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Tarte Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder

What it is:A multitasking Amazonian clay finishing powder.What it does:Smooth Operator(TM) Amazonian clay finishing powder in bronze perfects and mattifies while bronzing the skin, imparting a healthy, natural warmth. This silky powder sets makeup, minimizes pores and fine lines, and is ideal for someone who wants a natural-looking hint of sun without shimmer. It's perfect for all skin types and tones and never looks chalky. Amazonian clay, nature's most perfect ingredient, acts as a total skin balancer by reducing dryness and flakiness, improving clarity and texture, and removing surface oil for a soft focus and lit-from-within finish; all while replenishing and rehydrating skin. This skin-saving powder can even be used alone as a treatment to reap all the benefits of Amazonian clay. What it is formulated WITHOUT:- Parabens- Sulfates- Synthetic Fragrances- Synthetic Dyes- Petrochemicals- Phthalates- GMOs- Triclosan
Average Rating:
3.941 out of 5
3.9
 out of 
5
Open Ratings Snapshot
51 reviews
5 stars
24
4 stars
12
3 stars
7
2 stars
4
1 star
4
Questions & Answers:
4 Questions | 12 Answers
Sort by reviews for Tarte Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
Review 1 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
jv11
Location:San Francisco, CA
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Packs a Punch
-05.10.13
Quick Take: oil-absorbing, reduces shine
Great powder with a heavy color. Use sparingly if foundation is a shade off your natural color. It is also a great skin health choice (I am an esthetician) bc it doesn't have articificial colors!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
teachermommynyc
Location:NYC, NY
Skin Type:Dry
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Brown
Age:25-34
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
NOT for dry skin!
-04.17.13
This product went on my hand so smoothly in the store, and the color was a perfect, non-orange bronze, but it dried out my skin whereever I applied it. Although I moisturize like a maniac, this bronzer gave me back the dry patches I worked so hard to get rid of.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 3 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
Aielia
Skin Type:Normal
Age:13-17
1 out of 5
1 out of 5
Turned me into a pumpkin
-03.16.13
I was looking for a product that would prevent my under eye concealer from creasing, this was suggested and it worked just for that. But it made me appear extremely dark, orange, and shiny. I will be returning this product and I would not recommend it to anyone.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 4 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
IFR3783
Location:Nyc
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Love!
-01.13.13
Great Product. Lives up to all of its claims. Looking forward to using it during the summer months when I have more color.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 5 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
LUDD
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Light
Eye Color:Gray
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
my favourite
-12.15.12
Quick Take: sheer coverage, the best
I do not use is all over the face. For me it works as the best bronzer ever. Have been using in my everyday make up routine for a few month now and still highly addicted. It blends perfectly and can build coverage easily.
I wish they still had the one with a free brush for sale; it was the same size but came with a mini Kabuki brush ad was only 19.99$ what an awesome deal.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 6 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
Stephie10
Location:Ottawa, On
Skin Type:Oily
Skin Tone:Light
Eye Color:Hazel
Age:18-24
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Good!
-11.01.12
Quick Take: reduces shine
I would definitively recommend this product for the summer, it control the oil cause by the hot weather, also since it only comes in one shade, it's to dark for me during the winter.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 7 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
kayvuu
Location:Irvine, CA
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Brown
Age:18-24
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Great finishing powder, but terrible packaging
-10.03.12
Quick Take: oil-absorbing, sheer coverage, reduces shine, makes skin soft, light
I've been using it for a about a week now and I love it. It makes me makeup last even in 90 degree whether while I'm running around to and from class. It also gives my face a nice matte, soft feel to it. I'm not sure if it keeps my skin hydrated since I always moisturize first. It looks like the pores have minimized so I like that. I don't think it really makes me look bronzer... maybe because I'm dark as it is. hate the packaging though. I follow the instructions and press in the middle but the powder just flies everywhere.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 8 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
achicgirl
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Brown
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Natural Glow
-09.01.12
Quick Take: sheer coverage, reduces shine
Whenever i wear this i always get compliments on how my face looks so tan and radiant! I love this powder!
Video Review:
(click on the play button to start movie)
See how it looks on!:)
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 9 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
tdumpling
Location:Manchester, CT
Age:25-34
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
NIce at de-shining, but allergic
-08.27.12
This worked well for the summer, keeping me from having to buy a whole new foundation or powder for 2 months of having a tan. It works well for mattifying and keeping shine away. Unfortunately, I was allergic to something in this and had to return. Would work better for someone with not so many allergies though!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 10 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
aname123
Location:Vail, co
Skin Type:Dry
Skin Tone:Light
Eye Color:Green
Age:35-44
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
love it
-08.17.12
Quick Take: natural matt finish
This is a great product. I tried it as an alternative to the Smashbox bronzer, which is good but a little orange. This is tan and a better more natural color for my skin. I also like the fine powder consistancy. Glad to find a cheaper alternative to smashbox and from a company that is using good ingredients Best part is no glitter!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 11 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
chelsfofo
Location:Detroit, MI
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Brown
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
great for summer faux tan
-08.13.12
Quick Take: sheer coverage
sorry this is a re-up of the review below because i had to switch youtube channels :) still love this and if you are curious to see it vs. bare minerals tinted mineral veil just click a video over (i would say this one is a bit darker in color than the BM & no spf but love the micronized clay feel because it is a little lighter). please see video :) oh and to correctly get the product out (another viewer told me the secret) lol you are supposed push down in the center of the plastic and powder will dispense through the opening. ;) i did not realize either until someone else told me
Video Review:
(click on the play button to start movie)
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 12 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
samanthaweldon
Location:Vancouver
Skin Tone:Olive
Eye Color:Gray
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Amazing
-08.13.12
Quick Take: oil-absorbing, reduces shine, matte, soften skin
The bronze colour gives you just a little bit of a glow while the powder is amaaaazing for your skin. It reduces shine and oil, while softening your skin with an easy application. It's easily blended. I use this before and after I apply my face makeup. I have never broke out from this and am so happy I tried this product. It leaves you with silky soft skin and a matte look. Would reccomend to anyone.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 13 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
Shiroiyuki
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Light
Eye Color:Brown
Age:25-34
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Great color, but hard to operate
-08.12.12
Quick Take: sheer coverage, good natural looking color
So I tried to follow the directions -- push on the sides of the sifter hole -- and nothing happened. So I pressed harder and still nothing. Finally I all but jammed my fingers in there and a giant poof of bronzer powder shot out all over the place, on my sink, on my clothing, on the floor, everywhere, at least...everywhere but the inside of the plastic tub where it should have been.
So, from then on I just ignored the instructions and (with the lid closed) just tapped the base lightly to get the powder out. It's messier this way and makes me wonder why I spent so much on a product with such a major flaw. I don't know if mine is just defective or not, but I think they should rethink their package design. A little inconvenient.
Other than that, the powder itself provides excellent, natural looking color -- even on a pasty chick like me. Keep in mind a little goes a LONG way, so don't overapply.
I'm not sure how I feel about the brush that came with the bronzer. It's rather small and pokes at my face (the bristles are hard and wiry). It was hard to get the powder to look natural using it, since it is rubbish for blending. I think I'll just stick to a fluffy brush from now on.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 14 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
aj702
Location:Tucson, AZ
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Olive
Eye Color:Hazel
Age:25-34
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Too Orange
-07.30.12
Quick Take: blotchy, orange, uneven coverage
I initially LOVED this while I had my tan but once it faded and I attempted to use this to add some warmth to my skin it made me look orange. Even worse is that it didn't look even but actually made my face look like I had reddish/orange patches.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 15 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
chelsfofo
Location:Detroit, MI
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Brown
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
great for summer shades
-06.22.12
Quick Take: sheer coverage
this is great in the summer to help my skin match the rest of me ( i try to wear a ton of sunscreen on my face but forget my shoulders so my body looks tan & my face does not...). with the help of this pore minimizing over time product my bb cream routine matches my skin better. light weight and sheer but just enough bronze to help give me a summer glow. please see video for swatches.
Video Review:
(click on the play button to start movie)
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 16 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
glamazongoddess
Location:pinehurst, nc
Skin Type:Oily
Skin Tone:Light
Eye Color:Brown
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Utterly fabulous
-06.20.12
Quick Take: oil-absorbing, reduces shine, sheer coverage
I love it. Great packaging, it doesn't spill everywhere! No shimmer makes it perfect to use all over as a sheer finishing powder with a touch of color. I use a kabuki brush to apply, over per-fekt's skin perfection gel in rich. This combo makes the PERFECT summer "foundation". It's not heavy and it doesn't flatten out my tan. I like it better than Bare Minerals as a summer foundation!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 17 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
beachgirl70
Location:Jersey Shore, NJ
Skin Type:Oily
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Hazel
Age:35-44
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Wish I discovered it sooner
-06.02.12
Quick Take: sheer coverage, reduces shine, not orange or sparkley
I wish I discovered this bronzer sooner. I have spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect one and here it is. I hope this never gets discontinued. I am buying a few now just in case. Never turns orange, shiney or sparkley, it is perfectly natural looking all day. LOVE IT!!!!!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 18 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
mariiiiii
Location:Las Vegas
Age:18-24
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
-05.27.12
I was looking for a bronzer & a product that took away my oiliness from my skin (instead of having to buy two). I didn't give it a 5 stars only because I noticed my skin started to get oily within a few hours. This product is great otherwise if you don't want to spend money on a bronzer and finishing powder.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 19 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
giacomozart
Location:Pensacola, FL
Skin Tone:Medium
Eye Color:Green
Age:35-44
1 out of 5
1 out of 5
Too shiny
-04.09.12
Product is not matte like the original. This has mica in it, and it leaves a shiny (tin man) finish.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 20 for Smooth Operator&#153 Micronized Clay Finishing Powder
r8chelk
Location:LHC, AZ
Eye Color:Blue
Skin Tone:Light
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Great for summer
-04.06.12
I already use Tarte's original clay finishing powder and bought this one to give me some additional color heading into spring and summer. It is the same fine texture as the original. I like the powder in bronze because it gives just a bit of tan color, is easy to blend, while still mattifying my oilier areas and setting my make up. My skin is light-med and I didn't find that this was too dark or orange. I use a small amount all over and then apply just a little more in the areas where sun would naturally hit my face. I also love that this gives a bit of healthy color without any shimmer, which looks much better on my oily prone skin.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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