Tarte Clean Slate Timeless Smoothing Primer Review & Swatches

I don't know if it's just me but I get giddy every time when I get to try a new face primer especially the one that promises blurring of pores and fine lines! The past couple of weeks I've been testing the Tarte Clean Slate Timeless Smoothing Primer and I have to say, it is quite different from a lot of pore-minimizing primers I have tried in the past. Is it good? Is it great? Is it my new favorite? If you're curious, then please read on!

Shown here is a deluxe sample I received with my recent order. The primer is housed in a cute little frosted glass jar with a purple screw-on lid. From what I know, the full-sized one also comes in a jar which immediately raises the sanitary issue. However, upon using the product, open glass jar is probably the best packaging for this primer due to its unusual consistency. The primer is pale beige in color and has a very pleasant smell to it. I can't pinpoint what it is exactly but it reminds me of something powdery and flowery with a hint of something fruity. It's a refreshing scent that does not linger on the skin.

What I mean by unusual consistency? Well, first of all, it's much thicker than any face primers I have tried. It has a mousse-like texture that feels very thick and silicone-y. Not surprising since silicones are listed at the very top of the ingredient list. And because of its thick consistency, I only reserve it for spot-priming on certain areas on my face where pores and fine lines are visible such as on and around my nose, inner cheeks, and forehead.

Application tips

• Start with the least amount possible. Too much and it can cake and flake. A light touch on the surface of the primer with a fingertip is generally enough to cover a small area.
• Instead of rubbing it in circular motions, I find that it's better to pat in on gently over the surface of the skin in downward motions to prevent the product from balling up.
• Apply it on bare skin, post moisturization, or under makeup only (when I applied it over makeup, it flaked terribly)

When applied properly, the product really does give my skin a softer, smoother experience. Pores are filled (substantially but not completely), fine lines are diffused, and imperfections are minimized. It also mattifies my skin instantly! It does not leave an oily/greasy or sticky feeling on the skin at all, just a nice, smooth canvas so that my foundation glides on flawlessly.

It does not seem to control oil any better than my other primers, though. My T-zone still gets slightly shiny in late afternoon like it normally would. At least it doesn't make me any oilier so I'm happy with that! It doesn't seem to cover any kind of redness, either. In terms of improving the makeup wear time, I'd say it keeps my makeup intact for about an hour or two longer, nothing too extraordinary. :)

And for the curious mind, this primer contains Vitamins E and C to help fight free radical damage and brighten the skin, mineral pigments to soothe and soften the skin, and green bean extract to provide anti-wrinkle and pore-minimizing properties. This is totally new to me. Green bean extract for pore-minimizing? Mind = blown! ;D Now, I can't say I have seen drastic improvements on my skin since I have only been using it as a spot-primer and it's only been just a couple of weeks. What I can tell, though, is that it hasn't caused any breakouts or irritation of any kind, and that is more than enough for a pore-minimizing primer for me! :)

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