My face is getting so dry that my daily swipe of powder only is starting to look a little flakey. I can't seem to find a moisturizer with spf that actually does a good job moisturizing (at least not for my dry skin), so I decided to try a few tinted moisturizers and skip the powder. I like the result so far. I still use powder at night or in the evenings and just put a good moisturizer (no spf) underneath but during the day I need something with spf.
I've tried: Stila Illuminating Moisturizer with spf, Stila Tinted Moisturizer with spf, and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with spf.
The Illuminating and the Laura Mercier are way to heavy for everyday wear for me. I don't like the feel of anything on my face, and they definitely have a clammy kind of feel to them without powder (or something) over them. The Stila Tinted Moisturizer is pretty much perfect, but it's a pretty small container for $28. I'd go through it pretty quickly.
Any thoughts on something else that might work? I'm open to pretty much anything, although cost is definitely a factor. I'll buy the Stila one if I have to, but I'd prefer to find a drugstore version or a higher-end version that is a bigger bottle. Any suggestions?
How much do you think you would really be using each day? I have the Stila t.m. and it has lasted a long time, definately more than 3 months. I dont wear it everyday however, and I probably only use about a pea-sized to dime-sized amount. If that is the one you really like, would it be too expensive to get it and see how long it lasts??
Brazillian - maybe my face is huge?? I use more than a dime-sized amount everyday. Not too much more. Maybe it's worth buying once to see how long it will last. I got a few samples and they've lasted a couple weeks...
haha. Im sure youre face isnt huge. I wear this on top of my regular moisturizer so thats why I use less. If the cost isnt too much for you right now I would get it. Since you know you like it already, I dont think it would be too much of a waste.
I love love love the new Almay Smart Shade. It is THE best tinted moisturizer I've ever tried. I also use regular moisturizer with tinted over top. I'm not a huge fan of foundation and it works great for me.
I'm a huge fan of Stila TM, too. Before I do my makeup in the morning I wash my face... I'm currently doing and loving the Clinique three step method, so I end up with regular moisturizer before I apply the TM. This helps it to go on smoother, and I don't need to use as much (about half as much, actually).
As far as a drugstore brands, I like the Covergirl TM. I haven't used it since I tried Stila (about a year and a half ago), but IIRC, it's about the same consistancy. It had pretty good coverage for a TM.
I travel with the understanding that people who use TM want (or at least expect) a dewier appearance as opposed to a more matte finish (even with powder). I know what you mean about "clammy;" to me, it's just the nature of the TM-beast.
I don't know what you do for skin care, but I fear that TM won't kill 2 birds with 1 stone in your case. I wonder if you might be better off working on the skin issues (flakiness, dryness, uneven skintone, etc.) through skincare--and some separate form of spf--and applying a light concealer or oil-free foundation (perhaps with a brush) only where you need it. That way, your skin will look the way you want it; and you won't have to wear 5 lbs. of makeup all over your face.
It is so difficult to find a multi-tasker that works well and doesn't cost a ton. I feel bad because I just added like 10 steps to your daily skin care regimen.
For what it's worth, I use Laura Mercier TM w/ SPF. I switch between moisturizer (origins), primer (bare escentuals), and Bare Escentuals Skin Rever-upper (feels like a light moisturizer/exfoliator) underneath. When I don't want too much dewiness, I use moisturizer and MAC Select (spf 15) foundation.
Pollyjean - thanks for the advice. I use moisturizer, moisturizer with spf, and a light powder on most days. I'm hoping to use a TM and combine steps 2 and 3. As for the dry skin, I've had it for the past couple of years. Some days are better than others and facials always help. I have a pretty consistent skincare routine not including make-up and while I don't have dry, flaky skin without make-up, I do with it, if that makes sense.
I've tried pretty much every foundation you can think of and I pretty much hate them all, even Bare Minerals. They provide lots of coverage but they're too, too heavy. I'm not a huge make-up wearer, so I can't handle anything that I can "feel." I try to keep it as natural as I can but again, avoid the dry flakes that powder sometimes gives me.
Halleybird - I haven't. I used to do that with a different powder I used and it looked great. I never thought of doing that with Stila's Illuminating powder. You use the same powder, right? Do you apply with a damp sponge? How does it work for you?