I am a HUGE fan of tinted moisturizers, and always prefer wearing them over foundations. I just love the natural finish and the barely-there coverage. Reading Rola's Fountain of Youth review made me want to try the new NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, and I was all set to go out and buy it until I realized that I had a sample in my Barneys Gift Bag!! Not only was that a perfect way to try it out, but it was also in the shade Alaska (the second lightest shade- which is just perfect for me). While the swatch looks a little yellow on my arm it is perfect when blended on my face. I liked my sample so much that I went to Sephora and bought the full size tube!
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| Alaska |
There are 9 shades available:
1. Finland: Lightest with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
2. Alaska: Light with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
3. St. Moritz: Medium with a neutral yellow undertone
4. Annapurna: Medium with a neutral peachy undertone
5. Cuba: Medium with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
6. Malaga: Medium dark with warm caramel undertones
7. Seychelles: Medium dark with golden olive undertones
8. Martinique: Medium dark with warm red undertones
9. Polynesia: Dark with warm chocolate undertones
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30+ is a lovely light weight oil-free formula that is very hydrating for my combination skin. I have been using it for about a month and can't judge whether or not it is reducing the "appearance of discoloration and dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation" as it claims to do because I use Sunday Riley's Stimulant III Perfecting Stem Cell Serum (reviewed here) religiously and as a result I now have ridiculously even skin tone. I also can't speak to the claim that "it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections" because between Sunday Riley's Good Genes (reviewed here), Juno Oil (reviewed here), Stimulant I (reviewed here) & Stimulant III these issues have been taken care of. If this tinted moisturizer helps do any of these things- well, fantastic! I just use it because it feels and looks wonderful, and because I love a good tinted moisturizer! The finish is smooth and natural, and it imparts just enough coverage to maintain a healthy natural glow. Honestly, I don't even use it for the SPF since I use a separate sunscreen (Cashmere SPF 30 reviewed here), but it doesn't hurt to have the added protection.
They claim that it is infused with lush, naturally derived
ingredients, and that this lightweight tinted moisturizer immediately helps
thirsty skin feel hydrated.
Natural polysaccharides from Moorea island in French Polynesia hydrate, condition, and help encourage natural cell renewal.* Mineral-rich seawater uniquely revitalizes and adds key minerals back into the skin.* Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ helps improve skin's overall condition. Soft and smooth to the touch, skin looks natural and glowing. This dermatologist-tested product is free of oil, synthetic fragrances and is non-comedogenic.
It does not contain: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, or Triclosan.
You will notice that it does contain various silicones & PEGs- so if you have a sensitivity or an aversion to these ingredients then you might want to pass.
Overall assessment: I really like this tinted moisturizer a great deal, and suspect this won't be the last tube that I purchase!
$42.00 1.9 oz. Available where NARS is sold.
i just started using this from the sample i got from the barneys gwp and i really like it too. and the shade alaska fits me perfectly. this is going to be my next purchase. and you make me wanna try the sunday riley skincare products.
ReplyDeleteI am somehow surprised by how much I like it! It's pretty amazing that the sample was actually the right color for us! How we beauty bloggers continuously enable each other!! I was JUST reading your review on NARS Blonde Venus-- it looks SO gorgeous on you. I want to try it now!! Oh, be careful of the Sunday Riley obsession-- I have found that once you fall down that rabbit hole there is no coming back! If you decide to try anything definitely contact Suzi at Barneys Beverly Hills (310) 276-4400 Ext. 5613 or x5598 and tell her I sent you-- and she will give you all sorts of extras. She's awesome!
DeleteI am glad you like the Nars Tinted Moisturizer:)
ReplyDeleteI do!! I am so happy that I had a sample to try first, but truthfully your review made me want it!! I noticed that you were following me through GFC-- and somehow it has basically disappeared from my blog! I knew that it was going away from non blogger blogs, but mine is through blogger. I'm trying to get to the bottom of it, but in the meantime I don't think you will be getting my feed. ;-(
DeleteThat says a lot if you actually bought the full size product. I am making a trip to Nordstrom tomorrow, so I will ask for a sample too! Excited :) it is nice to find a brand that carries shades w/yellow undertones too. I have been using a sample I got from Chantecaille - Just Skin tinted moisturizer. I really like it - the finish, shade matches, but I wish it was a little longer lasting. You might want to check it out sometime, for some reason I thought of you when I got my sample.. :)
ReplyDeleteI was actually pretty surprised that I liked it enough to buy the full size product!! Definitely get a sample-- I can't wait to hear what you think about it. I agree- it's nice that there are shades with yellow undertones as well.
DeleteOH tell me more about the Chantecaille Tinted Moisturizer!! Would you consider buying it given the price point and shorter wear time? That is so sweet of you to have thought of me when you were getting your sample :-) I will definitely ask for a sample next time I'm at Nordstrom. I would definitely want to try it before throwing down $64.00 for a tinted moisturizer. I do love a good tinted moisturizer though!!
this is just a quick reply, but I am wearing this today and so far I am impressed. I actually think I like it more than the Chantecaille TM. It seems to be longer lasting. I did use a primer w/it though. Do you? The Chantecaille feels really nice - light, no strong smell, not tacky, did not cake, but for me the lasting power could have improved. Even w/a primer, it did started to fade before 5pm. I like the finish of it though - not cakey, not matte, pretty dewy but not "oily" looking.
DeleteI really like the finish of the Nars one as well. The color match is better than the Chantecaille one - which does not offer many shades at all! The sample I got is Finland. I like how my neck and face are not 2 different colors!
I'm so glad you like it too, Nicolle. It was a pleasant surprise for me as well. Good to know that it lasts longer than the Chantecaille TM!! Based on your experience with Chantecaille I definitely want to try a sample. I have worn the NARS TM both with and without primer, but most often without. I liked the finish and wear both ways, though it did last longer with the primer than without. However, I felt that the wear time was good enough that I didn't really require a primer- so it saves a step.
DeleteColor matching is everything to me-- there's nothing worse than a great formula that doesn't have a color in your shade!! I hate it when my face looks like it belongs on another neck!!! I swatched Finland & Alaska and Alaska was a better match for me.
I'm back! :) sorry, one more question! How do you apply this? do you use one of your Hakuhoho brushes? I used my fingers this morning. It looks fine but wondering if I can get a better finish using something else.
ReplyDeleteHi! I have applied it both ways. It works fine with my fingers, but I'll find any excuse to use the Hakuhodo G5557-2mm or G543! I think that tinted moisturizers are emollient enough that fingers can give a good finish in general, but fingers don't give the same airbrushed finish that a great brush can give. So if I had to choose between my fingers or one of my Hakuhodo brushes then I would choose one of my brushes. If I didn't have time in the morning- then I would probably just put a little TM in my hand add a small pump of Juno Oil mix it in my hands and rub it into my face with my fingers.
Deletehmm, I will check those brushes out then. thanks! If you add Juno Oil, does it change the tinted moisturizer much? Even though I like this I still want to get the Sunday Riley foundation and the primer!
DeleteJust be aware (read: beware!!) Hakuhodo brushes are super addictive, seriously. Everyone that gets them seems to go a little crazy-- so my only advice is to start out slow and get only what you "need" at first. It's an expensive habit!! With that said, I seriously covet my Hakuhodo brushes, and have a folder on my computer with pictures of the brushes that I still want!
DeleteI don't add that much Juno Oil-- just a small amount- it just adds a bit more moisture and a gorgeous luminous glow- so no, I don't add enough to really change the consistency. After I add it I rub it in my palms to blend the ingredients- then I put it on my face. I pretty much add Juno to everything! Oh, I totally agree about the SR primer and foundation-- they are AWESOME, and I don't see NARS TM as a substitute for them. I like to rotate a variety of products. Since SR Tinted Primer works like a tinted moisturizer it is enough on its own. If I had to choose between it and the NARS TM-- I would choose the one from SR, but I like having both!
Hey there, You have done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I'm sure they'll be benefited from this site.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words :-)
DeleteHow does this compare to a BB cream? Or is this the pre-curser to a BB cream? I used to use a tinted moisturizer (Lancome) many, many years ago. They have now tansformed that into a bb cream. I have tried a few BB creams and my current favorite is the one by L'Occitane. I just slap it on my face with my fingers and pretend I have on foundation..... Yes, it's laziness; I admit it. I figure it's evening my skin tone which is what I need--particularly since I have not recently found a foundation I love despite plunking down my cash for a few of them......
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a tinted moisturizer and not a BB Cream. I really like this one and still have a tube in my regular rotation, and in fact have been using it it daily recently. I have one or two BB Creams (B, Kamins is one, and I'm not sure what the other one is since it hasn't seen the light of day in ages), but I apply this NARS just as you do your BB Cream, and find that it offers me the perfect amount of coverage. My skin always looks even and slightly luminous when I use this. Despite the fact that it contains an SPF, I still use an additional sunscreen with it. NARS usually has samples of it– so it might be worth asking for one to see if you like the formula. I know what you mean about plunking down $$$ for foundations– it is very tricky to find one that you love, that works well for your skin, and that is a good color match!
DeleteI will attempt to find a sample. I always have the foundation applied in store prior to purchase. Sometimes it's just not the same in the light of day and maybe sometimes my skill is not up to par especially compared to the SA at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales where I usually make such a purchase. Whatever the case, I am still on the hunt. I need to just throw away the 'rejects' but somehow I can't make myself--especially the one for which I paid $65. I don't wear foundation very often but I would like it to look great when I do since it's usually for a night out or special occasion....
ReplyDeleteIt definitely makes a difference to apply the foundation in-store and then go outside to see how it looks. It also makes a huge difference to check again after a while to see if it oxidizes on your skin! One of the things that you can do with your rejects, rather than throwing them away, is turning them into tinted moisturizers by missing them with your moisturizer or cream. You just add enough to get the desired level of coverage When I do this I often include a couple of drops of one of my face oils as well You can also mix a few of your foundations to your moisturizer to get the desired color match. Give it a try!
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