Why I Now Worship the Tinted Moisturizer

11:00 AM, March 30 2011

By Maura Lynch

For years and years and years, everyone--celebrities, dermatologists, makeup artists--has been preaching to me the power of tinted moisturizers. They conceal, hydrate, protect (all without making you look like you're actually wearing makeup, they said). But it fell on my deaf ears. I was whole-heartedly committed to my routine of applying a lightweight powder...until now.

I'm not sure what changed for me, but I find myself pawing at every one I see (and as a beauty editor at a shopping magazine, I see a lot). But to make it into my makeup bag, it has to have the perfect amount of slip, so that if I closed my eyes, I would actually think I were putting on a luxe face cream. And, of course, it has to make my skin look awesome. I have--not one--but FOUR, count 'em FOUR favorites:

1. Dior Hydralife Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20: Remember those chewy "Gushers" candies that were around in the 90s, that when you bit into them a surge of juice sprang out? Disgusting, I know, but when I put this on my skin, I feel like a gusher of intense hydration has just exploded and my skin's thirst is happily quenched. Plus, it smells great.

2. Tarte Smooth Operator Natural Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20: This is somehow a dewy and matte finish at the same time--which translates to PERFECT.

3. Philosophy Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20: So sheer, I can layer this throughout the day for more coverage and it still doesn't make my skin feel gunky.

4. Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20: This has a gorgeous, glowy effect once it sinks in (which is pretty much immediately). I imagine that when people see me from afar when I'm wearing this they think, wow that is some crazy-angelic light radiating from that girl's face!

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