Tinted Moisturiser / BB Cream without shade-matching?

[mudskippa]

I can't shade-match due to lockdown, obvs. but I need a tinted moisturiser or BB cream since I got my summer tan. I found an old sample of Lancome Hydra Zen which is not my colour but still looks great. When I went to order a full-size better colour, reviewers were saying the formula is now crap. Sigh.

I'm guessing the wrong shade still looked good with the Hydra Zen because the colour is not super-saturated (bright), it's sheer, and applies well to my combination skin. Any other candidates you can recommend? I'm looking for a "natural" finish. Thanks.

REN Satin Perfection is good

Thanks @Easttt I've never heard of REN before. I am so out of the make-up game (which is why I'm using a 9-year old sample!). I only heard the term "BB cream" last month. So I think I like the "satin" look. That's not glowy but not matt, right?

I was just coming on to say REN satin perfection. It looks very orange coming out the tube but weirdly looks fine all year round - pasty or tanned. A tube lasts me ages too. I really rate REN products.

Thanks @MistyMinge2 I would usually be wary of buying a brand I'd never heard of or tried, especially cos I just checked the price and it's not especially cheap. But good to get two votes. I just looked on MakeUpAalley and it has good reviews there too.

It is pricey, but a tube probably lasts me six months. Definitely look out for deals. It's sold directly, on look fantastic, John Lewis and M&S that I know of.

I also have combination skin. I find it gives a bit of cover, makes skin look more even and just a hint of glowiness without looking like you've got mad with a highlighting cream.

I love REN, have used the moisturisers for years. It's ethical and the packaging is eco-friendly too. Not tried the BB cream though - will add it to my list! Was going to suggest Trinny BFF cream which is lighter/more sheer than a BB but great for evening out skintone (on white skins at least)

Nars is good, maybe this will help with shade?

Thanks @Zinnia. I am white, but have an olive undertone so I get ridiculously tanned after a little while in the sun. This is another reason why it's so hard for me to shade match and my skin is constantly changing colour throughout the seasons.

I honestly don't know the difference between tinted moisturiser/ BB cream. I picked up the old Lancome "Hydra Zen Tinted Moisturiser" sample to try it and although it's pink and I am not, it actually doesn't matter because it is so subtle and a lovely finish. When I checked the online shops, they're now calling it "Hydra Zen BB cream"! And people are saying it's thicker and the colours are different.

I've just bought a Code 8 BB cream, they have a good range of shade and use the same shade numbering system as MAC so if you know your shade there, it shouldn't be too hard to shade match?

Another option could be the Trinny London BFF cream which has a small range of shades but I think is a colourless cream that is meant to shade adapt to your skin.

Thanks @Bananaman123. That's a great idea, but I have honestly never found a good match in foundation because of my weird skin tone. I've always made do with utter non-matches, but got away with it because I was younger. After lockdown ends, I'll probably have to go and get properly colour matched (at 40, lol!). For now, I just need something that evens up the skin a bit so I can just dot on concealer and go!

Try Beauty & the Boutique on FB its not cheap but I sent them a photo of me with no make up on and they recommended a fab blusher and BB cream. The shades are perfect and really good products that seem to be lasting for ages as you don’t need very much.

I wear this all year round. I'm pale in winter but very freckled in summer with a tanned face.
www.bareminerals.co.uk/face-makeup/tinted-moisturiser-and-bb-cream/complexion-rescue-tinted-moisturiser/UKmastercomrescue.html

I use the Boots no.7 tinted moisturiser - I think there are only a couple of shades, so easy enough to choose!

Thanks all! I found a cheap sample of the REN on ebay, so I'll give that a whirl first. Fingers crossed

@mudskippa REN is a really good skincare brand and the satin perfection is a new staple for me in the warmer months. Let us know what you think of it :)

Trinny London BFF

I'd also recommend some colour drops so you can adjust the colour of your foundation or BB cream. I use the Body Shop ones but there are various available - means I don't end up having to buy two shades of things for summer/winter.

@Easttt I will post back. I got a message from ebay saying it was dispatched today, so hopefully it'll be here soon!

Good idea @noodlezoodle although I sort of don't trust myself to do it properly! I did buy some green and blue drops to try and adjust the undertone of foundation, but I haven't plucked up the courage to try it yet!

It's really easy! Just do one drop at a time and mix it in on your hand, then see if you need more.

Nars is good, maybe this will help with shade?

That's helpful but I am pale and warm (warm ivory) but according to some companies I have cool stones..Er no. Not rose Ivory at all!

Well, I tried the REN. It is quite good. It's definitely a little light for me (I am super-tanned right now) and a teeny tiny bit orange (but not enough to matter).

I do think it highlights my forehead wrinkles, so I would probably try it with an additional moisturiser next time, which I didn't expect to have to do. It's a little thicker than I thought it would be as well, so I maybe have used a bit too much and I could go easier on the forehead where the skintone is pretty even.

Overall, it makes my face look pretty nice, though. I don't think it's a Holy Grail for me. But it's nice and I'll definitely try it some more. Thanks for the tips mums :)