be better?

I’m not going to hold my breath on this one, but at least it sounds promising. I sang the praises of the OG Shape Tape like everybody else when it first launched back in 2016, but I discovered it was too drying on my skin (as did others). It settled into my lines and just didn’t wear very well through the day. When the Ultra Creamy version launched and I read the claims, I was excited to try it. More moisture from a built in eye cream sounded just like my jam. But, I can’t say I loved it. I do think it is better than the original, though I just don’t think Shape Tape is for me.

For reference, I have combination skin. I get oily in my t-zone, but do get dry patches. And, I tend to prefer more natural to radiant finishes versus mattifying. I’m going to give you my honest opinions about Shape Tape Ultra Creamy and why I don’t like it for me, personally.

If you want my review of the OG Tarte Shape Tape, here it is.

Promises vs. Performance: No creasing, no settling, and no caking sounds great. Though is it?

Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy features a built-in eye cream and claims 24 hours of moisturizing thanks to ingredients like prickly pear, hyaluronic acid, vegan squalane, and several butters. Tarte promises this version of the iconic OG will leave skin looking moisturized, never flat or dry. In addition, skin should appear more youthful. It features their exclusive “cushion tape™ technology,” which is said to help smooth and reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. Just like the original, it is waterproof and claims 12 hours of creaseproof wear. There’s lots of claims with this concealer but, will it perform?

To begin, I will say that I do think this formula is better than the OG. It is easier to blend, it’s creamier, and does wear a bit better, but, overall, it’s about the same. Though I was surprised to find that it blended in better! Not as easily as I prefer, especially for the soft under eye area, but this was a start. It is a highly pigmented, full coverage formula, however, with that comes creasing and settling. Tarte promises a creaseproof wear that doesn’t settle, yet that wasn’t the result I got from this concealer. Depending on what you layer the concealer with, it can feel heavy and look cakey. Overall, I feel like it just ages me when I wear it.

Here’s some tea.

With the OG formula, it is ideal for normal to oily skin, so, I couldn’t really fault Tarte too much with how drying I found the formula. However, Ultra Creamy is formulated for normal to dry. For a concealer to work best on those skin types and claim to be ideal for mature skin even, this one missed the mark for me.

If you do decide to purchase this concealer, something to note is that the colors run a bit lighter in this formula than the original. I wear 12N in the original Shape Tape, but found 16N was a better match in Ultra Creamy.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4.1)

:Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer

Price: $30.00

0.33 oz

Value

(4.5)

Application

(3.9)

Coverage (full)

(4.6)

Texture (matte)

(2.9)

Longevity

(3.9)

Shade Range

(5)

Extra Benefits

(4.1)

MILABU PICK

(4.4)

:Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Concealer

Price: $29.00

0.43 oz

Value

(5)

Application

(4.4)

Coverage (full)

(4.7)

Texture (matte)

(4.4)

Longevity

(5)

Shade Range

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(3)

CLEAN PICK

(4.2)

:Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer

Price: $28.00

0.21 oz

Value

(4.5)

Application

(4.6)

Coverage (full)

(4.5)

Texture (natural)

(4.5)

Longevity

(4.3)

Shade Range

(2.2)

Extra Benefits

(4.5)

Industry Standard

(4.3)

:NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Price: $31.00

0.22 oz

Value

(3.5)

Application

(4.8)

Coverage (medium)

(4.3)

Texture (radiant)

(4.4)

Longevity

(4)

Shade Range

(4.7)

Extra Benefits

(4.1)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Concealers Worth Every Penny

Price: $11 – $38

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Coverage

(4.5+)

Texture

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: I just don’t think Tarte Shape Tape is for me, but I do have a few that are.

I just don’t get the obsession and cult following Tarte Shape Tape has. Yes, it provides a super concentrated, full coverage, however the wear is very lackluster. I find no matter how much I prep my under eyes, even with the new Ultra Creamy version, it still doesn’t look great. It creases, settles into fine lines, and it doesn’t give me the youthful look Tarte promises. Depending on what you layer with this concealer, it can feel heavy and look cakey. To be honest, I think there are much better options out there, even if you are looking for a clean concealer.

My holy grail remains NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. It honestly never lets me down. From its buildable coverage to creamy formula, it wears beautifully on the skin. It doesn’t settle into fine lines and doesn’t make me look aged like Shape Tape does. I get the hydration and creaseless wear no matter if I prep my under eyes or not. While not super long wearing on its own, it does wear longer with a setting powder over top (and it’s something I’m willing to sacrifice for coverage, hydration, and how lightweight Radiant Creamy is). This is one concealer I won’t ever go without in my collection. There’s a reason it continues to win awards after all these years.

If you’re looking for a clean concealer, I have two recommendations.

ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer is a lighter coverage that is more comparable to NARS Radiant Creamy. If you’re looking for a bit more coverage, Kosas Revealer Concealer is a great option that provides fuller coverage. I enjoy both of these natural concealer formulas and find they work really well on most skin types.

Milabu Beauty Method: For best application, you’ll want to prep under eyes with extra hydration.

Even with the built-in eye cream, I find you have to prep the under eye area really well.

1. Begin with an eye cream. I love the Bakuchiol Eye Gel Crème from Olehenriksen ($49) for underneath makeup.
2. While the eye cream sinks in, prep the rest of your skin. A lightweight gel moisturizer like this one from Naturium ($20) is perfect for under makeup. And, I always gotta wear my SPF. Supergoop! is one of my favorite brands, and their Unseen Sunscreen ($36), which even works as a primer. Before beginning your makeup, let everything sit for a few minutes to dry down.
3. I find this concealer to wear best when applied before foundation as it can look heavy when applied on top. Dot a small amount of concealer towards the inner corner of your eye and the outer corner.
4. Next, blend out using a damp sponge. I find this helps work the concealer into the skin more, making it look less heavy.
5. Work in layers because Shape Tape can be built if a fuller coverage is desired.
6. Finish off by setting with a lightweight powder. Kosas Cloud Set ($34) is one I enjoy.