Tarte BB Primer 12 Hour Treatment; Review & Swatches of Shades

Tarte 12 Hour BB Priming Treatment SPF 30
Price: $35/ounce

CRUELTY FREE!!!

Tarte's 12 Hour BB/Primer hybrid caused a lot of confusion in the beauty world when it was first released. After all, what IS it?

Is it a sunscreen?
Is it a BB Cream?
Is it a Primer?

Could it possibly do an even remotely decent job of performing all three tasks and if it can does that mean we've all been using extra products for no reason all these years?


I think all humans have a tendency to want to put things into a specific category, but I think that those of us in the beauty world really want to be able to classify makeup as one thing or another. It's not that we don't like 2-in-1 products, it's just that we have this urge and pre-programmed need to want to define things. Tarte may have started the process of breaking that pattern though because the BB Priming Treatment is really a product that stands alone.

I'm really disgusted with myself for not getting the full review up sooner. I swatched all the shades last spring but I didn't really test the BB Primer out thoroughly enough and I took it's uniqueness for granted.

Tarte claims that their 12 Hour BB Primer is an "innovative multi-tasker that works as a primer, moisturizer, light foundation, treatment and sunscreen for an all-over-youthful-glow."

I wholeheartedly believe all of that with two minor exceptions; 12 Hr BB will not provide enough moisture for people with normal to dry skin to use in place of their normal day cream, and I don't think that many people will experience any kind of glow since the finish is a soft, natural (amazing) matte.

Tarte goes on to claim that 12 Hour BB Primer will "nourish" your skin and provide multiple skincare benefits. They don't state specifically what skincare benefits you'll get aside from a "soothing" effect so you can't consider Tarte BB Primer a skincare product with any anti-aging ingredients, (aside from the most important anti-aging component which is present in the form of gentle mineral sunscreens.)

Everything else Tarte says about the BB Primer is true and in some ways, seriously understated.

• It will help your makeup last longer which is the purpose of any good primer. 

• It provides light coverage which can be built up to medium coverage with minimal effort and will require you need far less (if any) foundation.

• It will blur fine lines and wrinkles.

• The silicones in it will absolutely help to smooth and sooth your skin, hide dry patches, and minimize pores.

• The gentle mineral sunscreen actives are safe enough to use around your eyes.

• The texture is absolutely divine. The silky texture is a pleasure to blend and assists with makeup application.

• It provides enough coverage that it can absolutely be worn without makeup or with just a bit of concealer

• The igredients used are simple, pure, gentle, safe for everyone, and VEGAN.

• There are some skin-communicating ingredients that will be beneficial.

One of the things that makes Tarte's BB Priming Treatment unique is the sun protection & the way it's almost hidden within the formula. Usually an SPF of 30 means that a product will contribute some level of added shine but that's not an issue here.

Instead of having to use a high SPF product with a separate mattifying product, but now all you need is your serum, BB Primer and maybe foundation which for someone like me is a huge plus.

The Oil-Free formula will help to control shine and oil throughout the day without being over drying on those with normal or dry skin and is really compatible with almost any type of foundation formula.

The consistency itself is interesting, like an air-whipped silicone mousse almost- If you've tried Tarte's Full Coverage Foundation than you have somewhat of an idea of what you should expect with 12 Hr BB. The initial texture is weightless and silky-smooth. It's similar to Full Coverage Foundation but it's far lighter in weight.

The BB Primer Treatment is available in five shades which will suit very fair to tan skintones. The lightest shade "Fair" is actually very light and will suit the lightest of skintones although it is yellow toned and the rest of the shades have names which accurately fit their respective range. (i.e. Medium, Tan, etc.)

If you're a primer person and always on the hunt for the latest and greatest, Tarte BB Primer should be on your Beauty Bucket List for sure. If you're not a primer person (like me) and consider them an added step, then you really need to take a look at Tarte 12 Hour BB Priming Treatment because at the very least, it can replace your SPF and it doesn't carry all of the typical "primer baggage" (like balling up!)

*Note that if you have severely dry skin or want a more moisturizing formula, you should probably consider Tarte's BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 which is a more hydrating option.
If you've been looking for a Cruelty Free option for Mac's new Pro Longwear Foundation Compact SPF 20, then Tarte's BB Primer may be one to consider.*

Has anyone else tried it yet? How do you like it?

Tarte BB Primer 12 Hour Treatment Swatches of Shades
Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Tan, Tan

Tarte BB Treatment 12 Hour Primer
 SPF 30 Swatches of Shades;
Fair, Light, Medium, Medium/Tan, Tan