*New* Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand: Review

​Alright guys, there's a new trend that is supposed to take over 2020 and concealers in general. It's basically moving away from really high matte coverage concealer into a more luminous look. So there's a lot of concealers that are "brightening" concealers coming out right now. I read about the "new trends for 2020" online and this one caught my eye. I personally would love to see people moving away from the really high coverage concealer and baking the face. It looks good in pictures but trust and believe in person it is too much for a lot of people. Plus it's a lot of work. I would love to see a more "fresh" look.  So I picked up one that was mentioned in the article which is Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand. This won't be the only concealer I try within this trend, it's just where I'm going to begin exploring this new move.

​I've worn this several times now, trying different methods. I tried it their way via their instructions, and then I tried it different ways on my own. I have a lot of opinions on this. So let's just get into it.

According to ULTA:

"Get glowing with Tarte's Shape Tape Glow Wand, an instant eye lift in a bottle! This vegan liquid brightener is formulated with a proprietary diamond complex to diffuse light, giving it a blurred, soft-focus filtered finish to turn back the clock on tired-looking undereyes.

Benefits:
Pairs perfectly with shape tape concealer for a lifted, illuminated look
Helps boost radiance & smooths appearance of skin with micro-fine pearl pigments
Diamond complex technology diffuses light to create a soft-focus effect wherever applied - it's never glittery or shimmery
Plush applicator & removable sponge for easy application & blending

4 Ways to Glow:
Over Shape Tape Concealer for an instant eye lift
Alone for sheer no-makeup magic
Mixed with moisturizer or primer for all-over radiance
On high points of the face, collarbones & décolletage to highlight

Why Tarte loves it? It gives you a youthful, healthy glow wherever we apply! Mix with Shape Tape Concealer for star power perfection.

Skinvigorating Ingredients:
Porcelain Flower Extract: known to have soothing & microcirculation effects while illuminating skin
Mango Seed Butter: moisturize, condition and protect against free radical damage
Shea Butter: moisturizes & nourishes skin
Licorice Root Extract: brightens the appearance of dark circles & color corrects
Mineral Pigments: soothe & soften skin
Diamond Powder: helps blur imperfections & diffuse light

Final Claims:
Vegan
Cruelty-free"

And now my experience.

 This first picture above is with flash on because it was dark, the left side is when it's first applied. You can see it's very plump there's nothing bad to note really, other than it's a little too luminous instead of subtle. The right side and the bottom picture is after a couple of hours, I hadn't touched my face. I had set the concealer with powder when it was first applied. The actual color pigments of the product are just sitting in my pores and it looks very patchy to say the least and oily. In general I'm not oily. I'm more on the normal/dry side when it comes to my skin. This made me feel like I needed to do a triple cleanse on my face. It truly felt gross.

So for me this is a liquid highlight. It did not do well under the eyes for me. It was always nice when I first put it on but looked terrible later. I even used it underneath a full coverage concealer thinking maybe that would work and it simply doesn't. It moves around and pigment spots settle into my pores and fine lines no matter what I do, which only makes them more apparent on me.

However, this used as a touch of highlight on the cheek bones and high points of the face or mixed in with a primer or moisturizer it's lovely. It actually reminds me of of Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter only it's not quite as good as that formula but for the price it's a good alternative. There are 8 shades for Tarte. I've even seen people use the Hollywood Flawless Filter under their eyes to brighten and tried it, doesn't work for me with that product either. 

As far as the whole brightening for the under eye specifically, or better yet a product working as a backlight/corrector to neutralize darkness under the eyes: the best product for that is hands down the Becca Backlight Corrector. Granted, I think there's only 2 shades but for me that's done the best. It's the cream formula that's tacky in texture in the glass pot packaging. Because of the formula, that's why it works for me. It stays put, it doesn't slide around.

So, will I continue to use the Tarte Glow Wand? Yes, for a subtle highlight on the cheek bones. Do I recommend it for the main claims that it makes and what it's advertised for... that's a hard no. There are better products out there for the same price, and sometimes even less in price, that do a better job. I love that they're thinking outside the box and we're kinda moving away from that matte, really full coverage, baked under eye look. This just didn't hit for me. Unfortunately, in 2020 I'm taking no prisoners and just cutting to the chase. I'm not trying to be rude or disrespectful to any brands, I'm just getting to the point without all the beauty jargon in front of it mainly. 

So on to the next one.