Makeup: Sheer Business

Have y’all seen the new Bravo reality tv series The Fashion Show? Even better, have you seen the show’s co-host, Kelly Rowland? Under new management, her career has gone into a completely new and exciting direction as she steps into the role of fashion and beauty muse…not too shabby at all. Sultry actress, Zoë Saldaña seems to be experiencing a hot streak these days too with the movie release of Star Trek HQ. And with many more projects in the works, I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of her. You don’t need to envy their red-carpet looks because everyday chicks like us can achieve their fabulosity (thanks Kimora Lee) with tinted moisturizer.

The effervescent beauty of Kelly and Zoe is accessible, sweet, and vampy at times. Glowing skin chokes me up. Does anyone have a tissue? Ladies, use tinted moisturizer to obtain the natural glow of these entertainment darlings.  

Tinted moisturizers simply provide sheer coverage and evens out skin tone, and in some cases like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer (offered in light, medium & dark) includes sunscreen for added protection. I’ve often thought that as a woman of color it’d be difficult to find a cosmetic brand that has a good range of colors to choose from. I’m happy to say that those skin tone choices exist. Case in point, Stila Cosmetics Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Oil-free comes in, get this 8 shades! It leaves skin looking radiant while it absorbs oil. With six shades to choose from, Kiss My Face Kiss & Makeup Moisturizer Tinted Moist has the added benefits of being fragrance and oil-free. I absolutely adore products that have multiple purposes. Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer is a great choice if you need an anti-aging product coupled with a moisturizer that gives you the hint of color you so desire. And to round out my top five picks, hit up Walgreens for Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with UVA/UVB Sunscreen SPF 30. While Aveeno’s shade count is not extensive, it more than makes up for it by being the only product on my list that contains a soy complex which helps to brighten and even skin tones. 

Hue Knew It? I did.

My Pro Product Picks:

Stila Cosmetics Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Oil-free: The multi-tasking formula evens skin tone, provides medium coverage, and naturally absorbs oil with white willow bark to leave your skin glowing. It also moisturizes and smoothes skin with silk amino acids leaving your skin looking radiant. $36

Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer: lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturizer is packed with vitamins and anti-aging peptides for naturally radiant skin. The unique citrus honey moisturization technology nourishes as it absorbs excess oil throughout the day, and UVA/UVB SPF 15 guards against future damage so skin stays flawless and protected. $30

Kiss My Face Kiss & Makeup Moisturizer Clay Tinted Moist: mineral based tints provide sheer coverage that’s natural, not from artificial dyes. Enriched with Ester-C our Tinted Moisturizers smooth out skin tones with oil-free, fragrance-free, sheer color while protecting against UVA/UVB rays with SPF 8. Available in six skin tones, Beach, Branch, Clay, Manila, Rattan and Sisal with an improved formula that is more sheer and blendable to provide an even better match to any skin tone. $9.99

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15: Light-weight tinted moisturizer. Easily absorbed. Protects against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Hydrates and imparts a natural-looking hint of skin color. Not tested on animals. $24.50

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with UVA/UVB Sunscreen SPF 30, Fair to Light: The only tinted moisturizer with clinically proven total soy complex to brighten and even skin tone while providing SPF 30 sun protection. 100% natural, light-reflecting minerals and lightweight coverage blend away imperfections and immediately bring out skin’s natural radiance. Oil-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic. $16.99