My whole life, I’ve always been a full coverage kinda gal when it comes to foundation. I always thought I needed it, so I never really bothered trying any tinted moisturizers. This all changed a few years ago, and while I still love some of my full coverage foundations, I usually reach for a nice tinted moisturizer on the daily.
You may think a tinted moisturizer isn’t ideal for your skin type, or maybe you’ve never even tried one before, and that’s okay! Whether you have sensitive or oily skin, or just want that effortless no makeup look, here are some good places to start!
The first would, hands down, be the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. With broad spectrum SPF in 30, this protects your face with a formula that supports your skin’s overall condition, and is lightweight and natural-looking! This liquid is ideal for normal to dry skin, and goes on like a dream! The coverage is listed as “light”, but I’ve found the pigmented formula easy to build and layer. The only downside is the limited shade range, which makes it a product I wouldn’t carry in my makeup kit for clients. But for personal daily use, this is definitely a win! (Available at www.narscosmetics.com)
The second spot goes to the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector. While I wasn’t too big of a fan of the previous one, this redone formula is EVERYTHING! This new and improved liquid has skincare benefits infused in it, as well as SPF, which is pretty standard in most tinted moisturizers. I also saw a noticeable difference in the skin’s texture with it’s slightly blurring effect. With a naturally dewy finish which gives your skin a “I just came back from the beach” glow, this formula is ideal for that no-makeup makeup look, and my go to for mature skin. (Available at www.lauramercier.com)
The third favorite is the Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation. The first thing I noticed about the range of this brand is that it is far better than most tinted moisturizers on the market. Don’t let the oil part scare you: this formula is ideal for ALL skin types. With its pore minimizing effects, this light coverage formula is absolutely breathtaking. This breathable, all-day wear liquid is easy to layer to get more coverage, and works best on exfoliated skin due to the fact that it doesn't have any silicones. I’ve had the opportunity to use this on a few shoots, and this looks as beautiful in real life as it does behind the lens! If you’re a skincare fanatic like I am, you’ll love the benefits of this foundation. With jojoba seed oil and avocado oil, it balances the skin like none other! (Available at www.kosas.com)
And last, but not least, is the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint Foundation. When they say “Super Serum’, they mean it! This natural finish, light coverage liquid is ideal for all skin types, and has so many skincare benefits: Niacinimide to smooth, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide to safely shield from UVA and UVB (as well as from blue light and infrared, how cool is that?), and Hyaluronic Acid to seal in hydration. The shade range is also wider than its competitors, and comes in a dropper to help you use only what you need. It’s also vegan and cruelty free, and has recyclable packaging, making it environmentally friendly. Weightless and without any white cast, this is ideal for summertime use! (Available at www.iliabeauty.com)