February 10, 2016

This is the Year of the Tinted Moisturizer (I Think)!

tinted moisturizer trend

Remember a few years ago, ok, maybe it wasn’t a few years ago, more like a decade ago when I first started Musings of a Muse and tinted moisturizer was all the rage?! It seemed like every brand was trying to recapture the success of Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.

Ahhh…those were the days.

Contouring has dominated the beauty circuit for a year now and I must say I’m over it. I want a new trend so I’m dubbing this the year of the tinted moisturizer!

I have hopes that maybe just maybe we’ll see a tinted moisturizer trend come through for Summer. I was just reviewing the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector and I really loved the formula. It reminded me how much I loved tinted moisturizers as I’ve been using fluid foundations or BB Creams so much lately my TMs got pushed to the side.

So…what do you think?

Will this be the year of the tinted moisturizer?

Or at the very least the season of the tinted moisturizer?

Do you like tinted moisturizer formulas?

Or are they too sheer for you?

Do share your favorites!

28 Comments

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

  • Justin

    My favourite tinted moisturiser is Chantecaille Just Skin…..and Nars is a close tie

  • Yasmine

    I absolutely agree am so excited for this trend too! I’m also curious about whether you’ll be trying and reviewing the new Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint. From what I gather, it’s like their Tinted Moisturizer but with bit more coverage? Sounds interesting.

    • Isabella Muse

      I will!:) I heard great things about it so def will review Yasmine 😀

  • Rachel

    Sadly, I strongly dislike TMs, and lightweight coverage foundations in general. TMs and lighter coverage formulas make me look “unfinished” as if I ‘forgot’ to apply base products and just went straight for colour! Maybe it has to do with my ultra pale, oily skin?

    • Kathia

      I totally agre!!! Unfinished sums it up perfectly. I don’t think it has to do with your skin color. I’m olive but I feel the same way with only TM on my skin. Maybe it’s our perception? My skin isn’t bad but in full face everyday. I may use a TM as primer especially to offset a lighter/darker foundation but on its own (except for it cosmetics bc they call themselves a TM but it’s a solid medium coverage) they will never be enough. If I’m putting makeup on, I’m all in.

  • VailValleyGirl

    Muse,
    I just got off the slopes and home.
    This topic is near and dear to my heart. I could go on and on…
    I have used several tinted moisturizers from lower end to high end. My biggest issue to having a high SPF, above 30. The higher, the better. From the city to the slopes, my fair skin needs all the protection that it can get. SERIOUSLY. Depending on how bad the sun is that day I apply sunscreen over my tinted moisturizer regularly on the slopes. Spring is the worst for sunburn.
    Several tinted moisturizers will turn to powder on my burned skin, making my pores look huge.
    For budget, I love Aveeno.
    Neutrogena smells to suncreenie.
    Clinique is over rated. I just get it. Not enough coverage.
    Tarte was my go-to brand. However, I just couldn’t get the right color. It always looked strange on my fair skin. I did love the texture.
    Ulta brand formula is just weird. It is too light. The color never gets it right on my skin.
    I love my Bobbi Brown and Philosophy tinted moisturizers.
    Stila has never done much for me. Not much coverage and not the high SPF. Same for Nars and Smashbox.

    Hopping off of my soapbox…er sunscreen box…

    • Isabella Muse

      Ugh my jealousy knows no bounds. Was it lovely? 🙂 I want to go skiing! I really hate that TMs always skim on the SPF, typically it’s like 20 sometimes 30 at best and that’s just so damn low for me.

      • VailValleyGirl

        Muse,
        Yes, it was lovely. I skied near Vail, Colorado, hence my name!
        Any suggestions for sunscreen and a little coverage? To me BB, CC and tinted moisturizers are all the same. I know that technically, they are not. I just need sunscreen, a little coverage and some moisture. The first two are key. I wouldn’t mind more coverage. Nothing a little Benefit Erase Paste won’t fix.
        Oh, and, for the record, I don’t burn that much…but, when I do, it is RED. As in Rudolph The Red Nose Raindeer RED. With the wrong tinted moisturizer, my nose looks paint chipping off of a house. NOT PRETTY.

        • Isabella Muse

          ugh so jealous 🙂 God’s country! Have you tried Clinique’s CC or BB Cream? Lightweight, SPF, and quite moist 🙂 Oh nooo! Lately I seem to burn easily for some reason 🙁

  • Bailey

    My favorite is pictured in your post – the Tarte BB tinted moisturizer/primer! I’ve never used it as a primer under other foundation but it’s the best tinted moisturizer for me! I have insanely oily skin yet it keeps me shine free more than most foundations and it has SPF 30 yet no harsh chemicals or mask feeling.

  • Cindy

    Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturizer – that’s my foundation all summer!

  • Andrew

    I used to love tinted moisturizer, especially Stila’s, but then I got a bit of advice from Wayne Goss that changed my opinion. According to him since the moisturizer is meant to be absorbed into the skin, the pigments from the tint will clog pores and cause skin problems worse than conventional foundation, since foundation is formulated to just sit on top of skin (especially if you use primer first). Since then I’ve steered clear.

    • Fallulah

      I watched that Goss video and it makes a LOT of sense! I used to love Tinted Moisturizers back in the day but for one reason or another I now use tons of skincare underneath a lightweight foundation.

  • Cyncini

    Algenist repairing tint & radiance moisturizer is my love love. I also like Josie Marin’s tinted moisturizer.

  • Christina D

    I love tinted moisturizers particularly sinceI don’t wear foundation. I always moisturize, and I find all I need is that little bit of extra color and smoothness. However, I have tried several and have yet to find one that I like well enough to repurchase. The hunt continues!

  • Lee-Anne

    Chanel Les Bieges is one of my faves but I tend to only wear tinted moisturiser only on holidays. Usually too sheer for me generally – although I do sometimes wear under foundation.

  • VailValleyGirl

    My comments did not post.
    I love tinted moisturizers. The higher the SPF, the better.
    I have tried several from drug store brands to higher end.
    Bobbi Brown and Philosophy are my favs now.
    Aveeno is my favorite budget brand.
    Stila, Clinique, Smashbox and Tarte don’t work for me. I have had problems with them being too powdery after setting. Especially on sunburned skin from skiing. I can never get the get the right color from Tarte on my skin.

  • Len

    Muse! I have to tell you I just love the Essence Pure Nude Makeup you reviewed. Its light coverage and tinted moisturizer-like BUT I do have oily skin so I love that the Essence foundation isn’t dewy or wet feeling like a tinted moisturizer can be. I love the pump and its just goes on so nicely and doesn’t make my skin look tired from wearing foundation all day it keeps my skin looking fresh. And for 5 bucks! YASSS! LOVE IT! I always trust your reviews even though you have dry skin.

    • Isabella Muse

      YAY! I loved it too Len happy to hear it worked for you too 😀 I thought it was fab and cheap too! 😀 Enjoy dear! and thank you, that’s an incredible compliment when someone trusts in me 🙂

  • amy

    I don’t think TM’s are be a real trend, but I do believe we’re going to start pulling away from the flat, matte, full-coverage foundation, and opt for healthy, dewy, luminous “skin-like” finishes. The whole heavy overdone look is going to give way to more natural looks, and strobing will definitely rise, contouring will be softer, and faux lashes & winged liner will take a break. It seems a lot of YouTuber’s will either have to learn new techniques/looks, or get real jobs, LOL!

  • Heidi

    I love tinted moisturizer, but they’re tricky. Some don’t make a shade pale enough for my skin, and I’m not the palest person ever, but fairly light, or they easily turn orange on me. I’m still more into BB creams, though, and they’re mainly jacked-up tinted moisturizers. Oddly, the one I like best is the Rimmel radiance one, and I’m normally not a fan of many Rimmel products. But that one matches my skin so well and doesn’t turn orange. Hopefully they never discontinue!

  • Iris

    I like the idea of a tinted moisturiser. I would like them even more if they had sunscreen (Canada’s rarely do), as using both would be too heavy for me.

  • Jasmine

    I have been loving Jouer’s Matte Moisture tint for a few years now and haven’t looked back. BUT, the NARS TM looked so nice, but living in Florida and having oily skin – it just didn’t work out. However, I have been combining Jouer’s MM Tint and NARS and it’s great for my winter skin tone and just the right amount of matte and moisturizing. I am very excited to hear what you think of the new NARS one though!

  • Paula

    I really like the stila and tarte ones, I have very dry skin, and they help a lot.. What I like about them is that they are sheer, so I can have the moisturizing action with just a bit of coverage.

  • Deanne

    It seems the formula for tinted moisturizers have improved! I’ve been more skincare benefits in TMs. Kinda makes them more similar to BBs I guess? I have been going back and forth trying to decide whether to get Bobbi Brown BB Cream or the NARS Radiant TM, which one would you recommend? I’ve got a really oily t-zone and some redness on cheeks, so I could use buildable (maybe medium?) coverage. I’ve read NARS TM has more coverage than MAC Lightful C or Laura Mercier TM… thought it might have similar coverage to Bobbi’s BB cream instead.