When it comes to Spring into Summer makeup, one of the most critical things to have is good face coverage with enough SPF to keep you protected from the sun’s damaging rays on a daily basis. While no foundation or tinted moisturizer is going to be enough when baking in the sun for the entire day (which you already know is not good for your skin, regardless of SPF protection), a makeup with SPF 30 or above is decent protection while walking, shopping or sitting in your car.
If there’s anyone who can deliver a product that multi-tasks and looks beautiful — one that you really will want to use, it is NARS Cosmetics. For their Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ NARS did something unique: they offered it to US-based fans on Facebook for sampling on February first, and sold out of 10,000 of them in just over an hour! This is going to be a must-have for travel as well as for every day use. Obviously, this product is a moisturizer, gives face coverage, and has a SPF 30/PA+++ but what else made people go wild over it?
For starters, this isn’t any old wimpy tinted moisturizer that barely covers, and barely protects your skin. This one will cover flaws, but still look subtle. If you want more coverage just use a little more. The formula is oil-free and it covers your skin with a light to medium coverage (depending upon how much you add), but it also does more than just beautify your skin and protect it: the advanced formula also helps to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in just four weeks!
*for those who are not sure what PA+++ means, the “PA” stands for “Protection grade of UVA.” The PA rating system shows the level of protection against UVA rays (aging rays), with the highest index being PA+++ as extremely effective protection against UVA rays. SPF stands for “sun protection factor.” It measures how long you can stay exposed to the sun without burning. An SPF of 15 extends your protection 15 times longer. However, wearing a product with sunscreen or sun block still isn’t a substitute for sensible sun bathing. These products, even the waterproof ones, won’t last on your skin indefinitely, nor can you layer two products together give you a higher SPF protection.
The key ingredients in this tinted moisturizer are naturally derived botanicals and ingredients that immediately help hydrate: Kopara from French Polynesia and mineral rich seawater. These help make skin look and feel softer, smoother, and brighter.
The foundation arrives in a slim, flip-top tube and it’s thick enough not to run and make a mess, blend-able enough to apply with fingertips, or use a sponge or brush if you wish. There are nine colors (5 brand new –Finland, Alaska, Annapurna, St. Mortiz and Cuba) with something for virtually every complexion tone and intensity. “Finland” is the lightest with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones . “Alaska” is a light shade with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones; “St. Moritz” is Medium with a neutral yellow undertone; “Annapurna” is a Medium with a neutral peachy undertone; “Cuba” is a Medium with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones; “Malaga” is a Medium dark with warm caramel undertones; “Seychelles” is a Medium dark with golden olive; “Martinique” is a Medium dark with warm red undertones; and the deepest is “Polynesia,” a deep tint with warm chocolate undertones .
"Finland" is one of the new colors. It's the lightest in the collection
You can make this tinted moisturizer sheer or have more coverage because it is so versatile. To keep it subtle, use it as your foundation. Blend it along cheekbones, then swipe a bit down the nose and along the top of the forehead. This will even tone while keeping things light and sheer. Add more if you want a bit more coverage. But if you want extra glow, blend a pea-size amount with equal amount of NARS Copacabana Illuminator and smooth over entire face and you have an instant bronzing effect that looks natural and glowing! ‘
At $42.00 per tube, the formula is well worth the price for beauty, skin enhancement, and sun protection. Visit Nordstrom, your favorite NARS makeup counter, or www.narscosmetics.com
