Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Enhancer = Fabulous !!
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free skin care · Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:30 am

Having spent the last six months or so going through almost every type of foundation and tinted moisturizer, I can honestly say that my search is over and I have found my product !!
If you want a sheer tint with a physical UVA block, this is it!!

A brief history:

- I tried Bare Essentuals, Pure Luxe and Jane Iredale - all made my pores too big and accented the lines around my eyes. (but I still use my Iredale Handi Brush and Essentuals blush brush - I think both are terrific).
- Then I tried Dermologica's tinted moisturizer in Light - a great product is your skin is very dry, because it's really moisturizing. For me it was too much (I tend to oily), and the color was a little too light. But, it has Zinc Oxide so at least it has a physical UVA block.
- Tried MD Skincare's (Dr. Dennis Gross) tinted moisturizer in light. This is a WONDERFUL product, very sheer with nice color, but, the UVA block is Avobenzone. I really wanted to stay away from chemical UVA blocks, but otherwise this is a really nice product.
- Chanel Voile Universal - truly great, very sheer, just a tint, has Titanium Dioxide, BUT, their lightest color is so dark and pink!! What was Chanel thinking when they created this color is beyond me, because otherwise this product is almost perfect!! Confused

- Went over to Stila's tinted moisturizers: beautiful colors, must be put on with a light hand because can get heavy, but again the UVA block is Avobenzone which I am trying to avoid.
- Tried Tarte's Smooth Operator: Good news - has both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide! Bad news (for me, at least) - this product is very yellow on my skin! Facade was too light, veil was too dark, and conceal too yellow!

Undaunted, I kept searching for the ultimate foundation .........

- Tried Exuviance (sold at Ulta) in True Beige. This is a great foundation for oily skin. Has a lot of Titanium Dioxide so the UVA is covered. Problem was that no matter how lightly I applied it, it was just too heavy and obvious. However, it would be good for strictly nighttime use, because it really smoothes out the skin!
- Purchased Almay's Nearly Naked Touch Pad - the color is unbelievably dark and yellow!
- Next was Paula's Select Barely There Sheer Matte Tint, which has both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. I ordered Sheer Ivory and Sheer Neutral. I really thought this would be the product when I ordered it, and was eagerly awaiting it's arrival in my mailbox, but, it's SO YELLOW !! Really, I have never seen my skin look so sallow!! I was shocked that Paula would have such awful colors!! Rolling Eyes

Finally, a friend suggested Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Enhancer. It's wonderful!! Very Happy

I'm using Ivory to Fair # 10. Extremely sheer, not causing any oiliness, and has Titanium Dioxide! If you are one of the gals that really loved Chanel Universal but found the color too dark, this is the product for you!! Or, if you really want a physical UVA block but only a sheer hint of color, you have to try it!! I put it on with my Prescriptives foundation brush and top it off with Jurlique's lavendar silk dust and I am good to go! I've only had to blot my skin once each day for excess oil, which for me is very good!!

I'm so excited to have finally found something !! Really, what am I going to do with my spare time, now ?? (hee hee ) Laughing

Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:32 am

Of all the products you have tried, I have/had (and like) the Jane Iredale pressed base, the Tarte (in veil), the Dermalogica Sheer Tint (light) and the Chanel Voile Universel. I tried the Stila TM but did not like it at all - the texture was too heavy.

I do agree with you on the Chanel color range - I think they only come in three or four colors. Lucikly, I can pull off the lightest one in summer.

The Neutrogena sounds great and I bet you that this is going to be another one of those products that Neutrogena never brings to Australia Rolling Eyes

We only have their skincare here, not their makeup for some strange reason.... *sigh*

free skin care · Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:51 am

Given the posts that you have written in the past, I have a strong feeling that we have similar, very fair coloring. If you can't get this product where you live, I would be more than happy to send you one!! (my treat!!) Let me know!

free skin care · Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:13 am

Is you skin very oily? I have light skin also and I was thinking of trying the Exuviance because it has a newer anti wrinkle agent in it. Did you use the loose powder/ If you put it on and go over it with a light cloth do you still get too heavy a finish?
THANKS

Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:01 am

Girlzmommie wrote:

Given the posts that you have written in the past, I have a strong feeling that we have similar, very fair coloring. If you can't get this product where you live, I would be more than happy to send you one!! (my treat!!) Let me know!

Thank you Girlzmommie, that's very sweet of you! I think I should get through my current stash of stuff though 'coz I'm starting to feel very guilty about my bathroom bursting at the seams Embarassed

I would like to try this though so don't be surprised when I take you up on the offer one day (I'll PayPal over the cash though Smile

). In the meantime I'll wait and see how you like this long term Smile

free skin care · Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:00 am

Hi Sharky !

Yes, my skin is pretty oily, with fairly large pores although I don't really get any breakouts like others seem to.

I really loved the Exuviance, it was fantastic at controlling my oil! However, it is pretty heavy when its on so you have to use a super-light hand when applying it or else it's very thick on the skin. Even though it starts out as a liquid, it really dries to a pretty serious cover. I never tried using a light cloth over it after I applied it because it dries relatively quickly and I would be afraid of smearing it or making the finish uneven. I have also used it with a powder, which made it even more thick & cakey. It's a shame, because it really is a very nice product otherwise.

The Neutrogena, however, cannot go on too thick no matter how much you apply because it is so very sheer. The UVA protection is excellent, too. Whenever I use a tinted moisturizer (like Mercier, Dermalogica, etc.) I have to blot 4-6 times a day. With Neutrogena, I'm only blotting once a day, and I'm using it with the Jurlique Silk Dust on top in Lavendar which is also wonderful (I have also tried tons of different powders, from Lauder to Le Clerc to Mercier and I think Jurlique's is the very best!!).

I hope this helps!!

free skin care · Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:04 pm

OK Mabsy, my offer still stands!! Let me know when you want to take me up on it!! (Really, I love this stuff so much, it would be great to send it around the world !! Very Happy

)

Fondly -

Girlzmommie

Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:15 pm

Girlzmommie wrote:

OK Mabsy, my offer still stands!! Let me know when you want to take me up on it!! (Really, I love this stuff so much, it would be great to send it around the world !! Very Happy

)

Fondly -

Girlzmommie

You got me on a day when my will power is very low (which is scary as I'm about to go house hunting...) Laughing

Have you got PayPal set up by any chance?

Fri Jul 29, 2005 9:45 pm

[quote="Mabsy")The Neutrogena sounds great and I bet you that this is going to be another one of those products that Neutrogena never brings to Australia Rolling Eyes

We only have their skincare here, not their makeup for some strange reason.... *sigh*[/quote]

Note: We don't have the Neutrogena cosmetics line in Canada either. I think it's only available in the U.S.

free skin care · Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:09 am

Hi Mabsy !

Nope - it's my treat!! Send me your address and I will get it out to you next week! I really think you are going to like it!
Very Happy

It's weird how some areas get entire product lines, whereas others only get some (like just skincare as opposed to skincare and make-up, too).

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sun Jul 31, 2005 12:09 am

Girlzmommie wrote:

Nope - it's my treat!! Send me your address and I will get it out to you next week! I really think you are going to like it!

PMing you shortly Smile

I'd still prefer to send you the $$$ though. We'll talk... Smile

free skin care · Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:51 am

Thanks for recommending this!!! I'm over in the US right now and I saw it while I was exploring Walmart, remembered your great review and thought I'd give it a try! I really like this stuff, it's more like a tinted moisturiser to me but lovely texture, just enough colour and SPF as well! Great buy. Very Happy

Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:27 am

Glad you're liking this too Princesita! I should be getting to try this any day now Dancing

Thank you Girlzmommie

Btw, enjoy the rest of your trip Princesita Smile

Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:30 am

This is good stuff! I used this today for the first time (thank you again Girlzmommie

) and I know that it's very early days but I really like it already. It is not a foundation IMO, it's a tinted moisturiser. It doesn't have much coverage at all but does help even out the skin tone. I wore it with a light dusting of Jurlique Rose Silk Dust and my face has been matte all day. I don't have oily skin but my skin gets shinier with the Chanel Voile Universel than with this. My face still looked pretty matte when I applied this in the morning before I used the Jurlique powder though.

Shade wise, I've got the lightest one (Ivory to Fair 10) and this looks too dark for me in the bottle. It's fine once I put it on though - just blends in. It's also not as golden as the lightest shade of the Chanel Voile Universel (I am comparing it to that because I've been using this the last week or so to finish it off) so it is more suitable for my skin tone.

This is oil free, has an SPF of 20 and also has retinol in it. The only thing I don't like about it is the typical "sunblock" smell.

I'll post a follow-up review once I get to use it for a while Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:52 pm

Hi Mabsy!

Sorry it's taken me so long to write back - we were out of town!
So glad you finally got it and that it seems to be working for you! I'm sure you see why I compared it to Chanel's Voile - it is very sheer, like a "tint." I also use it with Jurlique's Lavendar Silk Dust and it holds up very well!
Anyway, happy to say I'm still using it (which is unusual for me, I tend to "product hop"). Very Happy

Good Luck!!

- Girlzmommie

Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:29 am

I'm glad to hear you're still liking this. I use Jurlique Silk Dust (Rose) over it as well Smile

So far so good - I've had slight problems with blending it in but I think that's when I applied too much. I still need to experiment with this to find how to best use it. I know it doesn't like certain serums underneath - it balls up on the skin. Again, that could be me putting on too much. I'm really liking it though. Thank you! Smile

free skin care · Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:08 am

I searched high and low for this product this weekend....and I think it is true, not Neutrogena cosmetic products in Canada Confused

Not that I really need it Laughing

I just got Murad Oil-free sheer tint SPF 15 and so far so good, have only used it once though. May have found the ultimate tinted-moisturizer with SPF Very Happy

I will keep you updated!

free skin care · Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:33 am

Sounds like something I will have to check out, I love the chanel, but like others even the lightest is too dark for me.

free skin care · Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:36 am

Sounds wonderful, I am off to the grocery to look for it!

Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:07 am

cbrooke wrote:

I just got Murad Oil-free sheer tint SPF 15 and so far so good, have only used it once though. May have found the ultimate tinted-moisturizer with SPF Very Happy

I have this and love this! It's *so* light and has a lovely scent. It is *very* sheer though...

free skin care · Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:43 pm

OK, I just ran and picked up the Murad, too. I will try it tomorrow. It is REALLY sheer, which isn't necessarily a bad thing! My only concern is that my skin doesn't always react well when there are a lot of plant-based ingredients, like pomegranate, lavendar, etc. Usually causes my pores to expand! Rolling Eyes

But, I'm curious to try it anyway, and I will know pretty quickly if my skin likes it or not.

BTW - there is another line out there with a very similar product to Murad's - the line is called "Juice" and it is carried in larger Sephora's. Their tinted moisturizer also has a lot of the same ingredients as the Murad, smells the same, is very sheer, but the SPF is 30, which is wonderful! The only reason that I don't use it is my pores grew considerably when I tried it.

Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:49 am

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it Girlzmommie! I didn't know about the Juice company - I'll need to track this down. Same texture and smell with the added higher SPF sounds super to me!

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