SPLURGE OR SAVE? TARTE SHAPE TAPE VS MAKEUP REVOLUTION CONCEAL & DEFINE

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer vs Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define

It's been a while since I've done a little Splurge or Save post. It feels like I was waiting for this one to happen, truly! You know my love for Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair, so when I saw Makeup Revolution release of their first ever proper concealer, I knew I need to get my hands on it, especially given how hyped it was to be the next Tarte Shape Tape! Is it a true dupe? Let's find out!

Splurge: Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer.

Buy now: Tarte US (£22.00 + potential customs) | QVC UK (£28.02 with sponge + P&P £3.95)

You know my never-ending love for Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer. I have even found my perfect shade in Fair. It's one I use for both concealing under eyes but also matte highlighting the high points of my face. It's the only one that fully covers everything, from redness through dark circles to spots and stays put for hours and hours on end. Together with RCMA No-Colour Powder give me the perfect duo for baking! The formula doesn't oxidise throughout the day and give me that high fashion contoured look. It's ultra brightening under eyes and even keep the red nose at bay. The formula is ultra creamy and I was surprised to learn that some find it heavy. Personally, I love how blendable it is and that it offers a true full coverage without compromising on the finish. I apply quite a bit of it every day, blend it with my trusty Beauty Blender and set with powder and same dampened sponge to flawless yet somehow light finish. It does not set in my lines too much, no more than any other concealer and sits there comfortably for 16+ hours. I haven't found it drying with prolonged use and I've been using mine practically not stop for just under the year now. 

*Disclaimer: Having said all that, I am told by a few friends some makeup artists that this is not their product of choice as they find it too creamy and heavy. I don't know how much of it depends on the method of application. Makeup Artists don't tend to use dampened sponges like Beauty Blender due to the inability to properly clean it and use either latex sponges or brushes. I don't personally use either with such heavy coverage formulas, as I don't find them to blend the product as well.*

Save: Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define.

Buy now: Tam Beauty international (£4.00) | Superdrug UK (£4.00)

The new addition to my routine has truly stolen my heart. Not only does it arrive housed in such pretty packaging but also packs a serious formula punch. Remember Collection Lasting Perfection concealer ruling drugstore for so long? No more. This £4.00 concealer brings a luxury formula that covers like a dream but won't break the bank. I find the coverage to be strong medium but it's easily buildable and no, you don't need to add more product. For my red nose (I have some broken capillaries at the very tip - joys, I know!) I just leave it be for few seconds and when it sets a little it offers a stronger coverage. Best applied with a doe applicator and then blended with a sponge then set with powder. I find the formula to be creamy but a lot lighter than Tarte and I really like the shade too. It's not as light as my Tarte one but still suits me well. I wouldn't contour with it as much as I do with Tarte, as it's simply not light enough, but works great for those more natural days! Let's not forget the price and availability (ok once the hype dies down a little and it's not sold out everywhere all the bloody time lol). For us, UK consumers, a quick trip to Superdrug or an online order at Tam Beauty offers a quick delivery with no possibility of customs. 

*Disclaimer: As with the Tarte counterpart the reviews have been mixed. Some find it too drying but I haven't experienced that myself even with 2 weeks non stop use. I always recommend a great skincare, as you cannot expect any formula to look its best if you don't moisturise like crazy. Some complained about the coverage and here I may agree to a point. No, it's not as full coverage as Tarte nor does it have to be. A near full medium is coverage enough for every day use and if you'd like to up the game, please refer to my application tip above and leave it to set just a little bit before blending.*

Who wore it best? 

Swatched: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair vs Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define in  C1

I like tables. Years spent compiling data onto and from spreadsheet have officially broken me. I feel like with Splurge vs Save, we could all do with a little compare dot com kinda table, so please enjoy it - Meerkat style.

	Tarte Shape Tape Concealer	Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define
Packaging	Hard wearing plastic with purple cap and extra large applicator doe	Heavy plastic with rose gold cap and details and large applicator doe
Size	10ml	3.4ml
Price	£22.00 (£2.20 per 1ml)	£4 (£1.18 per 1ml)
My shade	Fair - ultra light neutral tones	C1 - light with neutral tones
Shades	13 shades with only one suited for darker skin tones	18 shades with a stunning array of shades suited to any skin tone
Coverage	Full coverage	High medium coverage
Application	Easy to blend with Beauty Blender	Easy to blend with Beauty Blender
Wear time	16+ hours	10+ hours
Oxidisation	None	Oxidises slightly during the day

Overview.

Will Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define replace my trusty Tarte Shape Tape Contour in my routine? Perhaps not. Is it a great alternative to a pricier product? Absolutely! Makeup Revolution has managed to come out with a stunning 18 shades of their now bestselling product and that amazing for a relatively small brand. In this day and age, it's amazing how some companies decide to ignore half of their consumer base and provide no to very little inclusive shades so anyone can find a close enough match. Tarte's controversy (on which I plan on dwelling a bit in the full review of their foundation) clearly proves that sadly, not even them were able to avoid bad press by simply (I mean how hard is it?!) producing shades for every member of their consumer base. Yes, we are used to mixing products with lighteners or dark drops to find that perfect one, but why is it that so little cater to gorgeous deep skin tones? I think this launch clearly defined Makeup Revolution as a brand that not only caters to those who may not have the budget of £22.00 to spend on a concealer but also to those whose voices haven't been left unheard. I salute them for that! 

Have you tried either of the concealers or perhaps both? I'd love to know your thoughts!

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Love