I recently made the decision to stop wearing foundation (unless I am going out for the night clubbing or something similar). I wanted something that would give me an even complexion and make me look healthy without taking ages to apply and looking cakey. I normally use MAC Studio Fix foundation but even wearing it every few days was making me break out. It is supposed to be oil-free and I drink lots of water and take good care of my skin but I felt like it wasn't doing my skin any good from the break outs I was getting from using it. Also I never have time in the mornings to spend ages blending foundation over my face. It takes too long for my liking. I wanted to find something quick and easy to give me a healthy looking, even complexion in a decent amount of time.
So I have decided to give my skin a complete break from foundation and I recently bought a tinted moisturiser as a result. I looked online at various ones that were within my budget (I was looking to spend less than £5 on one). I also looked at reviews for the products I was finding and what stood out was quite a few that highly recommended Boots Botanic Tinted Moisturiser.
The reviews I read were so good/convincing that I actually took the plunge and handed over my 3.99 for a 75ml tube to find out if what was being said was actually a true in any way.
This is the product description from the Boots website:
"The Botanics range combines active plant extracts in carefully balanced formulations to give you the right product for your skin type. Botanics Instant Glow Tinted Moisturiser boosts the skin and guards against free radicals, formulated with Ginkgo a renowned tonic. Botanics Instant Glow Tinted Moisturiser contains a complex of antioxidants shown to stimulate microcirculation and protect skin, along with Echinacea which protects collagen, and reduces the visible signs of ageing. Plant extracts at levels that really work, combined and formulated for unbeatable product performance. Naturally. Authenticated by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew."
The product itself:
Some of the reviews described the appearance as 'mud-like' but to me it looks more like liquid foundation when you squeeze it out of the tube.
It's very light in texture and very easy to blend. I expected a mud-like thick texture but it isn't like that at all.
It also smells very nice. Just like a regular moisturiser to be honest, it's a slightly sweet medicated kind of smell. Don't take that the wrong way either, it's very pleasant.
The reviews claimed that it was more suitable for fair skinned people and very buildable for those with darker skin. That wasn't true for me. If I apply even the slightest bit too much I do end up looking like an orange but if I just use sparing amounts I am fine. I have to be too careful with this which was horribly disappointing as now I'll have to fuss and make sure I haven't put too much on. One day I actually applied it and went to the bathroom a minute later only to see an orange line around my chin. That was disappointing.
When I first applied it I was terrified of looking like a tangerine. The colour of the stuff in itself is enough to send a fair skinned person like me running for the lemon juice and salt. I guess I had reason to worry on that one. When applied sparingly it did give me a very natural looking complexion. It does also give you a bit of a healthy glow too so it lives up to what it says it does. It's wonderful for someone like myself in that respect because I'm so fair I often rarely have that natural glow that you get with naturally tanned/darker skin. This gives me that glow that I want.
All in all I do like it very much. I only wish it was as buildable as the reviews claimed. The best part is there's no need for me to remove it at the end of the day like I would have to with my foundation and it contains organic ingredients that take care of my skin :)
I am really pleased with it but I won't be buying it again because it's not as lightly pigmented as I originally thought. I want something I can blend into my face and even using a tiny bit too much of this made me orange and I would prefer something that didn't do that. The price is excellent though. It's good for the skin, not tested on animals and it's affordable. If you are a very tanned person this will be excellent for you. If you're fair like me, use it sparingly or it will turn you into an orange. All in all it gets a fair thumbs up from me.
I am planning to contact Boots and give them my feedback on this product and maybe they can use that to come up with something for us fair people ;)
