Tinted moisturisers

[Naicethings]

Hello. I have sorted out my skin care, thanks to all the wonderful threads and forums, but have never really found the right foundation. I have spent hours looking online and swatching samples on the high street, but not found the "right" product. Requirements:

-Medium coverage
-Glowy but not shiny
-Good range of shades.

I am sorely tempted by the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, but before I take the plunge and blind buy, is there anything comparable on the high street that is more of a tinted moisturiser, BB cream, CC cream etc?

I am currently using Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and despite liking its consistency and shade, it isn't as glowy as I would like.

Nars is very good, I strongly recommend it. BUT, it really really depends if your skin can match a shade. Try it before taking the plunge.

I actually like vitalumiere aqua too, because it is a bit matte, if you want more glowy but like chanel, why don't you try the other vitaluimiere ones? I had a different one initially (in glass bottle) and it was more shiny than I would have liked so moved to aqua.

Laura Mercier. It's my holy grail. I've used it for years. Along the way, I've dabbled with other products but I always end up coming back to LM.

I second Laura Mercier. I didn't find Nars glowy so I would try before buying.

I love Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, if you need more glow you could use a touch of highlighter. Otherwise I agree with pp, I always go back to Laura Mercier.

There are a few LM tinteds- do you go with the illuminating one, or the regular?

I like bare minerals complexion rescue tinted hydrating gel, there's loads of different shades to choose from too

Another vote for Laura Mercier. I used to use the oil free formula, but my skin has become a bit drier lately so I moved to the regular formula. Both are brilliant. Haven't tried the illuminating one.

I have LM Oil Free which is very glory, despite the assumption you might make from the name. You MUST try shades before buying and be cheeky....ask for a small sample. It does tend to oxidise (on me).

I also like the No7 one. Theirs are good, for the price.

No! No, no no!
Not the LM Illuminating one, unless you want to look like a giant orange disco ball.

I use Nars and Chantecaiile.

I found the illuminating one (LM) kind of see-through (and not in a good way). It just disappeared on me.

“Very GLOWY” obvs.

I definitely do not want to be a disco ball!!! Ok, I shall get myself to a counter for testing

Not just the counter.

Put it on, go out in daylight and let it stay a couple of hours or so before deciding.

Another vote for the Bare Minerals complexion rescue - not too heavy but enough to even out tones and very hydrating.

OP, with the cost of products nowadays, it’s not unreasonable to ask for a small sample. I have very sensitive skin and won’t buy anything without trialling over a few days or saying I WILL return if it brings me out in hives. 😊

I also enjoy the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue. They're really good about giving samples, recommend getting the shade you think you want and the two either side of it and trying at home as their products tend to oxidise.

The regular one. The illuminating version is well ilumminating.😂

Ask for a sample of anything you are buying at a counter. Usually, sales assistants will give three/four days worth to try if you say your skin makes stuff oxidise. Then you can decide with knowledge of what works on your skin. I have a drawerful of impulse buys that didn't work reproaching me.

The Chanel cc cream is fantastic. Glowy but very natural looking

God not the LM illuminating one. Even the woman on the LM counter warned me how GLOWY that one is. Stick the the original one. Apply with a very slightly damp beauty blender.

With all the Chanel vitlumiere aqua chat, I used to use vitalumiere aqua in Beige which was a perfect shade for me and I loved it but is a bit expensive now. Does anyone know any cheaper colour dupes and alternatives?

Currently using The Ordinary's fuller coverage Foundation which is good for the money but I got the shade wrong and it's a bit too pale for me

I went into Space NK and ended up with the NARS Radiant tinted moisturiser in shade Finland. Perfect shade match and a lovely finish. Not over glowy; just healthy looking. It just pipped the LM! Thanks for all the recs. I might get my mum the LM for Mother's Day

What was it about the Nars that clinched it, OP. A “shade” thing? Did you look at LM Porcelain and is it comparable to the Nars Finland? I need to get a tester of it as LM Oil Free Nude is kind of “off” on me now.

Just picking your brains, hope you don’t mind!

The shades were pretty comparable; I would say the porcelain pulled slightly pinker. I am fair but neutral so Finland is spot on. The Nars is dewier than the LM, but there isn't much in it. Definitely get a sample of both and test in daylight. I apply with finger tips and kind of pat in. Looks really nice.