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Thanks to the Fenty phenomenon of shade-inclusivity, brands have finally started expanding their shade ranges for foundations. It almost seems like we’re seeing a new “40 shades” launch every month, and while some of these brands are pandering to our demands only after being dragged across Black Twitter, it’s still nice to see more options for Black and Brown girls on the market. The shade-expansion trend started with foundations, but now we’re seeing more diversity in concealers, powders, and even primers. There’s still one member of the base makeup fam that’s being left behind, though: tinted moisturizers. Most tinted moisturizer ranges don’t seem to go beyond three or five shades, ranging typically from light or fair to deep (but let’s face it, it’s never really dark enough if you’re dark-skinned). These light-skewing shades end up looking pale, pasty and ashy instead of blending seamlessly into the skin as a moisturizer should! There’s definitely much work yet to be done when it comes to shade expansion for tinted moisturizers, but these five picks are the most flattering options I’ve found for women of color. Swipe through the gallery to shop five non-ashy tinted moisturizers.
BLACK UP MATIFYING TINTED MOISTURIZER
While the concept of a mattifying moisturizer seems a bit oxymoronic to me, the Black Up Matifying Tinted Moisturizer ($19.75, sephora.com) is a great option for people of deeper skin tones. Five shades may not sound like an impressive number, however all five shades are on the mid-to-dark scale. That’s right, no “fair” or “ivory” over here. The mattifying formula makes this a good choice for those with oily skin, and a light-to-medium coverage level makes it ideal for those looking for a baby-beat instead of full-on cake.
FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR TINTED MOISTURIZER BROADBAND SPECTRUM SPF 30
We love a two-in-one. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30 ($28.00, sephora.com) offers coverage and protection from the sun. Coming in at ten shades, half of them are geared toward those with medium to deep complexions. The darkest shade isn’t very dark, however because this is such a lightweight lotion, it pretty much blends into the skin instead of sitting on top and looking pasty. The appeal here is in the luminous finish that’s perfect for normal to dry skin folks who want to achieve that hydrated, no makeup-makeup look with just a bit of coverage to mask imperfections.
LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER BROADBAND SPECTRUM SPF 20
After the successful expansion of their cult-favorite translucent powder with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in “Medium Deep” ($39.00, sephora.com), it’s not surprising that the brand would also offer an expansive selection for the tinted moisturizers. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 ($46.00, sephora.com) comes in a whopping 15 colors with a mixture of undertones. Again, it’s nice to have a tinted moisturizer that doubles as sun-protection, and this one is formulated with an antioxidant complex of vitamins C and D to shield against harmful environmental effects.
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NARS PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURIZER
NARS is one of my favorite brands when it comes to complexion products, and the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer ($45.00, ulta.com) is no exception. Also packed with SPF, this one features an oil-free formula to avoid the overly slick, greasiness that comes with many tinted moisturizers. This product is great for a “my skin, but better” feel.
GLOSSIER PERFECTING SKIN TINT
Glossier is what a friend of mine likes to call, “makeup for pretty people.” I call it, “makeup for models.” Basically, it’s that super sheer, super glowy vibe for people who don’t really need makeup but like to wear it nonetheless. It makes sense, then, that they’d have a quality tinted moisturizer in the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint ($26.00, glossier.com). The brand claims that this product isn’t a foundation or a tinted moisturizer, but something in between. For all intents and purposes, though, it’s a tinted moisturizer in my book. Minimal coverage, blendable formula, and glycerin to help the skin attract and maintain its moisture.
Are you into tinted moisturizers? Let us know in the comments section.
