Tag: tinted moisturizer

Newness From Kate Somerville

By now, most of you know I am a certified Kate Somerville fan. Her skin care is technologically savvy, her formulas work without irritating and her approach to great skin resonates. That’s why I am so glad to see consistently fabulous new launches from her. Most recently, she’s made a foray into makeup with a killer CC Cream. And a new anti-aging moisturizer that my skin just drinks up.

First up is Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream. Right off the bat, I notice that unlike other anti-aging creams, this formula feels rich but not greasy or heavy. Kate uses ingredients like Extract of Laminaria Kelp to work with skin’s natural ability to hydrate so your don’t get a goopy feel. The thrust of this new moisturizer is new telomere research with a Telo-5™ Technology. Telomeres help keep us looking young and this technology can prolong the life of these skin cell worker bees. In addition, peptides help reduce degradation of collagen. Lastly, Sea Whip Extract and Algae Plasma sooth sensitive skin.

I’m so glad that Kate jumped on this bandwagon because I was dying to know how she’d embrace this BB/CC Cream craze. Again, she marries the science of skin care with naturally occurring ingredients for a balanced and non-irritating formula. Like my cherished Kiehl’s BB Cream, the version from Kate Somerville IllumiKate™ CC Cream has a whopping 50 SPF. Arbutin, Licorice Extract and Natural Amino Acids work to brighten skin. And I get a good dose of hydration thanks to Sodium Hyaluronate. I still wear this over a moisturizer but those would oilier skin could skip it. The coverage is on the sheer side – which is what I prefer. But those who want more coverage will be happy to know it is buildable. I’ve can get away with the light shade, so I am happy to report the four shades cover a fairly wide spectrum of complexions. I haven’t tried the medium but I am guessing it runs darker than other lines.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

BSB Culminé Glow & Go Tinted Moisturizing Sunscreen

There is nothing like discovering a little “under the radar” product that just blows your mind. Especially since it is exactly what you are looking for, given the season.

Due to long weekend days at the pool, I have a little more color than usual. And freckles… I have given up covering them up, but still want something to even my skin and give me needed protection. This new sunscreen from Bella Schneider is just the ticket. SPF 30? Check. Hydration? Check. Anti-aging ingredients? Check!

Antioxidants work to prevent appearance of fine lines and pigmentation while the formula has a beautiful and sheer glow. You could also use this as a primer if you wanted more coverage, but I like rocking the nude and radiant finish. Don’t mistake this for a BB Cream. It doesn’t have a huge amount of coverage (although more than the Urban Decay and less than the Omorovicza). I’d say coverage lands closest to Dr. Jart but with a much more dewy effect.

Available at labelledayspas.com.

Kiehl’s Skin Tone Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream

It wasn’t but a couple short weeks ago I was thinking about Kiehl’s and hoping the famed skin care brand would come out with a tinted moisturizer. It was like they are reading my mind! Now available online and in stores on June 1st, Kiehl’s Skin Tone Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream is at the top of my list and a best of breed.

Now, you probably are thinking there are so many BB Creams out there – how can this one be that different? Well, you know how I go on and on about my dreaded hyper-pigmentation? This BB Cream actually works to correct skin tone while concealing imperfections. Using Vitamin C – something we already know Kiehl’s is good at – the BB Cream effectively goes after uneven skin tone and dark spots. Often prone to seperation, the Vitamin C is combined with natural mineral pigments making it stable and gentle.

The formula is silky and lightweight, but still buildable enough to offer moderate coverage with no greasy or cakey finish. On the skin, the cream looks balanced – not too luminous nor matte. The color wears for a full day and color stays true. There is bit of a mineral/chemical smell, but nothing offensive, likely due to the heavy duty SPF 50 and natural mineral pigments.

I’ve been spending lots of time outside lately, so I am actually wearing Medium (above left) but could get away with Light (above right). It is offered in four shades: Fair, Fair/Light, Light, and Medium. This stuff isn’t leaving my regular rotation anytime soon. I love the way it looks on my skin and am so encouraged about what it can do for my dark spots and sun damage.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Smart Gel BB

I was already smitten with this BB Cream from Dr. Jart. But since I had fallen hard for everything from his Water Fuse line, including this and this, I knew I had to give Dr. Jart Water Fuse Smart Gel BB a whirl. My dry skin responds so well to these hydration packed formulas, leaving my face feeling radiant and plump.

Right off the bat, you will notice the jelly texture of the formula, inspired by memory foam mattresses. I can just visualize all that moisturizing goodness ready to impart bouncy hydration. After scooping out product, a little deformed space will slowly return to an even layer in the jar. It also does this on your face, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.

Unlike so many BB Creams, you get fairly good coverage with some building. The two available shades have a radiant finish, glow-y but totally even. In this way, it reminds me of this tinted moisturizer. The SPF 30, antiaging and anti-inflammatory ingredients all work to improve the appearance of your skin long-term while you wear it. I can totally see myself throwing this on for a little coverage during the day during the warm summer months (and likely most days before then too!).

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20

My love runs oh so deep for Urban Decay NAKED Foundation. When they came out with their inevitable Beauty Balm I had to try it, with high hopes it would be as fabulous as the NAKED Foundation. Is it? Yes… and no. I have absolutely zero bad things to say about the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm – it is just that I am using it differently than I expected.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is true to its name with lots of antiaging ingredients. And the SPF is a good effort. I’m okay with SPF 20 in the winter months as long as you are largely indoors. Where this stuff shines is the lightweight, oil-free texture that has a luminescent, dreamy finish. The universal shade works well on my light-medium complexion and I think it will fit a fairly large portion of the shade range just because it is so darn sheer. The tint in the formula isn’t for coverage – it actually diffuses light with high-tech pigments to even and minimize pores, lines and redness.

The balm has a slight minty scent which I adore and packs a hydration punch. Again, I get very very sheer coverage with this. Because, right now, I prefer a little more help in the coverage department, I have used this under other BB Creams and foundations. As a primer, Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm gives a perfect, silky canvas for foundation. This will also remain in the rotation because it contains Pepha®-Protect to help inhibit DNA damage while Vitasource™ and Glyage® firm skin and improve elasticity. Down the road, I can envision wearing this on vacation, coverage be damned. I also highly recommend this for anyone who prefers very light, sheer coverage. Those with oily skin will love the oil-free properties.

I’ve been applying with Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. I’m falling all of myself with praise for this brush. It has transformed the way I apply foundation, primers and BB Creams. You press the product into your skin for even, natural coverage.

3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++

Back in May, I covered my favorite BB Creams for various skin types and needs. Since then, I’ve come across another BB Cream that is worthy of All-Star fame and I had to add it to the roster. 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++ is like the super-charged, ultra BB Cream. Exceptional is a word that comes to mind.

Like many other BB Creams, the 3LAB version is quite the multi-tasker. It makes my skin vastly more even, brightened and smooth. It isn’t quite as dewy as the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++, but more luminous than Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++. 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream is available in three shades: light, medium and dark. Medium works perfectly on my NC30-NC35 skin. Coverage is pretty substantial for a BB Cream, but looks extraordinarily natural.

Its efficacy is emboldened by some serious technology. The formula contains a patented Human Growth Hormone (hGH) that treats fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides help whiten and brighten skin. Ingredients like pea proteins help promote collagen production. And it can help calm skin and reduce irritation. I love the high SPF factor and vitamin E as a natural antioxidant. You can tell these guys don’t mess around, using state of the art technology to bring us a BB Cream that goes above and beyond.

Available at Nordstrom with free shipping.