During the S/S months, the last thing I want to do is stifle my skin by wearing a heavy, thick foundation. Stripping back to a sheerer base not only feels better, but also looks better in the unforgiving sunshine. Tinted moisturisers and their fancier, souped-up counterparts (BB, CC, EE creams) are the way to go and I have five favourites which I switch between, depending on what my skin is craving each day.
Nars is probably my number one brand for base makeup and the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser is a beaut. Having an almost gel-like consistency, this is the most refreshing of my chosen five. Cloaking the skin in a veil of translucent cover, it gently evens out the skin-tone, without masking it. As the name suggests, this oil-free tinted moisturiser gives the skin a glow, but has a satin finish and isn't too moisturising. That means it tends to last longer on the skin and makes a great option for anyone with a normal, combination or even slightly oily skin-type. Having an SPF of 30 PA+++, you can rest assured that your skin is well protected from the both UVA and UVB rays, without needing to use a separate sunscreen. The formula has a faint, fruity fragrance to be wary of if you have sensitive skin, but it hasn't caused any issues for me, so far.
Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser was the first I ever purchased and it says a lot that I've bought it multiple times and it's still a firm favourite in my collection. Offering the least coverage and absorbing quickly, I feel I need to use more of this one, per application. But, I'm just obsessed with how illuminated and radiant this leaves my skin looking. Once it's had time to settle, it's almost as if it places a perfecting, blurring filter over the skin. As it's oil-free, it doesn't have a greasy feel and helps to control oil breakthrough. Without drowning the skin in too much moisture, Laura Mercier's classic leaves skin feeling comfortably hydrated and plumped, instead of overloaded. I would say that the shades translate as slightly darker on the skin, compared to in the tube, so definitely swatch a couple of colours at a counter before purchasing, to avoid a bad match. Again, the SPF of 20 is great and it also has a slight, suncream scent to it which soon dissipates once it hits the face.
Sitting somewhere between premium and high-street, is the Dr Jart+ Regenerating Beauty Balm. When my skin is in need of some serious TLC, this is the one I turn to. Super thick and creamy, the formula feels luxurious and nourishing. Better suited for dry or mature skins, it provides an intense dose of moisture, leaving a dewy layer of goodness on the surface. As it's a beauty balm, the level of coverage is a step-up from a tinted moisturiser and makes light work of toning down redness and concealing minor blemishes. Unlike the others, you can definitely feel that you're wearing this product and it does take longer to blend in seamlessly. Setting with powder across my T-zone is a must, to ensure that it lasts as long as possible, even on my parched skin. As the whole range of Dr Jart BB Creams come in a 'one colour suits all' shade, it can feel like a risk to purchase one, but they adapt amazingly to your individual colouring. Saying that, if you have a very pale, alabaster skin-tone or anything darker than a medium-olive complexion, you may want to swatch the product first, before taking the plunge. Like the previous two, an SPF of 30 protects the skin, but I have noticed that this one creates a lot of flash-back in photographs. There isn't really a scent to it, though.
As soon as world-renowned makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge, mentioned her love for the Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme, the beauty world went crazy for it, including myself. For anyone with a normal to oily skin, this is the dream, BB cream. Whilst the formula is hydrating, the fresh finish is a lot more velvety than dewy. You get a radiant complexion, without the worry that you need to constantly touch-up with powder all day, to keep it from sliding around and disappearing after a few hours. Providing a decent amount of coverage, you can easily build up the product to achieve your desired result, without ever looking caked in makeup. Whilst all of the others come in a squeezy tube, Dior's packaging comes with the bonus of a pump. Delivering the perfect amount of product per application, the nifty addition prevents waste and keeps everything nice and hygienic. Although the SPF of 10 is fairly low, it doesn't create a ghostly white-cast in flash photos, from my experience. The only negative to this otherwise perfect product, is that it has the strongest scent of my top five, which you may want to take note of.
The cheapest formula of my picks, is the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream. Being a CC cream, Bourjois have used three, colour correcting pigments within the formula, to combat dullness, redness and pigmentation, which I definitely think makes a difference. With a liquid texture and a generous coverage for this kind of product, this one feels more like a lightweight foundation, than a tinted moisturiser. Another that's great for anyone with a normal to oily skin, it's oil-free and has a satin finish. Of them all, this has the lightest, least-moisturising texture, by far and feels totally weightless when worn. Being honest, I've never really got on with many of Bourjois' bases, as they don't seem to agree with my skin. But, although this one is highly-fragranced, it hasn't caused any break-outs or irritation.
Have you tried any of these bases? What's your favourite for S/S?
AGB X
16 comments
How have I not tried out any of these?! I need to do some more investigating clearly! Lovely post :)
ReplyDeleteMolly xx
You should give them a go, they're all lovely, depending on your skin-type of course! Thanks, honey! x
DeleteI would kill for my skin to be good enough to get away with a tinted moisturiser only :(
ReplyDeleteHayley @ Tea Party Beauty
Don't be silly, you're skin is gorgeous! I like to use a tinted moisturiser over my whole face, then a high-coverage concealer just in the areas that need it (round the nose, on blemishes etc) :) x
DeleteThis has been such a huge help thank you. Think I am going to get the Nars one
ReplyDeleteKelly
The Life Bath
Aw, I'm so glad! I hope you like it as much as I do! :) x
DeleteI'm glad you've recommended some oil-free options, I don't want to look like an oil slick!
ReplyDeleteKathryn /Cherries in the Snow
Yeah, I think that's the worry with tinted moisturisers, sometimes. My dry skin can handle a rich formula, but oil-free versions are a lot less greasy-looking and do last much longer on the skin, if you're more oily! x
DeleteI quite like the BB Cream from The Body Shop as it blends and adapts to your natural skin tone and also gives skin a really beautiful, healthy glow - one of my favourites and something for summer too! :)
ReplyDeleteLayla xx
www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
I'll have to try that! Thanks for the recommendation :) x
DeleteYou have such a wonderful selection here, and I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on each one. I have dry skin and get on really well with the Bourjois CC cream - it's probably my favourite base product at the moment :)
ReplyDeleteStyle Sunrise ☀
:)
x
Thanks so much! Yeah, my skin is on the dry side and I like it too. It seems like a great all-rounder for all skin-types :) x
DeleteThese are great suggestions and especially as I've been wondering what to do about foundation during spring/summer, whether to opt for something lighter or to not bother with it at all etc. I'll be sure to refer to this when I get around to deciding! Have a lovely weekend Alice! :)
ReplyDeleteGabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
I wish I was brave enough to wear no base at all! haha Well I hope it helps and that you have an awesome weekend, too! :) x
DeleteI forgot all about the Dr Jart BB creams! I remember having a sample and loving it :) off to go have a cheeky swatch in store <3
ReplyDeleteDannie x
www.famousinjapan.co.uk
So many people were mentioning them when they were first released, but you never hear much about them anymore, which is such a shame! x
DeleteThanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment! I try to reply to each and every one of them within 24 hours! x