Review: Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer

Described as a "skin-perfecting, waterproof mattifying base that helps keep makeup in place for up to 12 hours" on its official website, Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer claims to refine pore appearance and diffuse the appearance of fine lines and imperfections. Aside that, it also claims to have anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits. Too good to be true? 

Over the past few months, I have been using the Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer religously in my daily makeup routine. The primer comes in a 30ml plastic tube with a screw cap that is both user and travel friendly. The scentless silicone like texture comes in a clear gel format which squeezes out easily from the tube without getting everywhere; a contrary to my Laura Mercier Primer experience. 

On the many benefits that Tarte claims, I definitely noticed that the primer blurs my pores and acts like an overall mattifier upon application to my skin, creating a smooth canvas in prep for foundation. My foundation also goes on easily post primer and throughout the day, I also noticed that my foundation stays on much longer (compared to primer-less). As for the 12 hours claim, I didn't feel that it actually worked on me as I'd say that the primer just prolonged the lasting power of my foundation by 2-3 hours tops.

In terms of the claims of having anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits, I didn't notice any effect of that on my skin after using it for close to 3 months now and would say that this primer is more of a makeup product than skincare in case you're in the market for something with skin care benefits. However, I do appreciate that the product is formulated with natural ingredients such as avocado oil, safflower seeds, hibiscus flower extract etc. and without parabens, mineral oil, phthlates, sodium lauryl sulfate and synthetic fragrance. 

Overall, I'd say that this is a good to have product and would recommend if you are looking for a mattifying primer that can blur pores and smooth lines. That said, it is not something which I'd repurchase mainly because I prefer my skin looking dewy, hence non-mattifying primers is more up my alley. 

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12 Hr Perfecting Primer retails at S$47 and can be found at Sephora Singapore.

xx