There are always times during the year when I really REALLY hate my skin. It feels like by the time I have finally figured a foundation and an application method, my skin will throw me in for a loop or the season will change or my hormones will go haywire… To summarize; I am ever adapting my base to my skin’s needs at that precise moment.

This summer it was suggested that I try a tinted moisturizer and so I embarked on a quest to find a good tinted moisturizer. I tried one by Kiko which was alright, though the shades were quite limited. At MAC I was given their Studio Moisturize Tint SPF15 (29.5€ for 40ml) in Medium Dark (!), and I have since bought Light to be able to mix them. I also had to try the well-known Tinted Moisturizer Oil-free SPF20 (48€ for 50ml) by Laura Mercier in Nude.

The truth is that I have really been enjoying them as a less opaque and lighter option to foundation on days when I only need to unify my tone.

I finished the Kiko one and was not impressed enough to repurchase (especially since I had others already at home to go through!), but I am liking the MAC and LM options so far.

At the moment the differences between the two tinted moisturizers are in small details.

The LM one is more fluid than the MAC ones as you can see from the picture above. Also, the LM one is a tiny bit more opaque than the MAC ones. What is more, the selection of shades is wider and better for me chez Laura Mercier. Finally, the MAC ones have a stonger artificial scent.

On the other hand, both set quite quickly, so it is best if you apply them quickly. They both give a beatiful satin finish without being too apparent. Also, I found that after a couple hours I had to blot my T-zone with both brands.

However, there is a 20€ difference between two products that when it comes down to it perform quite similarly on me, so I am leaning more for the MAC version. Unfortuntaly MAC’s Studio Moisturize Tint has been discontinued in the US, although it is still available at my store, so I might drop by and get one in Medium before they are gone!