May 19, 2010

You NEED This: Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer Review and Swatches

I dunno where my mentality stems from but I really hate dishing out a ton of cash for a tinted moisturizer.

So check it.

My logic is that you should pay a ton of money for a good foundation right? You wanna look flawless, you want something long wearing, etc…but really a tinted moisturizer is half the product of a foundation right? So why should I pay more?

That’s why I think you NEED Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer.

Jump!

What is it?

Dude, Tinted Moisturizer for $12 bucks with an SPF….wait for it…of 50! Oh baby!

The Good…

This is kinda my latest obsession at the moment since it’s incredibly light weight, evens out my skin tone, and has a super SPF protection of 50.

The formula is very light wearing and doesn’t feel greasy on my dry skin. Coverage is beautiful in my humblest as it evens out my skin tone perfectly leaving behind fresher, brighter skin. I think it’s rather ideal for dry skin types since it has a nice moisturizing base however oily skin users may benefit as well if they use sparsely.

The Bad….

Not keen on the packaging. Reminds me of those stupid waterproof money holder things you’d see people sportin’ around their neck in the 80’s!

Who Might Like It?

  • Chicklets who don’t wanna dish out $42 bucks or so on a tinted moisturizer
  • Anyone who desires lighter coverage in the Summer.
  • Anyone who wants to even out their skin tone super quick like!

Who Might Not Like It?

  • Anyone who needs heavy coverage to conceal scarring, acne, etc…
  • Anyone with oily skin (you can use this but use it lightly).

Final Thoughts….

This set me back a mere $8 as Physicians Formula has it a peel off coupon that takes $4 off at check out at your local drugstore (normal price is $11.99). $8 for a TM that works so fab is really a super deal. I like the light, even coverage this provides, the affordable price tag, and plus hello mega SPF! A whooping SPF 50 is seriously great sun protection. I think dry skin chicas will benefit from it best but I do think that oily or combo types can take full advantage too. The non-greasy light feel of this is gorgeous for Summer wearin’.

Loves it.

Muse Approved for purchase.

Check it at your local drugstore.

Visit www.physiciansformula.com for further deets!

Anyone try?

Loves?

Which cheap TM’s are you using at the moment?

Check out more affordable Tinted Moisturizers under $15!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

    • the Muse

      mmmm not really jen…it does smell but I didn’t feel it smelled sunscreen-ish…more fresh?

  • Kat

    Could you compare the color to mac foundation shades or some other foundation shades? I’m SUPER pale, and it looks sort of dark, but I’ve heard about this and I want want want.

    • the Muse

      kat I have no mac foundations lol. I’m so sorry…it def leans towards being more beige though so SUPER pale skin might wanna skip out because even the lightest shade (the one I got) has a fair bit of beige to it.

    • Maggie

      If you’re super pale, it will definitely be too dark on you, I’m afraid 🙁 I’m pretty pale (usually wear the lightest or second-lightest foundation in everything) and it’s considerably dark on me.

  • Stephanie

    Ooh, I have to get my hands on this! Thanks so much for your review. I’ve been looking for a decent tinted moisturizer. I had been using ELF’s, but it came off too shiny.

    • the Muse

      hey steph def a nice one hun 😀 and way better than ELF as I have that one too and come across a tad shiny too!

  • kali

    I was wondering about the coupon.. is it on the box of the tinted moisturizer or is there a pad of coupons on one of the shelves? I was looking at this the other day but didn’t see a coupon. =( I think I’m going to try it though..

  • kali

    P.S. I was wondering where you bought your’s at? The CVS’s I’ve been to sell them for about $15! And the Physicians Formula site lists it at $15.. I rather pay $12 and get a coupon LOL.

    • the Muse

      hey kali! harmon’s beauty 😀 http://www.harmondiscount.com/ they have a display with all the healthy display stuff. The original price is $11.99 and a four buck peel off coupon that comes off instantly when you go to the register.

      I imagine other drugstores have the same display like CVS, etc….so check around 😀 My friend Jai got this and got a $5 coupon (well not really he ripped the $5 off from another piece of PF LOL)….

  • Julianna M.

    It looks a little orange/yellowey in your swatch. Is it so in person? For example, is it darker than Laura Merciers lightest tinted moisturizer shade?

    • the Muse

      hi julianna it has quite a good deal of beige but not yellow/orange. It is darker than LM TM but not sure about the lightest shade..I believe my LM TM is in sand?

  • Phyrra

    Unfortunately, like most drugstore products, it’s way too dark for my skin. BUT I have the Physicians Formula SPF 50 healthy wear powder in Translucent Light. It’s too dark for me but how I’ve made it work for me is to put a layer of that on with my kabuki. Then I put on a layer of my Meow Pampered Puss foundation in Snow Lynx (it’s white) and it lightens it so it works with my skin. I love the SPF 50.

    I may try this moisturizer with just a dusting of the light powder and see how that goes. It would be nice to eliminate one of my steps in the morning.

    • the Muse

      hey dd this is helpful as you are super gothy pale so def helps lighter girls decide if they needs. 😀 I absolutely adore the SPF50 as you rarely see DS brands go that high when it comes to makeup and such!

  • invie

    I have this too and I love the finish. I have to say that it does have a bit of an ashy cast to it because of the titanium dioxide in it but it seems to disappear after 10-15 minutes. I have it in the darkest shade Natural to Tan…and its about equivalent to NC35-40.

    On me this has a nice glow.

    However I found the powder foundation to be quite disappointing. It ends up looking like a mask on me and the color match is hard as the colors are very very light…..The powder foundation might actually be more suited to the palest ladies out there.

    • the Muse

      invie I didn’t that hmm! I didn’t try the powder, but really wanted to.

  • Sarah

    To dark 🙁 I got a Sephora Brand tinted moisturizer for $21 and that was still a lot more for what i wanted to pay. Do you have any suggestions for a cheapish heavier coverage than this tinted moisturizer possibly?

  • kt

    hey! I was wondering if the sunscreen is mineral or chemical?

    Because my skin is sensitive to chemical ones…it burns!

    I’ve always stuck with my Shiseido spf 55 sunscreen, but this looks too good!

    • the Muse

      hmmm believe mineral kt but don’t quote me hun. shisedo is a fav of mine too!

  • Paloma

    I agree that it looked like the WP money holders! I couldn’t put my finger on what it reminded me of, but when you mentioned your thoughts with a pic, you were dead on! Ugh. I don’t like the colors, either…

  • Lillian

    I love a tinted moisturiser and the factor 50 is really drawing me in. Sadly we don’t have this brand in the UK 🙁

  • anna

    i wanted to love this sooo bad but i got the lightest shade and it was insanley dark on me!!! like at least 3 or 4 shades too dark!

  • Sarah

    I have this in the lightest shade and its too dark for me…so as not to waste it i’ve been mixing it with my oil of olay moisturizer which is spf 15…not as good as straight up 50 spf but better than nothing…i also really like the powder…the translucent is perfect for me.

  • Maggie

    I picked this up a while ago since my nearest drugstore was (and still is!) having a $3 off Physicians Formula items sale.

    I like it, except for one big problem – I got it in the lightest shade available (Ivory to Fair) and it’s still too dark for me. Luckily not by a whole lot, and once summer’s been here for a while it’ll probably match my skin pretty well, but super-pale ladies will probably be SOL with it 😛 It’s also a tiny bit oily-feeling, but not too bad. I discovered that if I mix it with my Tarte tinted moisturizer it minimizes the oiliness AND makes the color work a little better on me (plus it makes that dang $36 Tarte TM last longer!).

    • the Muse

      hey maggie 😀

      lucky enough the shade fit me just right but good idea mixin’ it up with other stuff as that’s always a good way to go when something looks off! 🙂

  • Comrade_Garlic

    I wanted this to work for me so badly. It was too dark and made me super oily, then well I had Cheeto skin. The pressed powder didn’t work for me either. It made me feel sticky.

  • Radhika

    I actually thought the packaging is so superbright and cute..didnt know about those waterproof money holders before!

  • ashleigh

    I ran out an bought this the other day. I LOVE the smell of it, is that weird? the lightest shade is still too beige for me but topped with powder and light usage it works out okay. I wish they had more shade selection

  • Steph

    I bought the Healthy Wear powder foundation in the lightest non-translucent shade available and I think paler-skinned chicks should check it out as it matched my skintone well (most “light” foundations turn out too dark for my skin). Unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend it as a base because the formula isn’t very blendable (doesn’t have enough “slip”) and applies chalky. Also, it doesn’t cover acne-related redness when layered.
    But for that kind of SPF protection, It’s fully functional as a finishing powder. The brightly colored container reminds me of a certain luxury brand that sells high-SPF products in department stores (cough *Shiseido* cough!)

    The slight tomato-powder smell might turn some ppl off though :/

  • savannah

    this works! it goes well with my skin (i’m medium) and my mom’s (she’s pale). if you get it at ulta then buy 2 get 1 free.

  • Anna

    I just picked up the Healthy Wear tinted moisturizer along with the powder yesterday. At Walmart right now, the tinted moisturizers come two to a pack for $12.99, and the spf powder comes with an spf bronzer in the same package, also for $12.99. You CAN’T beat that deal.

  • Erin

    I love this! Perfect for summer, and I love the SPF 50 for long band camp days. =]
    I got the bronzer, too, in fair. I LOVE the fact it’s so light. If you haven’t already you must try it. =]

  • Christina

    Hey I’m thinking of getting this based on the raving reviews – but Ulta.com is pricing it at $14.99. Ouch!

    Is it worth the price?

    • the Muse

      it is christina but get it in store. cvs, walgreens, etc..they always have bogo offers and sales 🙂

    • the Muse

      candy pretty combo here and this is pretty moisturizing so unsure how well it’ll work on oily skin but I think it should be a ok!

  • Candy Melville

    I have tried sooo many tinted moisturizers and shine shine shine! UGH! Hope I have found a winner here! I only use products that are NOT tested on animals!! 🙂

  • Terri

    hey muse! i was wondering if u liked this or the hard candy sheer envy one more? im trying to decide between three tinted moisturizers: the cover girl one, hard candy, or the physicians formula. can u tell me which one has the most coverage?

    • the Muse

      hi terri answered this in a few comments you left already hope it helps!

  • Terri

    Hey Muse! I was wondering if you liked this or the Hard Candy Sheer Envy one more? I’m looking for a tinted moisturizer and I want the one that has the most coverage. Which one do you recommend?

    • the Muse

      Terri if you want something that’s full coverage I’d def recommend going with foundation hun.

  • rubysbeauty

    I just bought this stuff a couple days ago and LOVE it! I only wish I would have gone a shade lighter. Why is it I always think I’m darker/tanner than I really am? I’m going to use it though, and would def repurchase.

  • Cindy

    Which shade do you guys recommend if I normally wear beige in most other foundations? I’m dying to try this.