Is Bare Minerals Or Tarte Better?

BareMinerals and Tarte are two of the top mineral makeup brands on the market today. Both brands offer mineral-based cosmetics made without harsh ingredients like fragrances, parabens, and chemical dyes. While bareMinerals helped pioneer the mineral makeup category when it launched in 1995, Tarte entered a few years later in 1999 with a focus on combining minerals with naturally derived ingredients like Amazonian clay.

With over 25 years in business each, bareMinerals and Tarte have both earned reputations for quality mineral makeup that delivers smoother, clearer skin. Their mineral foundations, bronzers, eyeshadows and lip colors are free of traditional makeup fillers and made for sensitive skin. Now two established household names in clean beauty, bareMinerals and Tarte remain locked in competition for the loyalty of savvy makeup shoppers.

History

Tarte Cosmetics was founded in 1999 by Maureen Kelly, who was pursuing a PhD in psychology at the time. As Wikipedia mentions, Kelly wanted to create natural, healthy cosmetics that were good for the skin. The company started out with a collection of cheek stains before launching a full line of makeup and skincare products.

Bare Escentuals was founded in 1976 under the name Bare Minerals. According to Zippia, the company launched their breakthrough mineral-based foundation bareMinerals in 1995, which aimed to replace traditional makeup with natural, mineral-based formulas. This launched the rapid growth and popularity of the brand.

Ingredients

BareMinerals and Tarte use different main ingredients in their makeup products.

According to BareMinerals, some of their key ingredients include:

• Bismuth oxychloride – provides a luminous effect and smooth application
• Iron oxides – add rich, buildable color
• Mica – gives a soft, silky feel
• Zinc stearate – offers a luxurious texture
• Titanium dioxide – delivers broad spectrum SPF protection

Tarte relies more on natural and organic ingredients like Amazonian clay, cold-pressed oils, and plant extracts. Some examples include:

• Amazonian clay – absorbs oil and smoothes skin
• Maracuja oil – hydrates and nourishes
• Mineral pigments – provide color
• Fruit extracts – deliver antioxidants

While both brands aim to create quality makeup with smooth textures, BareMinerals seems more focused on luminous coverage while Tarte emphasizes natural ingredients.

Product Range

Both Bare Minerals and Tarte offer a wide range of makeup products including foundations, concealers, bronzers, blushes, eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascaras, lipsticks, and more. However, there are some differences in the types of products each brand focuses on.

Bare Minerals is best known for their mineral-based powder foundations and complexion products like Original Foundation and Blemish Rescue Concealer. They offer powder, liquid, and stick foundations with light to full coverage and natural, demi-matte, and radiant finishes. Bare Minerals also has a wide range of mineral eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, and lip glosses.

Tarte is renowned for their Amazonian clay-infused complexion products like Shape Tape Powder Foundation and Amazonian Clay Foundation. They offer liquid, mousse, powder, and stick foundations. Tarte has a wide color range of creamy powder blushes, highlighters, and eyeshadow palettes. Tarte also has many long-wearing lipstick formulas and lip glosses.

Price

When it comes to price, both Bare Minerals and Tarte offer a range of products at different price points. According to Bare Minerals Price List | imaginebeauty, Bare Minerals foundations range from $31 for products like the Original Foundation to $45 for the BarePro Pressed Powder Foundation. Complexion products like concealers and bronzers fall in the $20-30 range. On the higher end, their eyeshadow palettes can cost up to $60.

For Tarte, foundations and tinted moisturizers fall in the $34-54 range based on Tarte’s website. Concealers and color correctors are around $25-30. Bronzers and blushes cost $28-36, while eye palettes range from $29 for smaller palettes to $49 for larger sets. Overall, Tarte’s range tends to be priced slightly higher than Bare Minerals.

Both brands do offer frequent sales and discounted sets, so the actual price paid may vary. But in general, Bare Minerals starts at a lower price point for base complexion products compared to Tarte.

Reviews

Both bareMinerals and Tarte have received excellent reviews from beauty experts and everyday users. According to Belle Belle Beauty, Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation gets rave reviews for its extremely long wear and budge-proof properties. The blog author was impressed it lasted a full 12 hours as claimed. The bareMinerals Matte Foundation also earned praise for its lightweight feel and natural matte finish that lasts all day.

On community forums, real customers tend to rate both brands highly. BareMinerals is appreciated for its natural, buildable coverage and vegan ingredients. Fans say it leaves skin looking flawless but not cakey. Tarte earns accolades for its large shade range and hydrating formulas. Users mention the foundations blend seamlessly into skin for a smooth, natural look.

Availability

Both bareMinerals and Tarte are widely available at major beauty retailers in the United States and online.

bareMinerals can be found at Ulta Beauty stores nationwide as well as on Ulta’s website. bareMinerals products are also sold at Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and other department stores. To find a local bareMinerals retailer, you can use the store locator on their website.

Tarte cosmetics are available at Target stores across the country and on the Target website. Tarte is also sold at Ulta, Sephora, QVC, and directly through their website. Tarte frequently offers free shipping promotions.

Both brands also sell many of their products directly on their own ecommerce websites, with shipping available internationally. This makes bareMinerals and Tarte accessible to customers around the world.

Ethics

Both bareMinerals and Tarte can be considered cruelty-free brands. According to Cruelty Free Kitty, bareMinerals does not test finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do their suppliers or third-parties. Similarly, as reported by Conscious Bunny, Tarte has confirmed they do not test on animals. When it comes to being vegan, neither brand is 100% vegan but they both offer vegan products. bareMinerals has almost 90 vegan products labeled on their website according to Treehugger, while Tarte also labels vegan items. So in summary, both brands can be considered cruelty-free, but not completely vegan.

Pros and Cons

Both Bare Minerals and Tarte offer quality mineral makeup with some key differences.

Some pros of Bare Minerals include:

• Light, buildable coverage suitable for all skin types
• Non-comedogenic and generally unlikely to cause breakouts
• Free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrances

However some cons of Bare Minerals are:

• Limited shade range, especially for deeper skin tones
• Can accentuate dryness without adequate moisturizer
• Powder formulas require more blending skill

The pros of Tarte include:

• Wide shade range with 40+ foundation options
• Hydrating formulas including BB creams and tinted moisturizers
• Convenient all-in-one products like powder foundation with SPF

Tarte’s cons include:

• Higher price point than drugstore brands
• Heavier coverage not ideal for all skin types
• Some coconut-derived ingredients may cause acne for some

Overall, Bare Minerals excels at lightweight, customizable coverage while Tarte offers more inclusive shades and built-in skincare benefits. Consider skin type, preferred formula, and budget when choosing between these two quality brands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, based on the comparison of ingredients, price, ethics, reviews, availability, and overall product range, I would recommend Tarte over bareMinerals cosmetics. While both brands offer quality mineral makeup and share some common pros like being cruelty-free, Tarte edges out bareMinerals in a few key areas.

Tarte has a wider range of products, especially when it comes to complexion products and eye makeup. The ingredients in Tarte products also tend to use more naturally derived extracts and oils versus synthetic ingredients. Tarte frequently comes out with limited edition and seasonal products to keep their offerings fresh, while bareMinerals sticks to their core basics.

For skincare-focused mineral makeup, Tarte takes the lead with ingredients like mineral waters and plant extracts infused into many of their products. Tarte also has a competitive edge for consumers looking for vegan and gluten-free makeup options. While bareMinerals has select vegan products, Tarte offers many more across all categories.

When it comes to price, Tarte offers more affordable options along with their premium items. BareMinerals tends to have higher prices across the board. While bareMinerals comes in more stores, Tarte has better availability and discounts online. Taking all factors together, Tarte offers comparable quality with some key advantages that make it the winner of this comparison.