I've Always Hated Foundation, but This Tarte Formula Turned Me

On the first day, I woke up a few minutes early because I assumed it would take me approximately 10 years to apply a full face of foundation. I was wrong, and for the first time in months, I got to the train platform well before the actual train. Foundation is so easy! Definitely easier than most concealers I've used, as it's creamier.

I didn't expect many people to notice I was wearing more makeup than usual (especially since as of the last month I've been going hard on highlighter and brow gel, already upping my usual makeup game), but two people told me they liked my makeup. Admittedly, one person said that my lashes looked unreal (thank you, Lancome Monsieur Big), but the other person 100 percent was referring to my overall face, which DID look so much more put-together and even than usual.

Side note: I did definitely feel like I was wearing more makeup within the first 10 minutes of applying my face, but after the approximately one sh*t ton of setting spray I used dried on my face, by the time I was sitting on my morning train, I felt no different than usual.

On the second day, I was feeling much more confident in my application of the foundation following my Nars concealer. I used a Beautyblender initially, then buffed in the leftover foundation using an It Cosmetics brush, and winked at myself in the mirror. I applied my face from there as usual — a bit more concealer to cover my genetic (thanks, Dad) under-eye circles, bronzer powder, highlighter, brow gel, and mascara. I sprayed a million pounds of L'Oréal setting spray onto my face and went on my way.

On this day, I felt even more amazing. My boyfriend — who literally notices nothing — told me I looked particularly gorgeous . . . 10 hours after I'd initially applied my makeup.

On the left, check me wearing nothing but concealer (I forgot to take the photo before, whoops), and on the right, wearing just concealer and a thin layer of Shape Tape foundation.

Feeling fabulous, I already considered this foundation a part of my morning routine come day three, which was a Friday. I was pumped for the weekend, feeling myself, and an unstoppable force when it came to confidence.

By this day I had figured out that I definitely preferred applying the foundation with a dense foundation brush as opposed to a Beautyblender, which I usually use for concealer. I was able to apply a thin layer to my face and really buff it out so I couldn't feel any — what I consider — "excess" makeup on my face (I'm so weird about texture, I annoy myself).

Most importantly, I still loved how my makeup looked by the end of the day. Previously, most of my powder makeup would be worn off by the time I washed my face at night, but Shape Tape stayed put for hours and hours.

Here I can be seen running to the train on day three, eyes tearing from the freezing cold, because after two days of waking up a little earlier to accommodate my new makeup routine, I went back to my old ways of waking up approximately 16 minutes before having to leave my apartment.

I freakin' love Shape Tape foundation. Sure, I haven't given much else (aside from a BB cream here and there) a true chance when it comes to covering my entire face in makeup, but I've also never wanted to before now. As a skincare junkie who loves anything hydrating and smoothing, hearing Lauren describe this foundation as "dewy and glowy," "cooling," "nourishing," "buttery," and "soothing" had me completely sold.

I don't know where my foundation journey will go from here, but I do know that I've found a new permanent fixture in my current makeup routine with Shape Tape.