STILA: Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Oil Free
I love the idea of tinted moisturizers, which give the coverage of a light foundation plus the protection of a sunscreen. But I’ve never been able to find one that works for me. I’m also skeptical about the product’s ability to protect my skin from the sun. Consumers are supposed to apply one ounce or two tablespoons of sunscreen to get adequate protection. That’s a lot of Tinted Moisturizer and personally, I’m very lighthanded with makeup. So perhaps it’s a good thing that Stila, which has long had a popular tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 15, recently added a TM with an SPF of 30.
Stila’s SPF 30 TM is basically a physical sunscreen composed of zinc oxide (the SPF 15 version is a chemical sunscreen). The benefit of zinc oxide is it provides the full spectrum of UVA and UVB coverage. That protection comes at a cost for some women. Zinc Oxide can look greasy on some people – it usually leaves my face looking like an oil slick. The use of a primer or mattifier should counteract that effect, however. Stila usually has a great selection of shades for a wide variety of women, but I found this product lacking. The Tan, Dark 1, looks like it would best work for women with cafe au lait-colored skin. The next darkest shade available in this product, Warm, Dark 2 happens to also be the product’s darkest shade, which means it has to work for women ranging from caramel colored to dark chocolate. That’s a wide range for one shade to cover.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Zinc oxide 5.0%, Oxybenzone 4.0%
Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water (aqua), Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Magnesium Sulfate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG- 10/1 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Poterium Officinale (Burnet) Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Glycerin, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Benzoic Acid. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (ci 77891), Iron Oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499) <iln c71051>
Cost: $36
CoverGirl: Simply Ageless
CoverGirl Simply Ageless
This is the latest (and most affordable version) of the new group of foundations being released that also contain anti-aging serums. Having this kind of product combination seems like a good idea for women who find it time consuming or difficult to apply a foundation and facial serum separately. But I do wonder if a using a foundation with serum will provide the same level of protection against aging that applying a serum and then a foundation does.
Covergirl’s serum partner is Olay, a company whose anti-aging products have been shown in studies to be more or just as effective as serums several times its cost. If you don’t have sensitivities to Talc or Titanium Dioxide this should work well. For whatever reason, Olay’s anti-aging products with Niacinamide have always broken me out. As for shades, this comes in the same ones as all the other Covergirl foundations. There’s a wide range for women across the skin color spectrum. But, as usual, the foundation makes a huge jump from Tawny and Toasted Almond to the much darker Sable. Plus, the darker shades have an orange undertone typical of drugstore cosmetics.
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide
Other Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Ozokerite, Acetyl Glucosamine, Silica, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Panthenol, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Stearic Acid, Methicone, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide
Cost: $15.99
CLINIQUE: Superfit Makeup
Clinique Superfit Makeup
I knew Clinique was going through a huge transition with its foundations when it became harder to find some of its old stalwarts. Superfit makeup was one of those Clinique perennials; the company relaunched it last year. The foundation is supposed to be a long-wearing one that withstands humidity and the oily onslaught of your T-zone area. Unfortunately, this foundation contains Isostearyl Palmitate, which can irritate skin with repeated use. It would be wise to start using it in an unobtrusive area before applying it to your face.
One thing that always horrified me about Clinique’s makeup is how unnatural some of the shades look, particularly the ones for women of color. The company seemed to rectify matters when it launched the Perfectly Real line. Superfit doesn’t provide the wide range of shades that Perfectly Real does, but at least Clinique is acknowledging women of color. There are three shades in the olive/dark range: Nutmeg, Toffee Brown and Spicy. Unfortunately, the Nutmeg looks extremely orange. Fair-skinned women are also complaining that the lightest shade is too dark for them. Clinique could probably do a lot more business if it began offering products that work for women at the extreme ends of the skin shade spectrum.
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Nylon-12, Bis-Peg/Ppg-14/14 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Magnesium Stearate, Silk Powder\Serica\Poudre De Soie, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Bisabolol, Cetyl Peg/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate, Hexyl Laurate, Laureth-7, Nylon-6, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polyurethane-9, Polyethylene, Hydroxyapatite, Dimethicone, Alumina, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Mica]
Cost: $20.50
PERFEKT: Skin Perfection Gel
Perfekt Liquid Foundation
This is another one of those silicone-based, foundation/primer combination makeups that became quite popular in 2008. With these all-in-one products, the foundation provides color while the silicones make the skin look matte and pore-free. But as with Armani’s Face Fabric, this foundation won’t cover significant skin discolorations.
The Skin Perfection Gel is worth a look if any of the other foundations of this kind caused breakouts. But be careful. This formulation contains isododecane, a known skin irritant, as it’s first ingredient. Test it behind the ear for awhile to see what kind of reaction your skin has to it before smearing it on your entire face. There’s a “To-Go” version for $17.50 if you want to give it a try without the investment.
This product comes in a nice range of shades including Translucent, Luminous and Radiant for fair skin; Rich for olive or darker skin; and Decadent, a mohagany brown for dark skin.
Ingredients: Isododecane, Polysilicone – 11, Dimethicone, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Montmorillonite, Thioctic Acid, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491.
Cost: $57.50
LORAC – Breakthrough Performance Foundation SPF 14
LORAC Breakthrough Performance Foundation
I was a HUGE fan of LORAC’s oil free foundation – until I realized it didn’t really cover all that well and it may have broken me out – hence the need for coverage. Whatever, the shade match was perfect! Because of my semi-positive experience with the line, I always check out the new products that LORAC introduces. The latest LORAC entry is the Breakthrough Performance Foundation. Like most foundations these days, it’s promising to do some of the anti-aging work that used to be expect only of creams and lotions. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with pampering your skin with anti-aging products. But be aware that you’re probably not going to apply as much foundation to your skin as you would a moisturizer. So the benefits are limited.
I was really disappointed when I checked out this foundation at Sephora. Usually LORAC is very conscious of providing a range of product for a wide range of skin shades. I was surprised to see that the darkest shade in this foundation was #7. It basically looks like it will work on women with parchment colored skin with a yellow undertone. I wouldn’t be able to use this foundation anyway because it contains titanium dioxide, but it’s sad to see that the option wasn’t available to me from the get-go.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 5%, Titanium Dioxide 8.57%.
Other Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Behenyl Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl PEG/ PPG 10/1 Dimethicone, Talc, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Ethylhexanoate/ Stearate/ Adipate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methicone, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Disodium Edta, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Tripeptide-3, Trisodium Inositol Triphosphate, CI 77491 (Iron Oxide). , CI 77492 (Iron Oxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxide).
Cost: $38
NEUTROGENA: Mineral Sheers Liquid Foundation SPF 20
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Foundation
This drugstore product seems to be trying to capitalize on the success of Yves Saint Laurent’s Perfect Touch makeup. Both use a brush attached to the foundation bottle so you can stroke the product onto your skin easily. I never though this method of application was a good idea. What happens if you squeeze too much product out of the bottle? Is there a way for you to push the extra foundation back into the container? The attached brush may also, in constant use, accumulate yucky things that you don’t really want to brush onto your face repeatedly.
I’m also disappointed with the shade selection of this product. Mineral Sheers Liquid comes in 12 shades, but Neutrogena clearly only wishes to accommodate a limited range of skin tones. Women with dark skin are simply not in that category, apparently. Those with honey colored skin are probably the darkest ones who can use this makeup since “Tan” is the darkest shade. If this approach works for Neutrogena, fine. But it seems to me the company is ignoring a huge audience of potential customers by not having foundations that serve a wider variety of skin shades.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (3%), Titanium Dioxide (6.3%)
Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclomethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, PEG-75 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Pantothanic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Flour, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Sclerotium Gum, Polymethylmethacrylate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Proplyparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Mica, Iron Oxides
Cost: $14.49
LAURA MERCIER: Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
Laura Mercier has a new addition to its tinted moisturizer line. The Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer is advertised on the Laura Mercier website as a buildable foundation that can be used alone or with your regular foundation as a highlighter. It mainly seems to give the skin radiance and add moisture. But women with combination or oily skin should tread carefully. It’s a pretty heavy product with shea butter, castor oil and olive oil. It could cause breakouts.
This product comes in three “shades”: Bare Radiance, Natural Radiance and Warm Radiance. As usual for Laura Mercier, the selection for dark-skinned girls leaves a lot to be desired. The Warm Radiance, the darkest shade, looks grayish on the skin, leaving behind an ashy, silver shimmer. Women with lighter skin may have some luck with the Bare Radiance. It looks almost golden but, depending on your skin tone, the dark tan shade could also be too light.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.50%, Avorbenzone 2.00%.
Other Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hexyl Laurate, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), XYlitol, Copper Gluconate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Tribehenin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Mica, Tin Oxide.
Cost: $42
NARS: Firming Foundation
NARS Firming Foundation
NARS just introduced this new Firming Foundation. It’s not listed on the company’s site yet, but it’s now available at Sephora, Nordstrom and Saks. One great thing about this makeup is that NARS really extended its shade range. Jamaica was the darkest shade in the Oil Free Foundation, which was my favorite before I realized it was breaking me out. The Balanced Foundation includes Jamaica, Tahiti and Hawaii for darker skinned girls. This new line features New Guinea for medium complexions with yellow undertones and Benares for medium complexions with red undertones. Plus Trinidad for dark complexions with yellow undertones and Torguga for the darkest complexions. Shades such as New Orleans, Cadiz and Tahoe should serve light skinned women well.
What I really like about this makeup is its really simple formulation. Firming Foundation is basically a glycerin-based foundation that includes a lot of antioxidant ingredients and Polypeptides, which are great for the skin. One question you have to ask yourself is whether you apply enough foundation on your face to get the benefits of the ingredients. If you do, Firming Foundation could be worth its rather high price tag.
Ingredients: Vitamin E Acetate, Argireline, Dermaxyl, Rigin, Boswellia Extract, Algae Extract, Centella Asiatica Ext. Organic, Gatuline RP with Vitamin C, Glycerin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cost: $50
BOBBI BROWN: Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15
Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation
This popular foundation is a Bobbi Brown classic for women with normal to dry skin. Warm Natural, Honey, Golden, Warm Almond, Almond, Warm Walnut, Walnut, Chestnut and Expresso will work for women with a wide range of skin colors and undertones. The foundation is also buildable, so it should hide any skin imperfections.
One problem I have long had with this line is that the darker colors, i.e. Walnut and Chestnut, tend to veer towards orange. But I give Bobbi Brown kudos for adding more deeper shades into the mix. A few years ago, she only sold the Almond, Walnut and Chestnut, which went from yellow undertones to a deep orange. Unfortunately, although I love the concept of Bobbi Brown’s makeup line, her foundation and concealer products tend to break me out. This product contains Isocetyl Alcohol, which is highly comedogenic. Jojoja oil also may cause some women’s skin to break out, but other women really love using it as a moisturizer.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Cyclomethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Carpylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Isocetyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Wheat Germ Glycerides, Magnesium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Whey Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lavender, Triethyl Citrate, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone Copolyol Crosspolymer, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, HDI/Trimethyol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triclosan, Chloroxylenol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben. (+/-)Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Mica
Cost: $42
MAC:Face and Body Foundation
MAC Face and Body Foundation
Face and Body foundation is a longtime favorite in the MAC cosmetics line. It’s touted as a long-lasting product that photographs well. As a water resistant foundation, it should also still be doing its job of evening out the skin tone at the end of a sweaty summer day. For a long time, the darkest shade available in this foundation was C4. MAC has extended the line, as it has with many of its foundations, to include C5, C6, N5 and N9. Ostensibly that sounds great, but N9 looks extremely orange and even the darkest C shades look very light.
Unfortunately for me, MAC cosmetics have always broken me out. Since this one contains Talc, I would pass on it. But this would be a great foundation for women with less sensitive skin to try.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Tea-Stearate, PVP/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Talc, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood), Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben. May contain:
Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Chromium Oxide Greens
Cost: $32
MultiFACEted Cosmetics 