Since my first post, “Makeup in Minutes“, I’ve had a few of you asking how to choose the perfect tinted moisturizer. I aim to please, so here are a few tips on how to pick the best one for you.

First of all, let me say I’m a huge fan of tinted moisturizer because of the ease and convenience. It’s a 3-in-1 product! (Moisturizer, foundation, and most come with a sunscreen, too) This is a major plus for me because I’m not only a beauty blogger, but I also hold down a full time job and have 3 young boys, so I need as little hassle as possible. Another benefit of the tinted moisturizer is the natural feel they have (tinted moisturizers tend to not be too heavy or “cakey”), and they also give you a “no makeup” look.

Just about anyone can benefit from having a tinted moisturizer in their bag of beauty tricks, whether you use it every day or just for a weekend look. The only person I wouldn’t recommend a tinted moisturizer for is someone who needs to have a lot of coverage. (And I mean really needs it) If you need that kind of coverage, a tinted moisturizer most likely won’t be a good fit for you. But if you still really want to use it, you can add a concealer along with the tinted moisturizer in the areas that may need more coverage, like dark circles under the eye or blemishes. This way, you can have the best of both worlds.

Here’s what you need to look for in a good tinted moisturizer:

• Feel:

  It should feel moisturizing, but not greasy on your skin.

• Blend:

  It should blend seamlessly into your skin and not be streaky or blotchy.

• Color:

  The color should match your skin tone evenly, with a natural look to it.

For application, using your fingers is the best because it really helps the tinted moisturizer blend into your skin. You can use a foundation brush if you like, but just be sure you don’t leave brush marks on your face since the tinted moisturizers will be a creamier texture than your regular foundation. I don’t recommend using a sponge to apply your tinted moisturizer because most of the product will be sucked up into the sponge and not on your face, although using one to blend after application is fine.

Just about every makeup brand has a tinted moisturizer, and I encourage you to try as many as you can to find the one you like the best. Some of my personal faves include Laura Mercier, Elizabeth Arden, and Shiseido. All of these are really creamy and and feel great on your face. They also have a lovely, naturally dewy finish. Love it!

So off you go… and be sure to leave me a comment below to let me know what you’ve come up with.