Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer is... happiness in a bottle!

A few weeks ago, I blogged my thoughts on the ELF Studio tinted moisturizer (click here to read it!), namely how I felt it was much too sheer in the coverage department.  Well, the lovely and super gracious Jennifer of Jen's Beauty Blog offered to send me her bottle of Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer so I could try it out (I always wanted to try out a LM tinted moisturizer but couldn't rationalize the price).  She told me it didn't work for her because it wasn't oil free, and that since we were similar skin tones it might for me.  I received it in the mail at the beginning of last week- after much anticipation!- and have been anxiously trying it out.

Before I go on, thank you so much Jennifer for your kindness!  She went completely out of her way to do this for me, and it's greatly appreciated.

Has it been working for me like I had hoped?

She included a cute note along with the bottle :)

Swatch- Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer in Bare Radiance

Blended into hand

Blended in on face, without any other products

(Please excuse my untamed eyebrows... oh my.) 

Having only tried drugstore tinted moisturizers before (and not really all that many to begin with- Physicians Formula, Cover Girl, ELF), and knowing that Laura Mercier makes some of the best TMs in terms of coverage, I was really excited to try this out.  From reviews I've read, I figured that this product was right up my alley in terms of what I look for in coverage, texture, etc.  

From lauramercier.com:

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer is a lightweight, buildable sheer foundation formula that delivers a youthful, radiant finish, while protecting skin from the damaging rays of the sun with SPF 20 protection.

It runs $42 for 1.7oz, and comes in three shades (Bare Radiance, Warm Radiance, Golden Radiance). 

Color:  The shade Jennifer had and sent to me is the lightest- Bare Radiance- which suits my NC20-25 skin tone really well.  At first I thought it would be too yellow for my skin, but it actually counters the pinkness in my face quite well.  The lightweight formula is also forgiving.  I can see the limitations in shade range being a downside for many people, but fortunately her Laura Mercier's regular tinted moisturizers come in a much wider selection.

Texture:  The consistency is kind of like a runny lotion, if that makes sense.  It's thick enough to feel moisturizing, but still thin so it covers wider areas.  This makes it easy to smooth on using my fingers.  In comparison to my ELF Studio tinted moisturizer (which is quite runny) it is thicker and more like a cream.

Finish/Coverage:  Being an illuminating tinted moisturizer, it has a nice, dewy finish.  It reminds me of how my skin looks after I apply my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil- not shimmery, just kind of "glowy".  I wouldn't recommend this for oiler skin types just because it isn't oil-free and the finish could enhance any excess oil.  For my drier skin, however, it feels refreshing and perks up my skin.

In terms of coverage, this is leaps and bounds better than my ELF Studio TM (which covered little to nothing).  This Laura Mercier TM gives lightweight coverage- enough to even out my skin tone, covering up redness, small scars, and milk discoloration.  With my pimples/breakout areas I find I still need concealer but on most days I can skip it (especially since my skin is FINALLY clearing up a little! YES!).

I have some redness around my nose/T-zone, as well as on my cheeks.  I also have minor acne scars and a few pimples in my T-zone.  Around my eye area and on my cheeks I have light freckles.  

I've been using this in combination with either my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, or Bare Minerals foundation which I just tried for the first time today.  The latter is great for a little extra coverage.

Wear Quality:  For me, this lasts from the time I put it on to when I take it off (so on average about 12 hours).  I don't normally have a difficult time with foundations oxidizing too quickly, especially with how dry my skin has been lately.  Compared to my Bare Minerals, however, this wears considerably better.  I love Bare Minerals but towards the end of the day I always notice my acne scars showing.  With the Laura Mercier, the lightweight coverage stays put when I need it to. 

Overall, I'm really happy that Jennifer was able to send this to me!  I'm seriously considering checking out Laura Mercier's regular tinted moisturizers or lightweight foundations when I run out.  It's easy to apply, looks amazing, and hasn't irritated my skin in the slightest.

Wearing it with light application of Bare Minerals foundation on top

What are your experiences with tinted moisturizers?  Thoughts?  Thank you for reading!

Lightest of the light coverage=ELF Studio Tinted Moisturizer

Hey everyone!  The last couple of weeks have been really busy on my end, so I really, really apologize for the lack of posting.  Last weekend I had my first experience doing makeup/hair/costume design on a movie set- it was amazing!  Tiring, but worth it.  It was a senior film major's final film project, a guy who's a friend of my best friend (he produced the movie and asked me to work on it).  The girl I worked with is extremely talented with hair- she taught me how to "professionally" dye hair, along with other tips/tricks.  We also gave one of the actors a bloody gash on the back of his head with fake blood/q-tip cotton swaps.  I got very little sleep over the three days we shot the film (it's only 15-minutes in length), but I'm happy to have had the experience and hopefully will do it again!  

Anyway, that's a little of what has been keeping me busy.  My mom also came to visit me this week (it was my spring break), so that was a nice "break" from the craziness that has been my life as of lately!

I have quite a few things lined up for review actually- right now it's a matter of finding the time to take proper pictures and type up my thoughts.  I picked up this ELF Studio tinted moisturizer at Target a few weeks ago (I was so surprised to find it there, along with several other new Studio line products!) and have been using it on and off ever since.  

ELF Studio Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain

From ELF's website, "This lightweight and hydrating formula is breathable and provides anti-aging sun protection with UVA/UVB SPF 20. Achieve even skin tone and naturally radiant skin with this moisturizing sheer tint of color. The smooth formula enhances your complexion with the nourishing key ingredients Aloe, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E."

Price: $3.00/0.7oz

Packaging:  This comes in a squeeze tube, which is my preferred style of packaging when it comes to face makeup.  I find it travels easily, it's fairly compact, there's no worry about it spilling/cracking open, and you can control how much you dispense.  No hair-trigger pumps or glass jars to fumble around with.  In the reviews I've read about this TM online, a lot of people complained about the packaging looking half-empty from the strip on the front that shows the color.  Some also said it feels like there's hardly any product inside.  The tube I picked out at Target looked full from the color strip, and it's such a lightweight formula that the tube probably isn't going to feel heavy (even if it's filled completely).

Color:  There are a total of 7 shades; I chose the lightest shade, Porcelain, which I just noticed is for "very fair skin skintones with yellow undertones."  Online in my shopping cart I had picked the next darkest shade, Nude, but I'm glad I ended up purchasing it in Porcelain!  Although I consider my skintone to be a little darker than "porcelain" (I'm about a NW20/25 in MAC depending on the season), this shade didn't seem too light to me from the color on the tube.  Nude definitely looked too dark.  As you can see from the swatches below, it has a lot of yellow in it- too much for my liking.  Fortunately the coverage is so light that it's forgiving, otherwise this would be a bigger problem (I also have some redness in my face that I like to cover, so the yellow-ness helps cancel it out).

Texture:  The consistency is a mixture between a liquid and a kind of mousse, if that makes any sense at all!  It's really lightweight and feels moisturizing on my skin.  It's almost on the runny side, but to me that just helps make it easier to blend in.  I actually like the texture of this, especially having dry/sensitive skin.  It's a contrast from the $1 ELF tinted moisturizer, that is creamier (rather than like a liquid) and thicker. 

Coverage/finish:  Being a tinted moisturizer, you can't expect the coverage of a foundation.  This is probably my most common mistake when trying them out; I want some coverage, just not the feeling of a foundation.  This doesn't really cover anything in terms of spots, pimples, or discoloration.  It cancels out a little of the redness in my cheeks (which I think is mainly due to the yellow undertones), but that's about it.  And because my skin is currently really, really bad due to stress and lack of sleep, I need something that will actually cover breakouts.  Until my skin clears up, I could see using this as a base for my Bare Minerals mineral powder foundation.  Otherwise, you may like this if you have good skin to begin with and just want something to use as a base for the rest of your makeup.
As far as the finish, it's dewy and moisturizing.  I find it looks more "finished" topped with a powder, which is what I do most days anyway.

Pros:
-Affordable
-Lightweight texture
-Feels moisturizing
-SPF 20

Cons:  
-Very little coverage
-Hard to find an exact color match


My pros outweigh the cons above, but I really don't like this.  Maybe when my skin clears up I'll get more use out of it, but right now I'd rather just not wear anything in terms of face makeup.  The coverage is so light that I can hardly tell the difference.  That is specifically because of the state of my skin, though, so I think it's still worth a try if your skin isn't in need of much help.

Have you tried this?  I'm also interested in the ELF Studio Flawless Finish foundation, but it's been out of stock for forever!  I want to place an order but about half of what I want isn't stocked.  So frustrating.
Thanks for reading, like always! :)

e.l.f Studio Tinted Moisturizer VS Essential Tinted Moisturizer

Left- Essential Moisturizer, Right- Studio Moisturizer



Left- Essential moisturizer, Right- Studio moisturizer



Left- Essential moisturizer, Right- Studio moisturizer

Essential Tinted Moisturizer
Anti-aging formula combats premature aging and protects against sun damage while leaving skin radiant and moisturized. The tinted color evens skin tone for a natural look. SPF 15. Scent sugar orange.
Ingredients
Benzophenone-3, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Aqua(Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Mica, Octyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, DEA-Cetyl, Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum, Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance(Aroma), Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides(CI 77491 , CI 7492 , CI 77499)

Cost: $1.00
Shades:

Ivory, Lt. Beige, Apricot Beige, Honey, Spice, Toffee, Rosy Beige









Studio Tinted Moisturizer
This lightweight and hydrating formula is breathable and provides anti-aging sun protection with UVA/UVB SPF 20. Achieve even skin tone and naturally radiant skin with this moisturizing sheer tint of color. The smooth formula enhances your complexion with the nourishing key ingredients Aloe, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E.
Ingredients
ACTIVE: Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Isopalmitate, Titanium Dioxide.
INACTIVE: Water, Mineral Oil, Cyclomethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Steareth-21 Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-2, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparabem, Tocopherol(VE), Retinyl Acetate(VA), Ascorbyk Palmitate(VC), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, MAY CONTAIN: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Cost: $3.00
Shades:

 Porcelain, Nude, Beige, Sand, Almond, Mocha, Espresso






They both share some ingredients- Benzophenone- 3, Titamnium dioxide, Water, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Iron Oxides (C177491, C177492, C177499)

They both blend into the skin really good, leaving a matte finish, they only thing is the Essential line leaves the orange smell it dulls with time. Studio line has no lingering smell.

Each line has 7 colors to choose from, the Studio line has a better selection. It took me three different tries from the Essential line to find a color that matches my skin and I have to mix two shades together.

The Essential line is thicker then the Studio. The Essential has more coverage then the Studio. I really like how the Studio has SPF 20, while the Essential still has a SPF but it's only a 15 (still better then none).

The Studio has 0.7 oz of product and the container doesn't come full. The Essential doesn't say how much you get but the container is full. They both are a screw cap and a squeeze tube.

I really like the Studio line because of the no orange smell and the SPF 20, but the lack of product in the oversize tube is kinda disappointing, and it's only $3
I really like the Essential line because it has better coverage, you get a full container of product and it's only a $1.

I hope this helps you with each tinted moisturizer. Each one has their good and bad points but this is what I find, you could be different.

My colors are Studio- Nude, Essential- Rosy Beige

Wednesday Weekly Favorites: Warm pinks and neutrals

Along with monthly favorites, I decided I'm going to post my most-used products for the week every Wednesday.  This is mainly because I switch between different items so often.  I love doing 'monthly favorites' posts, so I figured why not do little ones more often?

This week I got a lot of use out of a mix of new products and old favorites.  Can you tell I've gotten back into pinks/purple?

(Clockwise from top left: Clinique eyeshadow in Lucky Penny, E.L.F. Studio blush in Mellow Mauve, Aveeno Postively Radiant tinted moisturizer in Fair to Light, L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen mascara in Black, Wet 'n' Wild eyeshadow trio in Walking On Eggshells, Maybelline LE eyeshadow duo in Amethyst Diamonds- from the Diamonds collection)

The Clinique eyeshadow is a warm, shimmery pink/bronze that is simply gorgeous but is one I often overlook.  I don't know why!  Fortunately I uncovered it recently and I have to stop myself from wearing it every day.  I love pairing this with just some black mascara- I think it shines the most when left on its own. 

E.L.F.'s Studio blushes are great.  I've yet to try many of them, but so far I love this one in Mellow Mauve.  It's a dirty rose pink that pairs wonderfully with any of these eyeshadows from this week.

This Aveeno tinted moisturizer I purchased a couple weeks ago, but didn't start wearing until later last week.  It gives super light coverage, which I would typically like more, but this week I've broken out and need something heavier.  It has a nice, thicker consistency, and it blends into skin so you don't even feel it.  Although I'll get good use of this, I probably won't buy it again just because of the $15 price tag.

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen mascara is one I got last year, used awhile and liked it, but ended up losing it.  I bought another one last week to try it out again.  I like it so far, but I'm hoping the formula will thicken up as I wear it more.  It does a pretty good job of volumizing my lashes.

I did a review on this Wet 'n' Wild palette here.  I still love it just as much!  So great for everyday, but the shimmer saves it from being boring.

The purple in this Maybelline Diamonds duo eyeshadow is gorgeous!  I talked about it in this post, but now I've had the chance to use it.  I wish the pigmentation was better, but I love the color so much that I can overlook that.

Swatches:

(Top- Maybelline Diamonds eyeshadow duo

Middle- Clinique eyeshadow and E.L.F. blush- the blush shows up orange in the swatch, but on my face it's definitely more pink

Bottom- Aveeno TM)

What are some of your most-used makeup products recently?

Trip to Walgreens- Wet 'n' Wild and Rimmel

Things have been kind of hectic around my place this weekend, which is why I haven't posted until now.  We had extended family staying at our house and barbecues to go to.  Family is now "out of my territory", so I'm feeling much more relaxed to say the least.
Today I went over to Walgreens because they have Rimmel lip & eye products 50% off.  I also had a $2/1 coupon to use that I printed from Allyou.com a couple of weeks ago (I took Recessionista's advice and waited until this week to use it!).
I got another tube of the Max Volume Flash mascara, and then spotted the Wet 'n' Wild tinted moisturizer that I've heard a lot about.  I picked one up in Beige.

Rimmel Max Volume Flash mascara in Very Black

WnW Ultimate Sheer tinted moisturizer in Beige

I was really excited about getting the mascara again- I love this mascara.  It really clings to my lashes and makes them look the closest to falsies than other ones (With the exception of Maybelline Colossal Volum Express).  Look at the brush:

It's fat and spiky, but the bristles really get into your lashes and separate them.  At least my old tube did- this one that I got today doesn't look so promising.  Maybe I got a bad tube?  I don't know, but I'm hoping that another go tomorrow will have my lashes looking better.  When I got home today from Walgreens and tried on the mascara, it just went on horribly.  :(

Anyway, on to the tinted moisturizer.  Here are a couple of pictures:

This looked super peachy in color when I tried it out on my hand, but on my face, it's like the perfect color.  It's actually the exact OPPOSITE of what happened with my Physicians Formula TM, which looked perfect on my hand, but just slightly off on my face (But still wearable).  I'm actually going to do a quick post comparing the two TMs to each other, so stay tuned for that!

I wore this on my face for the last half of the day, and so far it's good for only $3.99.

Here's the best part of my shopping today:  the value!

Rimmel is 50% off at Walgreens this week, so that took my mascara from $6.98 to $3.49.  Then I had my $2/1 coupon, which brought it down to $1.50.

Monday, 6/7/10 5:00pm

Sorry that this wasn't posted earlier!  I mean for it to go up yesterday evening, but I was having some issues with Blogger.  It looks like everything is working for me now, thankfully.

So, have you tried either of these products?  What are your thoughts on them?

Physician's Formula Tinted Moisturizer

Good afternoon everyone!  I've had a lovely day.  It started out with getting my teeth cleaned (Eh), but I was very happy to hear there's nothing wrong with them.  I used to have an extreme phobia of the dentist- I think because of the scary dentist I had when I was growing up- which I've finally gotten over for the most part.  Now, I just worry they will find something wrong with my teeth.  My parents didn't give me fabulous teeth genes, so although they're in good health at the moment, I have to do a lot to keep them that way!

Anyway, after work I stopped by Target to browse for manufacturer coupons on foundations.  :)  Target often times has stickers stuck to makeup products that say like, "Take $3.00 off" or something.  Usually they're not on products I'm interested, but this time they were!  Physician's Formula usually has those, too, and today I was in GREAT luck.
On the Healthy Wear SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer, the bottles had stickers for $3.00 off.  Then I looked behind the bottles in front, and there was one hiding that had a sticker for $5.00 off!  So I picked up that bottle and only paid $7.99 for the TM, before tax (They retail at Target for $12.99).

I didn't get a picture that showed it, but this is SPF 50.  Awesome!

I was really hesitant about buying this, because from the packaging you can't tell the color.  The only real idea you get is from the sticker on the bottle (Where it says "fair to light").  In my opinion, the actual color of the TM is darker than how the sticker shows it, so it's not even very accurate.  I was prepared to save my receipt and return to Target in case the color was way off.

Luckily for me, it's pretty darn close to my skin.  On my hand it looks only a little darker, but I tried it on my face and it's just fine (Especially in the summer, when I don't mind a slightly darker foundation anyway).

I'll update this when I've given it a full review, but from the looks of it so far, it provides nice coverage for a tinted moisturizer.  It's much thicker than my $1 ELF tinted moisturizer, yet still feels light.

One last thing about the color before I wrap this up- the one I have leans more pink than yellow.  You can't really tell from my pictures, unfortunately.  Just something to keep in mind if you have more yellow undertones.

I do have one question, for anyone who'd like to answer- What is the best thing to wear over tinted moisturizer? Would you recommend a translucent powder?  I've noticed with tinted moisturizers they can look shiny, so I don't know if translucent powder would be the best option for this?  I'm so new to face makeup LOL, sorry.  Thanks again for all your help!

Oh, and I got my ELF package today!  Expect photos/first impressions tomorrow, as it's my day off.  I have nothing planned besides playing around with all my stuff, hehe.