As my skin got better with the Obagi System I wanted a new start. I was tired of standing in front of cosmetics with too many choices both in terms of types and colors. I spoke to Robin, the medical aesthetician I see, who suggested I buy Clarins products and tell the skin care consultant that I needed a light, hydrating foundation. I left with everything from foundation to eye shadow.

I am reviewing Clarins Hydra-Balance Tinted Moisturizer which is what Linda (at the Clarins counter) and I liked.

Clarins Tinted Moisturizer:

Every product Linda tried on me I loved. I’ve never spent this kind of money before. 1.7 ounces cost me $38.00 but it is well worth it. Although this is the only foundation I bought I could see buying another in the Clarins line as my face gets more and more hydrated.

This Tinted Moisturizer comes in a tube with the color of the moisturizer as the cap. It has an SPF of 6 which is not considered enough to be a sunscreen so you must use sunscreen in addition to the number 6.

It comes in four tints: basque, which is a brown tint; copper, amber and the one I bought called gold.

It has a pleasant smell. I have had no adverse affects from this product at all.

From www.clarins.com

“Sheer color for a luminous complexion. For those who want a day cream that will enhance their complexion while revitalizing the skin's beauty.”

The benefits:

Linda told me that my new product like the lipstick I bought is healing as well as pretty. As the name suggests this is a moisturizer that enhances the skin with transparent color. You may think that transparent means no color but this isn’t the case. Tinted is truly the right word for this. It is said to help minimize wrinkles and minor skin imperfections and to nourish and soften the skin.

Ingredients:

Lipophilic, cell extracts of marine origin (Revitalizes, Restores, Protects against damaging free radicals)

Hydrophilic, cell extracts of vegetal origin (Hydrates, Repairs skin's beauty, Promotes firmness)

Clarins Anti-Pollution Complex (Safeguards skin against damaging UV rays and pollution)

Echinacea (Stimulates)

Licorice (Softens)

Sea Fennel from www.clarins.com “Sea Fennel is found in coastal regions and prefers to grow among rocks exposed to the wind and salt spray. It has been known since ancient times. It first appeared in the French Pharmacopoeia in 1837. Sailors would take it on long voyages, as it is rich in vitamin C and mineral salts. These beneficial properties are now fully used in cosmetology.”

Using my tinted moisturizer:

I watched how Linda applied this thin foundation. She put it on her hand and from there used a makeup brush which she dipped into the liquid. I just squeeze some of the liquid onto the brush (I bought a brush!) and apply as she did. I apply it as if I were painting. I apply a little to each area of my face. A little goes a long way.

We are told to warm the tinted moisturizer between our finger tips before applying for even coverage. I didn't notice Linda doing that and in the store it went on great. I still don't since I use a makeup brush. For this review I did warm it and applied my fingertips. I really didn't notice a difference.

It washes off easily with my Obagi cleanser but stays put on my face for the day.

My experience:

I was stuck by the way my forehead looked. I am used to using a gel under my Sephora foundation and was very skeptical of applying anything to my face without a gel under it. In fact I almost talked Linda into selling me an expensive underneath foundation product but she assured me I wouldn’t need it. She was right. In the past, especially with my new skin, my forehead would look shiny. Not so with Clarins Hydra-Balance Tinted Moisturizer.

It went on evenly and smoothly and though it left no oily looking shine it left my skin actually glowing. I had to have it. It is sheer but there is enough cover to cover my imperfections. I bought a separate under eye product I’ll review separately.

As time goes on I could easily put another foundation over this if I wanted more coverage – perhaps for nighttime.

I always considered my complexion as medium but Linda called it fair. If you are buying this online and your skin is anything but fair go with a darker shade because I think you will find this too light.

Final thoughts:

Clarins Hydra-Balance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 6 hydrates my skin while giving it a soft, glowing tint. It is lightweight and easy to apply. My skin looks wonderful – five stars.












Recommended: Yes