This wand looked deceivingly simple and convenient. Alas, it was not. It took for-EVER to get the powder out to the applicator. The brush was cheap and actually irritated my skin. I used the translucent shade and it was certainly colorless (and without effect). Probably because so little powder was on the brush, it wasn’t able to banish shine or set my other makeup. In a word, “SKIP”.
If you have the right skin, this Tinted Moisturizing Balm can be a home run for you like it is for me. I make the caveat of needing the right skin because the coverage is very light and the balm is super moisturizing. I have dry skin in the winter and this winter seems especially bad – welcome to your 30s, I guess. I prefer a light coverage because, frankly, I give up on covering up all my freckles (read: age spots). The finish takes all the red out of my skin and leaves it moisturized without being overly dewy. I love that it has a relatively high SPF built in. There is a strong fragrance – something like Thyme and Citrus. I really like it but if you have a sensitive nose, make sure you smell before buying. Also, the artist said “a little goes a long way”, probably to alleviate the pain of the $50 price tag. I don’t think this is true, but the jar will last me well into the early spring. Also you can build the coverage but using a little bit more. I am using the light tint but it also comes in the following colors:
I have fair skin so Alabaster and Extra Light are very, very light.
I am reticent to add another step – you all know I prefer laziness simplicity. But I found a lot of value in applying this before foundation or under eye concealer. This silky formula has vitamins and antioxidants and isn’t greasy. The most impact, I found, was in filling pores for a smooth finish. My foundation went on evenly and had a more consistent finish. I can’t speak for inhibiting the destruction of collagen, but the overall effect was a more youthful and smooth appearance to the skin. It was especially helpful under my eyes – I was able to eliminate the cakey look to my La Mer concealer. I used the original formula, but it also comes in:
1 oz Original in a Tube (colorless)
1 oz Original (colorless)
2 oz Original (colorless)
1 oz Light (colorless)
2 oz Light (colorless)
1 oz SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex
1 oz SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex (sheer apricot – dries clear)
1 oz Color Adjust (green – minimizes redness)
1 oz Color Balance (lavender – for natural yellow skintones)
1 oz Color Blend (apricot – conceals under eye circles, veins, sunspots)
1 oz Bronzing Primer (sheer tan)
1 oz Luminizing (sheer luminous gold)
I’m not really a primer type of girl. Call me lazy but I just resist that extra step. But I struggle with dark eyelids. Many years ago, my grandmother, mom and I hit the Laura Mercier counter and I was introduced to Eye Basics in Wheat. This weekend at the Dallas Neiman Marcus, I was reintroduced again. Why had this product slipped out of my makeup repertoire?! When I shared this “Eureka” moment with mom, she said it had never left her makeup regime – I know, moms are smart. This looks great alone with the Laura Mercier “tight lid” and a berry lip (try Laura Mercier Stickgloss Lip Color in Pink Jewel) for a clean, easy and quick look.
I don’t usually use lid primer because a good friend/makeup artist once told me to embrace my dark lids. But this one snuck into my vanity, somehow. I have the Golden Nude shade, and I like that it is wearable on its own. That said, if I don’t put shadow over it, it will crease in a couple of hours. I am also one of those people that rubs their eyes (I know it is a no-no…. I can’t help it!) and this primer did not stay on through that abuse. I do like this better than Urban Decay’s primer, mostly because it is more substantial. In short, nice product but I don’t think this is a must have in my beauty routine.
Not surprisingly, I was excited to get my December shipment from BirchBox (www.birchbox.com), my new favorite beauty resource. But I couldn’t imagine that I would find the solution to a long search for a lighter or tinted moisturizer. I don’t like the way Laura Mercier smells so there went the usual favorite everyone was recommending to me. I am smitten with Jouer’s Moisture Tint. It evens skin, comes out looking matte with just a bit of glimmer. And don’t worry folks, it looks great for day despite the bit of sparkle. On their website, Christina recommends layering for more intense coverage for those of you looking for that. I love it just the way it is with a light application all over the face. Hip Hip Hooray for BirchBox and Jouer!
