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• Tarte recently introduced a new concealer to its iconic Shape Tape collection.
• The Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer ($27) is more hydrating for dry and mature skin types.
• I tested out the new formula to see how it compares to the original.

There are some makeup products that gain a cult following because they're just that good at what they do —  Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($27) is one of those products. 

Tarte introduced the full-coverage concealer back in August 2016, and it was instantly dubbed a "holy grail" product for makeup artists and beauty fans alike. It sold out just as quickly, and these days, shoppers are limited to just one Shape Tape per cart. The concealer even has its own holiday now — International Shape Tape Day — and one is sold every 12 seconds.

Nearly five years after the initial launch, Tarte debuted the Shape Tape concealer in a new Ultra Creamy version. Naturally, as a fan of Shape Tape myself, I had to test the formula to see how it measured up to the original.

Tarte Shape Tape in Ultra Creamy vs. the original

The original Shape Tape Concealer works best for normal and oily skin types, while the Ultra Creamy Concealer was formulated with dry skin types and mature complexions in mind. Not only does the new version have a creamier texture than the original, but it's also a lot more hydrating and heavily targets fine lines and wrinkles. And, in the Ultra Creamy, ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and avocado butter make up a built-in eye cream. To me, the difference between the two is noticeable; the original feels a bit heavier while Ultra Creamy is smoother to the touch.

While Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer beats out the original Shape Tape in the hydration department, it's not as long-wearing. The new formula promises 24 hours of hydration but only 12 hours of wear, whereas the original promises 16.

My review of the Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer

The first thing I noticed about the Ultra Creamy Concealer was how the applicator brush picks up way more product than you'll actually need. A little goes a long way with the original Shape Tape, but I guarantee you'll need even less of the new formula. 

The addition of an eye cream in the Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer doesn't go unnoticed. The product felt velvety soft and spread like butter as I patted it under my eyes, gliding over the skin rather than seeping into it. 

The Ultra Creamy formula is also easier to blend because of the added moisture and, in addition to being an excellent spot treatment, I've used the product in lieu of foundation on days when my acne was particularly severe and I was happy with the final look. 

As you can see from my photographs, Tarte's Shape Tape Ultra Creamy concealer gets the job done and does it well. It visibly reduced my inflammation and covered up my breakouts and scarring. It also concealed the dark circles under my eyes.

The concealer didn't stay crease-free for a full 12 hours, but to be fair, I tend to rub my eyes and touch my face throughout the day, so that could have interfered with the product's longevity. Regardless, I think it held up pretty well. The product made my skin and under eyes look healthy and hydrated and my complexion looked mostly smooth. 

Cons worth mentioning

The original and Ultra Creamy Shape Tape concealers might be similar in formulation, but in terms of coverage, the products are not one and the same. As much as I love the hydrating feel of Tarte's Ultra Creamy formula, I found that the original Shape Tape offers slightly better coverage for my skin type (normal to oily). 

The bottom line

Tarte's new Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer is a great full-coverage concealer for drier skin types and mature complexions. Whether it's a better fit than the original will depend on your preferences, but in my experience, it lives up to its name in terms of texture, is highly moisturizing, eliminates redness, and makes skin appear smoother overall.

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