sunscreen

Review: Cosmedix Reflect SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen Spray

By Voxy  |  2010/08/04 07:00 Posted in Product Reviews, Skincare, sunscreen  |  Comments (7)

What? A sunscreen that Voxy actually likes? Can’t be.

No, seriously, it’s true. (Actually, there have been a couple I’ve been liking lately. Someone better check the alignment of the planets, because this is very suspicious.)

The Reflect sunscreen spray is part of my general love affair with the Cosmedix line. Everyone should be wearing sunscreen, but this goes double — triple — for anyone who’s also using Retin-A, a retinol product, hydroquinone, or AHAs. These products increase your skin’s photosensitivity so it’s even more important that you slather on the SPF. The problem is that so much of the time, slathering on the SPF is so unpleasant that it almost guarantees noncompliance. (I am not immune to that either; I’ve been searching for a sunscreen that I didn’t resent wearing every day.)

I’m so happy that Reflect is a sunscreen that is actually a pleasure to wear. (See? Go check the planets, right now.)

Reflect uses micronized titanium dioxide to provide broad-spectrum UV protection, and manages to do it without that terrible Edward Cullen ghostly white cast that titanium dioxide sometimes evokes. Because this is a physical sunscreen, not a chemical one, you can put it on at the end of your moisturizing routine, before you apply makeup. It also contains antioxidants, which is a nice bonus.

It comes in a spray bottle, and in theory you could hold the bottle in front of your face, with your eyes squeezed shut, and spritz away. In practicality, however, the spray mechanism does not produce very fine droplets, so you will look like someone flicked a paintbrush covered in white paint in your general direction. If it didn’t extend to getting on clothes, I wouldn’t care so much, but at this price point you really don’t want to waste any. Instead, squirt two or three spritzes at a time into your hand, and apply with fingers. You can pat the remainder into your skin with your palm. Don’t be afraid of the white color; it melts into colorlessness a few seconds after application.

What I love about this is that you can apply it over moisturizer and it’s imperceptible under makeup. This is unusual. And — O frabjous day! — it doesn’t make me break out. Now, there are some drawbacks: it’s not waterproof, so you would need to reapply after any swimmy activities. If I were planning a day out in the sun doing summery outside things, this isn’t the sunscreen I’d turn to — I’d probably use the Neutrogena liquid sunblock. This is partially because the Neutrogena is more tenacious under extreme conditions like sweating glowing and swimming, and partially because the Reflect is too expensive to use in a situation where you would need to reapply it frequently. It’s a fabulous sunscreen for handling daily exposure in small amounts, but if you’re planning any extended activities in the sun, I’d go with something more powerful and cheaper.

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Cosmedix Reflect SPF 30 sunscreen spray: $44. Available in-store at some spas, or order online at DermStore, Skinstore, etc. (Cosmedix does not sell directly from their website.)

Provenance: Purchased

Price/Value Ratio (high-end: poor/fair/good/excellent): Fair. I mean, come on, $42 for a sunscreen? But I actually use it (without complaining), so evidently it’s worth it for me.

Purchase again? Yes, but only on sale.

(Have you used this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it? Give a holler in the comments!)

Review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 55

By Voxy  |  2010/07/16 07:00 Posted in Product Reviews, Skincare, sunscreen  |  Comments (1)

I mentioned this product in the course of my woe-is-me post about heat exhaustion at graduation, but I realized I never gave it a proper review. Since there’s still quite a bit of summer left, I thought I should remedy that.

You all know that I’ve never been a fan of Neutrogena sunscreens. They’ve either had a greasy texture, or caused breakouts, or looked at me funny, all of which are dealbreakers. But I am also a sucker for a new product, and the idea of a liquid sunblock that was actually imperceptible (or almost) under makeup made me get my Don Quixote on and venture forth with lance in hand to fight yet another windmill. Which is to say, I went to Target and bought some. (The other way is just so much more dramatic.)

Neutrogena makes this in SPF 55 and SPF 70. I bought the SPF 55, figuring that if I did turn out to be sensitive to the sunscreen, then having less of it in the product might reduce irritation or breakouts, and since there isn’t compelling evidence that sunscreen numbers over 50 provide a comparably significant uptick in protection, I decided it wasn’t worth the (possible) risk. The active sunscreen ingredient here is Helioplex, which is Neutrogena’s trademarked name for a combination of oxybenzone and avobenzone. It does provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, but these are both chemical sunscreens, so if you’re looking for a physical sunscreen (titanium oxide, zinc oxide), this is not it.

The marketing gimmick of this particular product is that you can wear it over moisturizer and it will be virtually undetectable to either sight or touch under makeup. And it is! I was very impressed. It really is a liquid — and I’m mentioning that only because in spite of the fact that it’s clearly stated on the label, I’m so used to sunscreens in a lotion or cream that I’m still a tiny bit surprised that it’s the consistency and color of whole milk. It goes on extremely smoothly and is, exactly as advertised, almost imperceptible under makeup. Yes, if you’re really paying attention, you can feel a small difference in your skin after application. But it’s tons better than almost any other sunscreen I’ve used, and certainly better than any other Neutrogena sunscreen I’ve used. (I have another sunscreen review coming up that is even smoother than the Neutrogena, but it’s also almost 4x its price.)

I’ve worn this several times since my Extreme Graduation adventure, and it’s always performed excellently. It is not quite sweatproof (no sunscreen really is), but it’s very tenacious and hangs on well in heat and humidity. I didn’t have any irritation, itching, or breakouts. I was careful to wash it off when I was done with outside stuff for the day, though, so I didn’t let it sit on my skin for longer than necessary.

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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 55: $11.99

Provenance: Purchased.

Price/Value Ratio (drugstore: poor/fair/good/excellent): Excellent. You can get sunscreens for less, but they don’t perform like this one.

Purchase again? Surprisingly, yes. And that’s the first time I’ve said that about a Neutrogena sunscreen.

(Have you used this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it? Give a shout-out in the comments!)

Review: Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream For Face, SPF 36

By Voxy  |  2010/06/11 20:08 Posted in Product Reviews, sunscreen  |  Comments (3)

Pop quiz!

Which of the following things is true of this product?

A. It has a smooth, creamy texture, is very moisturizing, and wears well
under makeup
B. It has a non-irritating broad-spectrum sunscreen containing octinoxate
and zinc oxide
C. It is marketed as being “very water-resistant” and perspiration-
resistant
D. It smells like someone set off a dirty bomb made of home perm kits
in your bathroom
E. All of the above

Bonus essay question: In 500 words or less, explain why Shiseido thought it would be a good idea not to put the expiration date of the sunscreen on either the tube or the box. No, seriously. I’d like to know.

The company has recently changed its formulation so that the SPF is 38, so that’s the product I’ve linked to below. I have no word on any comorbid change of scent.

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Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream For Face, SPF 38: $30 at Nordstrom’s

Provenance: Purchased (not at Nordstrom’s)

Price/Value Ratio (high-end: poor/fair/good/excellent): Fair.

Purchase again? Yes, along with a bag of clothespins for my nose. I really hope the SPF 38 version is unscented; the stuff really does stink to high heaven.

(Have you used this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it? Give a holler in the comments!)

Monday Mix: The Ultimate Sunscreen/Makeup Road Test, and Sales!

By Voxy  |  2010/05/24 13:50 Posted in Product Reviews, sale, sunscreen  |  Comments (3)

Sarah_Grad_2009_211_17 by nsaplayer.Ah, there’s nothing like Commencement — the strains of Pomp and Circumstance, the stirring speeches by inspiring people, and oh yeah, the three hours in the blazing early afternoon sun in 90º weather with high humidity, dressed in layers of black cloth and velvet, scrunched next to each other like hot sardines, with no shade anywhere in sight, and with one 12-oz. bottle of warm water apiece. This year I got heat exhaustion from Commencement. I am not kidding. I was ill for the rest of the day and could not regulate my body temperature until somewhere around midnight. If you have never had heat exhaustion, let me tell you that it is seriously unpleasant.

However, although my body was overtaxed and stressed, I’m pleased to say that my makeup and sunscreen hung in there. I had been wondering how some of these products would perform in extreme conditions, and I’m happy to report that they did a darned good job overall.

This was the first time I’d tested the Neutrogena Liquid Sunscreen, and I don’t have a single red/burned spot on my face. Not bad for three hours in the constant sun. It held up very well, and it was indeed almost imperceptible after application. For the body I am using up one of my facial sunscreens that I don’t like on the face (Kinerase Daily Defense Lotion SPF 30), and that worked well too. All in all I escaped without any sunburn-related redness. (I was worried when I saw my arms and legs turning pink, but it turned out that was just my muscles and internal organs cooking. Whew!)

Instead of a tinted moisturizer I decided to go with my regular MAC Mineralize Skinfinish cream foundation (SPF 15). Actually, “decided” is the wrong word. “Reached for without thinking” would have been more accurate. I set it with MUFE HD powder, as always, and used Too Faced Primed & Poreless facial primer, Shadow Insurance eye primer, and Lip Insurance lip primer underneath. (Review of that last one coming soon.) The combination did a remarkably good job of keeping me in the “dewy” category rather than “rivers of sweat pouring down my face.” Yes, I did “glow” a little, but it was much better than it might have been. My eyeshadow (Urban Decay and Clinique, applied over MAC Paint Pot in Painterly) lasted beautifully in the heat and my Tarte cheek stain in Berrylicious did a pretty good job too. Lips were a lost cause; my lipstick just melted. All told, though, it could have been a lot worse.

Sales!

Just a couple, but they might be up your alley:

Smashbox is having a F&F sale through 5/28! 20% off your purchase with code FF2010.

Sephora is having a 10% off sale for VIBs through 6/7 with code V436CB.

… and don’t forget that the Hourglass sale (35% off!) is still going on through 5/31 with code LUCKYBREAKS2.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nsaplayer/3596478415/

Monday Mix: Putting Rejected Sunscreens to Good Use; Sales

By Voxy  |  2010/05/10 07:00 Posted in sale, sunscreen  |  Comments (3)

I’m sure you’re all having a hard time getting going today after the traditional Mother’s Day wild partying and accompanying hangovers, so I’ll try not to type too loudly. I’m hoping to hit the stores today for the post-holiday half-price bad floral arrangements and sappy greeting cards. Score!

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and so if you haven’t been as diligent with sunscreen as you’d like, this month you’ll be seeing plenty of encouragement to start. (For one, the Sephora Collection Sun Safety Kit has just come out — it’s a sampler of 12 sunscreen products plus two UV-detection cards and a makeup bag, all for $25.)

My own effort to increase my sunscreen diligence is as follows: I’m taking my rejected facial sunscreens and keeping them in a basket near the door so I can apply on my neck, chest, and arms before I get in the car. Car windows do not protect against all UV damage, and the fact that my left arm has significantly more little brown spots on it than my right one does is evidence of that. I might not have liked those products as facial sunscreens, but they’re fine on the body, and I’d rather use them up before they expire rather than go out and buy more.

Sales!

Cake Beauty is having a F&F sale with 40% off (!) all purchases, through 5/14. Enter code FRIENDS at checkout.

Hourglass is still having their F&F 35% off sale through 5/31 with code LUCKYBREAKS2.

Julie Hewett has 20% off thorugh 5/15 with code SPRING20.

HauteLook has Rodial skincare today (5/10) and GoSMILE tomorrow 5/11. All sales begin at 11 am Eastern/8 am Pacific.

UPDATE: Shu Uemura is offering 20% off on purchases of $50 and over from 5/10-5/14 with code HAPPY. You will also get free shipping.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pleeker/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Review: Hard Candy Sheer Envy Tinted Moisturizer

By Voxy  |  2010/05/04 07:00 Posted in Product Reviews, foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen  |  Comments (1)

Part of the ongoing Foxalicious Fundamentals: Foundation series!

I don’t understand why the people who make $40 tinted moisturizers can’t do as well as this one, which costs $8 at Wal-Mart. (And if you are anti-Wally, you are out of luck, because they have the exclusive in-store distribution rights to Hard Candy products, at least for now. You can get some things via Amazon or eBay, though.)

It’s too early to say whether this is my Holy Grail of tinted moisturizers (I suspect not, because the choir of angels singing its praises is just slightly off-key), but it is better than all the other ones I’ve tried. The only contender is my Sue Devitt TM, which outshines this in terms of both coverage and finish but which isn’t moisturizing enough. I’m still saving that one for the hot swampy days of July. Still, let us not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. Of all of this year’s tested products to date, this is the best tinted moisturizer overall.

Hard Candy is an uneven line, with some really excellent products (especially for a drugstore line) and then some odd misses. You will have to get over the fact that some of the products look like they are designed for eleven-year-old girls who are just moving out of the “Hello Kitty” phase. However, the Sheer Envy tinted moisturizer is generally a hit for grownups as well as eleven-year-olds (and if you are wearing foundation at age eleven, STOP IT NOW). It has good coverage, a reasonably nice finish, and SPF 15 that doesn’t break me out (hence the choir of angels). It only comes in six shades, though, and I’m not sure how forgiving they are. This one, which is “light” (#2 of the six), was the only one that was pink enough for me to wear, so if you have more yellow tones in your skin than I do, you will probably do well. If you are pinker than I am, it might be difficult; this turns pretty neutral on me but might look sallow on anyone pinker than me.

I’ve tried this both alone and over primer, and I do find that its finish is better over primer. I also set it with HD silica powder; without setting powder it dries to a finish that is a little too shiny for me. The final finish is smooth but not as velvety or dewy as my cream foundation. It lasts all day without peeling or flaking, which sets it ahead of some of the other products I’ve tried, and it’s easy to remove. Here’s an odd thing: it does tend to cling more to my eyebrows than other foundations — that is, when I’m applying it to the forehead, if I get it on my brows I really notice it (particularly on the colorless hairs around the dark brow hairs), whereas if the same thing has been happening with other products, I haven’t picked up on it. That was a little weird, because it was hard to get the product *off* of my brow hairs without also removing it from the neighboring skin.

Right now this is definitely the leader in the tinted-moisturizer-for-summer category. I still wouldn’t wear it as foundation for a chi-chi-frou-frou event, but for most casual summer living it will do just fine.

Swatch!

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Hard Candy Sheer Envy Tinted Moisturizer: $8 at Wal-Mart

Provenance: Purchased

Price/Value Ratio (drugstore: poor/fair/good/excellent): Excellent! How often do I get to say that?! Not very.

Purchase again? Hello Kitty says Yes.

(Have you used this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it? Let us know in the comments!)

Monday Mix: Voxy vs. Neutrogena, and Sales!

By Voxy  |  2010/04/26 07:00 Posted in lemming, sale, sunscreen  |  Comments (6)

You all know that old chestnut about the definition of insanity being doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, right? (Well, you do now.)

There is overwhelming evidence — anecdotal, admittedly, but that’s pretty much the best kind in this instance — that I do not like Neutrogena facial sunscreens. I am aware that this opinion pits me against much of the civilized world. Yet I have tried most of them, and they almost invariably irritate my skin, cause breakouts, or leave my face with a nasty texture. There is no reasonable doubt left in this case. I do not like them, Sam I Am.

So pls to explain to me why my little voxalicious heart has gone all pitter-pat over the idea of Neutrogena’s new Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock (SPF 55 or 70)? It’s the word “liquid” in there, I think — the idea that I would not have to give up my regular (non-SPF) moisturizers that I love and still get SPF protection. The idea that you only need a couple of drops, that it goes on top of moisturizer and before makeup, and that early reviews say that it has a “barely-there” texture that doesn’t interfere with makeup application. Dare I hope?

Can anyone kill this lemming?

Sales!

Stila is offering 20% off sitewide with code STILASHOPPER. Expiration date unknown on this one at present.

Tarte is still offering 20% off sitewide through 4/30 with code TARTE44.

Vincent Longo is offering 30% off through 4/30 with code VFLIRT.

C.O. Bigelow is offering 20% off through 5/10 with code MOMSDAY. (Recommended: anything lemon, but in particular the Lemon Body Cream or Hand Soap; I see they have some new products out with lime in them and if they are anywhere near as good as the lemon then I will have to start stalking them.)

HauteLook happens to have several brands of interest to this blog on sale this week: Mario Badescu skincare on Monday, LORAC beauty and RapidLash on Tuesday, and 100% Pure beauty/skincare on Wednesday. All sales begin at 11 am Eastern/8 am Pacific.

And, Hourglass still has 35% off through 5/31 with code LUCKYBREAKS2.

Review: Urban Decay Guardian Angel Spray Moisturizer SPF 8

By Voxy  |  2010/04/24 07:00 Posted in Product Reviews, Skincare, moisturizer, sunscreen  |  Comments (2)

OK, so let’s get this out of the way right up front — if my guardian angel can only protect me at the level of SPF 8, then I have a 90-pound weakling for a guardian angel. SPF 8 is the equivalent of “protects against paper cuts, overcooked food, smelly shoes, and schoolyard playground insults.” Is there some sort of celestial Navy SEAL training I can send my angel to?

So just forget that this product has any SPF in it at all. If you actually get any sun protection from it, consider it a bonus — don’t count on it for your primary sunscreen. That said (and in spite of the criticism I am about to unleash), I really like this product. I’ve been looking for a light spray moisturizer to replace the old Wexler product I finally finished, and I think this one is a keeper.

Since my skin is dry, I always use this in conjunction with other products, so I don’t know how well it would stand up on its own. UD’s marketing language sez: “Time-release technology hydrates your skin up to 24 hours as the hygroscopic formula miraculously attracts moisture to your skin, yet always feels weightless.” First, I hope that “miraculously” is a play on the whole “angel” business, but the cynical part of me (which is, let’s face it, pretty much all of me) says it’s probably just a happy coincidence of pomp and circumstance. Something that is hygroscopic by definition attracts moisture, so I’m not really getting the whole “miracle” thing, unless we’re talking about the everyday miracles of the sun rising in the East every morning, gravity pulling objects down towards the Earth, or a parking spot opening up right in front of Einstein Bros. Bagels just as you pull into the lot. Divine intervention, surely. You were meant to have that egg bagel with cream cheese and bacon. Also, the phrase “up to 24 hours” could, in point of fact, mean five minutes. However, it performs at least as well as other moisturizing serums I’ve used in terms of prepping the skin for other products. I don’t notice any huge improvement in end-of-the-day dryness, but it isn’t any worse either, so all in all it seems to be doing an OK job.

Here’s where this falls in my routine: cleanser, toner, this product, AHA, other moisturizer, makeup and sunscreen. The product is slightly milky-white in color, but leaves no white traces on skin. It absorbs quickly and completely. If your skin is not dry and you are looking for a light summer moisturizer, this might be a good stand-alone product for you; if your skin is dry and you are going to use this in combination with other moisturizers anyway, this is a good companion product to go underneath your other products. My skin reacts negatively (read: “throws a hissy-fit”) to most sunscreens, so the fact that it doesn’t react badly to this is a good sign.

Definitely a paws-up on this one!

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Urban Decay Guardian Angel Spray Moisturizer SPF 8: $26.00

Provenance: Purchased

Price/Value Ratio (high-end: poor/fair/good/excellent): Good.

Purchase again? Yes, unless interrupted by the Rapture.

(Have you used this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it? Give a holler in the comments!)

How to Save Your Life and Look Younger Too

By Inthelab  |  2009/11/01 07:01 Posted in Skincare, Uncategorized, sunscreen  |  Comments (1)

Think the title is a bit over-the-top? Trust me, it’s not.

I just received an e-mail from my youngest brother. His father-in-law (FIL), a mere 12 years older than I am, just passed away. My brother’s FIL died from malignant melanoma complicated by rank ignorance.

Seven years ago, my brother’s FIL came from Israel to Los Angeles to a family affair. A family member noted a suspicious mole on the back of his shoulder (how many of us look at the backs of our shoulders, hmm?). He waved away her concern, muttering “It’s nothing.” Fast-forward to last year. FIL goes into hospital for a heart problem and the mole gets noticed, diagnosed, and pronounced: advanced melanoma. As I write this, my brother and sister-in-law are making flight, hotel, and child care arrangements for what’s sure to be a sad and painful next few days.

What’s to be learned from this? Well, I can tell you that my SIL gets her full-body check by a dermatologist 4 times a year. That’s because she had a family member with melanoma, which puts her at a higher risk than most of us. But the rest of us: we need to be checked at least once a year. The dermatologist will look at the backs of your shoulders, between your toes, through the hairs of your scalp, and a bunch more pesky places you can’t or won’t check yourself. If your insurance co-pay or reimbursement is an issue, consider it this way: the full cost of an appointment is about the same as dinner for 2 in the expensive part of the country where I live. Is giving up 1 dinner a year not worth potentially saving your life?

As for looking younger, that’s easy: sunblock. Every day. I am certain FIL never used sunblock and he lived in Israel. I know he never sunbathed (being a rabbi and the kind of rabbi he is, he would not go to a beach, he just would not) but that’s the very devil with melanoma: it can appear on part of you away from exposure to the sun if you make sun exposure a habit (don’t make me rant write about the evils of tanning salons; you can figure it out). Which is why your daytime moisturizer should be a sunblock. A sunblock with at least SPF15, that fits your skin type.

Suggestions according to skin type follow (disclaimer: all sunblocks were bought by yours truly; and yes, I’m on a mission about melanoma because I had a borderline case of it myself 8 years ago: my body looks like a map of the interstate system from the scars).

Normal to Oily skin
Clinique’s City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF25 is the sunblock of choice for my daughters. Not too greasy, yet with just enough moisturizing properties to compensate for their regimens (if you have oilier skin and use a drying regimen, you’ll want some kind of oil-free moisturizer anyway).

Dry to Very Dry Skin
I like 2 products, and use both (not at the same time, but buying them as I find them). The first one is Person & Covey’s DML SPF25. This line is easier to find on the West Coast, but the website Person and Covey has a way to order directly, and other sites such as Skinwest carry it as well. If you call Person and Covey, you can get some free samples to try before you buy. The second product is relatively new from an old friend, Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream SPF50. Maybe it’s a bit of overkill for everyday in the northeast and midwest, but if you live in sunnier climes, it’s perfect. I’m using it now because I’m a fan of the entire 8 Hour line. I have dry skin, and find both of these to be moist enough that I don’t need a supplementary moisturizer underneath. YMMV, of course.

Really and truly, staying out of the sun or using wise sun protection (hats and clothing help too) will help you look younger, prevent wrinkles, avert many skin problems. If you hate the pale-faced look, well that’s why bronzer and spray-tans were invented. I’m on a mission to get people to wear sunblock and have their skin checked yearly. Do it for vanity’s sake if not for any other reason.

Review: Almay Smart Shade Makeup — Foundation and Blush

By Voxy  |  2009/10/22 07:30 Posted in Makeup, Product Reviews, blush, foundation, rosacea, skeptic, steal, sunscreen  |  Comments (4)

almay_smart_shadeThis is one of the products that I purchased as a result of my lost weekend drugstore testing spree at ULTA. I’d seen this and similar products (Revlon’s Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup) advertised on TV, but was very much a skeptic. The ads claimed that the product, which comes out of the tube more-or-less white, will self-adjust to match your own skin tone perfectly.

Pah, I thought. Piffle. Baloney. Hogwash.

As it turns out, I was more wrong than Bjørk’s swan outfit, more wrong than Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, more wrong than Temptation Island.

Which is, if you think about it, a really staggering amount of wrong.

I wouldn’t have bought it without the opportunity to test, but I gladly (and, I admit it, cockily) squeezed some out onto the back of my hand, scoffing at its chalky whiteness, and knowing that it would never, ever, manage to blend into my … wait a minute. Where did it go?

Well, that couldn’t be right. It must be the funny light in here. Let’s try again.

Again: same results. Astonishingly, the makeup really did blend right into my hand. So I tried it on the inside of my arm, where the skin was lighter, and it blended in there too. When I lowered my arm and brought it back up again, I absolutely could not tell where I’d applied the product.

It performs equally fabulously on my face, which is good, since that’s where it’s designed to go. The product comes in three shades: light, light/medium, and medium. (I don’t know what to tell you darker-skinned folks — is Almay’s “medium” actually a shade that would work for darker skin, or is it really just another version of “light”? An evaluation from someone looking for a foundation for darker skin would be welcome!) I’m quite fair-skinned, so I chose the light shade and was very pleased. Even better than its ability to match my skin color almost perfectly (it is a *tiny* bit more yellow than my actual skin tone, but no one besides me would notice) is that it contains, wonder of wonders, an SPF 15 sunscreen that does not irritate my skin. This is basically unheard of. So even if it ended up being just a tinted sunscreen, rather than a foundation, it would be worth the cost, and more. Fortunately, it is a fabulous foundation. It leaves the skin with a lovely, velvety texture; lasts all day; and does not budge. It also does not clog pores, which was a real concern for me. Sometimes I apply only this; sometimes I apply this with a dusting of mineral foundation powder on top, and sometimes I precede the application of this product with Dr. Brandt’s Pores No More. The combination produces a fantastic finish. almay_smart_shade_blush

Because the foundation was made of win, I went ahead and bought the blushes, too, with which I’m equally pleased. They come in three tints: pink, natural, and berry, all of which are very natural. My skin is very fair and I can get away with wearing a sheer application of any of the three, but the color can also be easily layered for greater intensity or for those with darker skin. It produces a dewy finish and the color is extremely long-lasting: 12 hours or more with very little fading. The line also includes a concealer, which I’m eager to try, and a bronzer, which isn’t really my thing, as when I wear bronzer I don’t turn into a person with a healthy glow, but instead look simply like a pale-skinned person with a dirty face.

Really, I couldn’t be happier with these products and they rate up there among my top purchases of the year. I did test the Revlon Beyond Natural product as well, but didn’t like its consistency as much as the Almay.

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Almay Smart Shade Makeup and Blush

Provenance: Purchased

Price/Value Ratio (drugstore: poor/fair/good/excellent): excellent

Purchase again? Absolutely. Highest recommendation.