Tag: tinted moisturizer

BB Creams – My Favorites for Each Skin Type

A BB Cream (initials for “Beauty Balm” or “Blemish Balm”) is a moisturizer, sunscreen, and skin care treatment all in one. They were first popularized in Asia and have since taken the US by storm. They are literally EVERYWHERE. As a beauty editor, the questions I most often get are “How do I pick a BB Cream?” or “Which BB Cream is your favorite?”. So, this article is designed to narrow down my favorites based on your exact needs.

First, I must disclose, this is probably my most favorite beauty product at the moment. It is a multi-tasker that prevents aging, makes skin look even and still have a natural look about it. They work great as a primer with SPF under foundation. Or on their own if you don’t need as much coverage. One of these should definitely be in your makeup arsenal.

Best for combo/oily skin: Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++

This oil-free formula comes in only one shade but works on a wide range of complexions. It has a watery consistency that blends easily and won’t clog pores. The addition of Abyssine, a naturally-derived survival molecule, can actually calm skin inflamed by breakouts or sensitivity.

Best for dry skin: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++

NARS has a high SPF with a dewy and hydrated finish. The coverage is fairly substantial for a tinted moisturizer and this keeps my dry skin plump and glowy all day. They have a great shade range and the slightly yellow undertones neutralize redness. NARS also promises to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation with four weeks of continued use. My dark spots did improve while I was using NARS but I also had steps in my skincare to fight darks spots.

Best for dry skin with lighter coverage Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++

This formula by Dr. Jart is made with 50 percent water, hydrating skin to give a healthy finish. This is great for a hot summer day because the water actually has a cooling effect as it is applied to the skin. The coverage is slightly lighter than his Premium formulation seen below.

Best for sensitive or red skin: Omorovicza Complexion Perfector BB Cream SPF 20, 1.7

This silicon-free formula is perfect for easily irritated skin. The luxury formula has loads of skin care benefits, including Hyaluronic acid, adding hydration. The coverage is light but it easily minimizes redness and gives a glowy finish without looking too dewy.

Best for varying coverage or as a primer: Miracle Skin™ Transformer

This vitamin rich formula evens skin while still being light-weight. Its formula and coverage makes it particularly well suited to build as you need more coverage and contains scilicon to give it a bit of “slip”. This also makes it a great primer under a fuller coverage foundation. This was a lifesaver in the winter when I needed more coverage for redness in the center of my face, but was stil able to use a lighter application on my cheeks and forehead.

Best SPF: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++

While these other formulas have between 20-30 SPF, Dr. Jart amped it up with this formula. His “Premium” version is perfect for summer days spent outdoors. He didn’t skip on skin care properties – bio-peptides and adenosine protect skin from harsh environmental factors while restoring firmness and elasticity.

For a drugstore alternative: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream

Garnier did a great job bringing BB Cream to the drugstore, available for $12.99. They have two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep.

BY TERRY Hyaluronic Face Glow

I feel so remiss haven’t not reviewed this product earlier. It was my winter holy grail – lightweight, combats dryness and evens out my skin. The Hyaluronic Face Glow was my first By Terry product I had ever used. And I ordered it sight unseen. I ordered Warm Glow, the darkest shade available (not completely sure why). But it actually works. It requires some blending around the neck and I would be better with Nude Glow, but I love the bronzed look it gives me.

It is paired down version of a foundation. It primes (and I often use it as a primer when I really want to go flawless) and moisturizes. But I wouldn’t call it a tinted moisturizer. It is more light-weight and “airy” with its mousse-like feel. And I adore the signature By Terry floral scent. It is very subtle, and lovely.

So why is this such a good moisturizer? The primary ingredient is whipped hyaluronic acid molecules. Along with galanga leaf extract, this penetrates while softening and plumping. The mineral pigments give a radiant, but not dewy or shinny finish.

This product is unlike anything else I have tried. If you love light-weight foundations and tinted moisturizers and have even an iota of dry skin, give it a try.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++

NARS founder and creative director, François Nars, believes skin should shine through makeup. So, he developed a anti-aging and skin-brightening tinted moisturizer which has quickly become my favorite because it so effectively addresses my two current skin annoyances: dryness and brown spots.

Nars turned to his home in French Polynesia for many of the beneficial ingredients:

Kopara, natural polysaccharides that hydrate, condition and help encourage natural cell renewal
Oceana Saffron, a plant known for its antioxidant and soothing properties
Galaxaura, a red deep-sea algae found in the islands’ lagoons that is known to be rich in calcium, vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene
Sea water and Ascorbyl Glucoside, a vitamin- C derivative that brightens and protects the skin against free-radical damage, to revitalize and re-mineralize the skin

For those who want a little more coverage, this stuff is super buildable. The consistency is silky, with a glowy and radiant finish. While there is added fragrance of Peony, Violet and Rose Water, I can’t detect any strong scent. Most importantly, they incorporated some super-powered sun protection in the oil-free formula. It includes SPF 30 to protect against UVB rays, and PA+++, the highest index level of protection against UVA damage.

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ is available in nine shades:

Finland: Lightest with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
Alaska: Light with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
St. Moritz: Medium with a neutral yellow undertone (I use this shade and I love how it neutralizes my redness)
Annapurna: Medium with a neutral peachy undertone
Cuba: Medium with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
Malaga: Medium dark with warm caramel undertones
Seychelles: Medium dark with golden olive undertones
Martinique: Medium dark with warm red undertones
Polynesia: Dark with warm chocolate undertones

Miracle Skin Giveaway

I went about this a bit backwards. I was already hooked on the Miracle Skin™ Transformer Body SPF 20 but hadn’t yet tried Miracle Skin’s original product: Miracle Skin™ Transformer. There is certainly no method to my madness. But moving on, I was met with just as wonderful of a product as I expected. Sarah McNamara (Miracle Skin founder) has developed a core set of products that are simple, effective staples for your vanity (and mine). Plus they are made in the USA and not tested on animals, snagging my seal of approval.

The Miracle Skin™ Transformer isn’t a tinted moisturizer, but a tinted skin enhancer. The coverage is very light (but buildable). The silicone formulation improves the look of skin by minimizing fine lines, dark spots and blemishes. My complexion is evener but not covered up. At the same time, using the M3 Complex, the skin is hydrated while active antioxidants and vitamins (A, K, and E ) go to work. The formula literally calms down my perpetually red skin. And this winter, it has been my go to sun protection (SPF 20/UVA/UVB protection). I use Light. It is pretty sheer so it works, but I suggest you go a shade darker than you think you need. Next time, I’m going pick up Medium Tan.

Available in six shades:

Since I was clearly a convert, I HAD to try the Miracle Skin™ Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face. This might be the all-star. It is actually a serum that conceals while it treats acne, redness, lines, bags, circles or whatever needs hiding. Salicylic acid helps treat blemishes – but it is gentle enough not to anger my sensitive skin. Vitamin K treats vascular conditions like nasty dark circles and redness around the nose. White rose and chamomile extracts calm the skin. Unlike any other concealer, it is silicone derived, creating a smooth and natural coverage. This is the least cake-y concealer I have used. I use light for the undereye, but I think next time I will pick up light/medium. Light is great for circles but a little too fair for my blemishes.

Available in three shades:

I can’t help but share this enthusiasm with you, my dear readers. So Miracle Skin and I are giving away a Miracle Skin™ Transformer AND Treat & Conceal Eye & Face to one lucky reader. Just enter using the widget below. Good luck!

Armani Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup

I thought I would fall in love with this stuff. And, to some extent, I did. I love that it is sheer and relatively easy to put on. It doesn’t cover up dark spots but gives a slightly more finished look. But mom didn’t give it the two thumbs up. Frankly, I understand why. The overall effect is a little matte and feathery – if that makes any sense. The blending doesn’t give that overall natural look. Next time I am going to try the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.