Had I known I would have stocked up!
September 12, 2011 9:10 PM Subscribe
Much to my dismay, Clinique has discontinued my favorite Almost Makeup tinted moisturizer. I've used it every day for years and now I need a replacement.
I'm sure I could scour the internet for hoarded merchandise ($98!) and Clinique has a "gone but not forgotten" program where they'll see if they can help you find any remaining discontinued products but none of that is a sustainable solution in the long term. So I need a new product. What I liked about Almost Makeup: it's sheer but still has some coverage, it really evened out my skin tone, it's easy to apply without streakiness, it doesn't make me break out, the tube formula was easy to carry around, it matched my fair complexion (I wore the lightest shade "Fair 01"). It has a SPF but that's not super essential to me as I usually wear it over another product that has SPF already.
The chat lady at the Clinique.com site recommended I try their new Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer but is it any good? What other options are out there?
I'm sure I could scour the internet for hoarded merchandise ($98!) and Clinique has a "gone but not forgotten" program where they'll see if they can help you find any remaining discontinued products but none of that is a sustainable solution in the long term. So I need a new product. What I liked about Almost Makeup: it's sheer but still has some coverage, it really evened out my skin tone, it's easy to apply without streakiness, it doesn't make me break out, the tube formula was easy to carry around, it matched my fair complexion (I wore the lightest shade "Fair 01"). It has a SPF but that's not super essential to me as I usually wear it over another product that has SPF already.
The chat lady at the Clinique.com site recommended I try their new Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer but is it any good? What other options are out there?
Best answer: If you're looking for a comparison between the Almost Makeup and Moisture Surge, pinkiecharm did a video review awhile back on youtube. Her skin is also quite fair, and she does a great job at makeup reviews.
posted by watch out for turtles at 9:24 PM on September 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by watch out for turtles at 9:24 PM on September 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
I use Stila's tinted moisturizer and have for over a year, so I guess I like it, and it sounds like your concerns are similar to mine (evening out skin tone, doesn't cause breakouts, easy to apply). Go to Sephora and give it a shot.
posted by troublesome at 9:25 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by troublesome at 9:25 PM on September 12, 2011
I like Philosophy's tinted moisturizer but really, you're going to probably need to haunt counters for samples and testers until you find what matches your skin tone.
posted by cyndigo at 9:36 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by cyndigo at 9:36 PM on September 12, 2011
Response by poster: If you're looking for a comparison between the Almost Makeup and Moisture Surge, pinkiecharm did a video review awhile back on youtube.
That was awesome and super helpful. I cannot believe how detailed some people can be about makeup!
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:37 PM on September 12, 2011
That was awesome and super helpful. I cannot believe how detailed some people can be about makeup!
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:37 PM on September 12, 2011
The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is the modern classic for this. It looks very good on the skin, but even the oil-free was just a little too hydrating for my combo tending toward oily skin, so it didn't last very long on my face.
I've been using Tarte Smooth Operator and pretty much love it. The coverage is sheer and natural, but it's enough to really help even out my skin. No breakouts, either. I'm super pale (many makeup lines don't make a shade light enough for me) with slight yellow undertones, and I actually wear the second lightest color Agent 002. I believe Agent 000 is even a bit lighter with pink undertones.
posted by mostlymartha at 9:38 PM on September 12, 2011
I've been using Tarte Smooth Operator and pretty much love it. The coverage is sheer and natural, but it's enough to really help even out my skin. No breakouts, either. I'm super pale (many makeup lines don't make a shade light enough for me) with slight yellow undertones, and I actually wear the second lightest color Agent 002. I believe Agent 000 is even a bit lighter with pink undertones.
posted by mostlymartha at 9:38 PM on September 12, 2011
I second (third?) the reccomendation for Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - I use the oil-free on my normal to dry skin, and I love it. It's worth checking out - at least get a sample from Sephora to try.
I dislike the Tarte tinted moisturizer - it's a bit shimmery in some lighting.
posted by insectosaurus at 9:56 PM on September 12, 2011
I dislike the Tarte tinted moisturizer - it's a bit shimmery in some lighting.
posted by insectosaurus at 9:56 PM on September 12, 2011
I'm so sad! You're askme is the first I've head about the discontinuation and it's one of my favorite products.
One alternative I use sometimes is mineral powder foundation. I can't recommend a brand because I don't remember.
I'll be following this tread closely for suggestions of what to replace my favorite makeup with when my tube runs out. I've never found another liquid foundation that equals it, of course, I haven't had to try until now.
posted by dchrssyr at 10:52 PM on September 12, 2011
One alternative I use sometimes is mineral powder foundation. I can't recommend a brand because I don't remember.
I'll be following this tread closely for suggestions of what to replace my favorite makeup with when my tube runs out. I've never found another liquid foundation that equals it, of course, I haven't had to try until now.
posted by dchrssyr at 10:52 PM on September 12, 2011
I like Smashbox's tinted moisturizer. It's very lightweight, but still has decent coverage for a tinted moisturizer (more than Laura Mercier, less than Tarte's line), doesn't irritate my (very sensitive) skin at all, blends very well, and it sticks around all day. It's also pretty buildable if you do want a tiny bit more coverage, which is nice.
You might also look into beauty balms, which quite a few companies are distributing in the US now. I am a little bit in love with the Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB, which is sulfate & petrochemical free, moisturizing, a little bit luminous, and has great coverage. (Boscia also makes one, but it's a little sparkly for my taste.)
posted by ThatSomething at 11:08 PM on September 12, 2011
You might also look into beauty balms, which quite a few companies are distributing in the US now. I am a little bit in love with the Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB, which is sulfate & petrochemical free, moisturizing, a little bit luminous, and has great coverage. (Boscia also makes one, but it's a little sparkly for my taste.)
posted by ThatSomething at 11:08 PM on September 12, 2011
Chiming in for the oil-free version of the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. I have olive skin and the LM is the only makeup I've found that isn't too pink.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 11:18 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by easy, lucky, free at 11:18 PM on September 12, 2011
You said SPF doesn't matter b/c you already use another SPF product. This makes me think you're probably ok with chemical sunscreens but, just in case, know that every product mentioned above except Tarte contains chemical sunscreens, which can irritate sensitive skin. Both Tarte's Smooth Operator and Clinique's Almost Makeup contain only physical sunscreen (titanium dioxide/zinc oxide), so they're a closer match in that sense.
posted by (alice) at 12:01 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by (alice) at 12:01 AM on September 13, 2011
I second the recommendation for beauty balms, which seem to meet your needs perfectly. I've been trying out the Dr. Jart's BB mentioned above (the gold tube variety--Premium, not Water Fuse) for the past couple of weeks and LOVE it. Easy to blend (even for a lazy, slapdash sort like me), light-but-not-too-light coverage, smooth finish, looks like a million bucks, and has really surprising staying power. I was also surprised to find that the claims that most beauty balms "adjust" to your skin tone (if you are fair-ish) are actually true. I am very fair with warm-to-neutral undertones, and the BB looks in my hand like it would be too neutral-to-pink, maybe even with a touch of greyness to it, but it really is undetectable on. Just looks like you've got much nicer skin than you actually have. The sunscreen in it is mineral/physical, so it shouldn't interfere with your current sunscreen.
posted by tigerbelly at 1:11 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by tigerbelly at 1:11 AM on September 13, 2011
I mix Benefit's You Rebel (Lite tint) mixed with Aveeno moisturizer. I adjust the Aveeno (which is white) as needed.
posted by pointystick at 4:29 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by pointystick at 4:29 AM on September 13, 2011
I had a long and awful quest for a tinted moisturizer with SPF that kicked off when what I used to use started to give me eczema. All of the replacements I tried or looked at had avobenzone, which makes me break out, or bismuth, which gives me eczema.
Then I tried the Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation -- a powder foundation with SPF -- and LOVED IT. Great coverage, doesn't feel gross and heavy, lasts all day, and it makes my skin look all dewy and healthy. But... it also makes the fine lines by my eyes look like deep wrinkles after an hour or two. >_<>
I finally settled on the Tarte moisturizer linked above, with just a little bit of the Korres dusted across my nose and cheeks. The coverage on the Tarte stuff isn't so great. Sigh. Stupid imperfect cosmetics. But at least it doesn't leave my skin worse than when I started.
posted by Andrhia at 4:43 AM on September 13, 2011
Then I tried the Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation -- a powder foundation with SPF -- and LOVED IT. Great coverage, doesn't feel gross and heavy, lasts all day, and it makes my skin look all dewy and healthy. But... it also makes the fine lines by my eyes look like deep wrinkles after an hour or two. >_<>
I finally settled on the Tarte moisturizer linked above, with just a little bit of the Korres dusted across my nose and cheeks. The coverage on the Tarte stuff isn't so great. Sigh. Stupid imperfect cosmetics. But at least it doesn't leave my skin worse than when I started.
posted by Andrhia at 4:43 AM on September 13, 2011
I came in to recommend Laura Mercier as well, so, nthing that :)
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:06 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:06 AM on September 13, 2011
Another Laura Mercier fan here - i use the oil-free version every day and have for years.
posted by ukdanae at 6:09 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by ukdanae at 6:09 AM on September 13, 2011
Have you tried finding another type of clinic foundation in the same colour and mixing it with a little moisturizer.
I only have the one clinique foundation the Superbalance in Fair as its one of the few brands I can find that really matches my skin tone. If I want a lighter coverage I just mix a dab on the back of my hand with what ever moisturizer I like and make my own tinted moisturizer.
posted by wwax at 7:28 AM on September 13, 2011
I only have the one clinique foundation the Superbalance in Fair as its one of the few brands I can find that really matches my skin tone. If I want a lighter coverage I just mix a dab on the back of my hand with what ever moisturizer I like and make my own tinted moisturizer.
posted by wwax at 7:28 AM on September 13, 2011
Response by poster: I don't understand these Beauty Balms. Are they pigmented?
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:30 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:30 AM on September 13, 2011
I don't understand these Beauty Balms. Are they pigmented?
Yes! From what I understand, the beauty balms available in Asia are thicker and more pigmented, but what is available here is like a slightly more sturdy tinted moisturizer. I found the texture of the Dr. Jart's similar to Tarte's Smooth Operator, maybe a touch thicker, and with more even coverage.
posted by tigerbelly at 10:25 AM on September 13, 2011
Yes! From what I understand, the beauty balms available in Asia are thicker and more pigmented, but what is available here is like a slightly more sturdy tinted moisturizer. I found the texture of the Dr. Jart's similar to Tarte's Smooth Operator, maybe a touch thicker, and with more even coverage.
posted by tigerbelly at 10:25 AM on September 13, 2011
Oh, I just remembered I meant to mention that, similar to Andrhia with the Korres, I dust MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light over the Tarte Smooth Operator for a touch more coverage and oil control.
posted by mostlymartha at 11:46 AM on September 13, 2011
posted by mostlymartha at 11:46 AM on September 13, 2011
I also have very fair skin, and recently bought Benefit's You Rebel Lite. It feels sticky and goopy, though, so it's going to be returned. However, I also found a tube of TheBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer at TJ Maxx a few days ago and loved it. It goes on sheer without streaking, evens my complexion, has a SPF but doesn't feel like sunscreen, and is fairly cheap.
posted by marylucycraft at 6:08 PM on September 13, 2011
posted by marylucycraft at 6:08 PM on September 13, 2011
Response by poster: I checked out the new Clinique stuff and didn't think the color worked for me. The lightest shade was too yellow and the second shade was too dark. Plus, I was annoyed to find (as pointed out in the review video above) that the new version has about 25% less product in it.
So I just bought the Laura Mercier (original formula). I've heard so many good things about it, I had to try it out and the lady at Sephora says it's their most popular tinted moisturizer and the lightest shade seems to work for me. We'll see after a couple days if I still like it but for now, it's the winner.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:30 PM on September 17, 2011
So I just bought the Laura Mercier (original formula). I've heard so many good things about it, I had to try it out and the lady at Sephora says it's their most popular tinted moisturizer and the lightest shade seems to work for me. We'll see after a couple days if I still like it but for now, it's the winner.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:30 PM on September 17, 2011
Response by poster: Back again for another update. I don't really like the Laura Mercier stuff. The consistency is kind of weird and I think it's been making me break out.
I ended up getting a tester of the new Clinique stuff (Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer) from the nice lady at the counter and though the color is slightly off, I do like it better. If wears better and feels nice on my skin. And I think it's less acnegenic too. I'm still annoyed that it's less product volume for more money but Clinique appears to have won me as a lifetime customer.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 12:41 PM on December 20, 2011
I ended up getting a tester of the new Clinique stuff (Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer) from the nice lady at the counter and though the color is slightly off, I do like it better. If wears better and feels nice on my skin. And I think it's less acnegenic too. I'm still annoyed that it's less product volume for more money but Clinique appears to have won me as a lifetime customer.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 12:41 PM on December 20, 2011
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posted by thisjax at 9:18 PM on September 12, 2011 [5 favorites]