How To Use A Tinted Moisturizer This Spring

The best kind of makeup are the ones you don't feel like you're wearing, and Perricone MD has kind of mastered that. Their latest launch is the Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint, and the lightweight formula just in time for warmer weather. I've been a big fan of Perricone MD ever since I tried their No Makeup Skincare line, which is comprised of foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter, mascara, concealer, lipstick... The whole shebang. As the name implies, the products deliver a natural, no-makeup beauty look with the added benefit of skin care ingredients.

Makeup and skin care are two of my favorite things, so a brand that combines them is bound to earn my loyalty. Perricone MD has definitely delivered for me in the past (their No Makeup Skincare line is my #1 pick for making my face look and feel better) so I was excited to try their latest offering.

Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint, $75, Perricone MD

I've been testing this moisturizer for a few weeks now and, after a bumpy start, I've figured out the best way to wear it for a natural, dewy glow. Allow me to share my trial and error with you so that, if you're considering buying this moisturizer, you'll know what to do with it once you have it.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we'll start with a before and after of my face. Here is what I look like without any makeup on, before applying the Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint:

As you can see, I have a lot of redness, some spots, and my skin is a little dull after a long winter.

Here's what my skin looks like after applying the Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint (without any other makeup):

It's a subtle but definite improvement. As you can see, the moisturizer isn't quite tinted enough to hide a lot of redness like what I have, and you'll still need concealer for any spots or under eye circles. That said, my skin in the "after" picture is considerably evened out and has gained a summery glow (impressive, considering it's March).

So let's talk about how to wear this moisturizer, because it's a little trickier than you'd think. As you can see in the swatch below, the tint comes from dark-brown microcapsules that release their pigment when you blend the moisturizer into your skin.

I didn't realize this when I first tried the moisturizer, so I didn't blend well enough and was left with brown streaks all over my face. Not attractive.

Once I realized my mistake, I decided to give it another shot. On my second try, I blended the moisturizer in perfectly and my face had a subtle sun-kissed glow. Unfortunately, I quickly noticed that my blindingly pale neck no longer matched my face. Sigh.

To rectify that problem, the next time I tried it I made sure to blend the moisturizer all the way down past my jawline and all over my neck. Finally my skin's tinted glow looked seamless and completely natural. Sadly, that night I came home and found that I had gotten the moisturizer's brown tint all over the white collar I had worn.

So, shall we recap the rules of this moisturizer? You have to blend well, you have to blend past your jawline, and you cannot wear anything white near your neck.

I know all of that probably sounds annoying, but those rules are actually the same ones you have to follow when wearing any type of foundation. So you just have to keep in mind that this isn't your typical moisturizer: the tinted aspect makes it a little more complicated than that, inching it into makeup territory.

Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint, $75, Perricone MD

That said, I'd say this moisturizer is completely worth the learning curve. It comes in a gorgeous, medicinal-style 2 oz jar that feels substantial (as if it won't shatter if you drop it) and is tinted so that light won't adversely affect the ingredients. I can see the product lasting for a long time because you only need a small amount.

When you open the jar you'll notice a delicate but pleasant fragrance. I personally can be very picky about fragrance in my skin care and beauty products, but I like this one. The scent is natural and lovely, almost like roses, and it's not too overpowering to have on your face.

As for how to apply it, you can blend this moisturizer with your fingers or a fluffy kabuki brush. I like to take one big dab (to reduce the amount of air and germs getting into the product) with a finger and then dot that all over my face before quickly blending. You can wear it alone, but if I'm leaving the house I usually layer some concealer on top for some extra coverage. I've found that it actually provides a perfect base for makeup and still imparts a subtle glow underneath foundation, if I wear any. And yes, it works for every skin tone, since the tint is subtle enough if you blend properly.

I especially love that it contains non-irritating, mineral-based SPF 30 in the form of titanium dioxide as well as powerful antioxidants. This product is touted as being anti-aging (a phrase that I don't love) but as a 24-year-old with very dry skin, it's perfect for me. If your skin is oily, you might want to ask for a sample at Sephora before buying the full-size to make sure it's not too rich for you.

Here I'm wearing the Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint, a few dabs of concealer on my cheeks and chin to conceal redness, and a tinted lip balm:

I rarely get this minimal with my makeup (unless I'm just hanging out at home) but I have to admit I love how great my skin can look with just two products. Now my morning routine is faster, my skin is softer and more hydrated, and I'm saving a lot of money on foundation. Well played (again), Perricone MD.

Images: Joshua Kirby