Photo: Courtesy of Ciele
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In our current beauty era where “glass skin” and “no-makeup” makeup reigns supreme, I’ve officially become a devoted skin tint convert. These days I’m reaching for lightweight tinted serums and sunscreens (bonus points for skin-care-and-makeup hybrids!) in favor of my former flames: full-coverage foundations. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a full-face beat, but skin tints deliver that soft-filter finish without all the extra steps. As for the latest shining star in my ever-growing stash of skin tints, Ciele’s Tint & Protect SPF 50+ Tinted Serum has emerged as my must-have multitasker.
I initially picked up Ciele’s tinted serum for its impressive mineral SPF 50+, but I’ll admit I was slightly skeptical of its claim of achieving a “seamless second-skin” finish. As a member of the acne-prone club, some lightweight skin tint formulas have disappeared without a trace on my skin, allowing spots to shine through, or worse, further emphasized my textured skin. However, Ciele’s SPF-spiked formula — and more importantly, its buildable coverage — boasts a natural-looking finish that doubles as an IRL filter.
Adding a slightly dewy glow to the skin, the tinted serum’s breathable, light-to-medium coverage bridges the gap between full-coverage and “no-makeup” makeup fans for a customizable wear. I’ve easily built up coverage when I’m noticing extra spots without veering into cake-y territory, but it’s also just as effective as a lightweight, balancing touch of coverage for everyday use.
Alongside its built-in mineral SPF, Ciele’s tinted serum is formulated with skin-boosting ingredients such as allantoin (for moisturizing and soothing), bisabolol (for calming and reducing redness) and niacinamide (for reducing the appearance of pores). It’s also acne-safe, per the brand, and fragrance-free. On top of that, it held up against my oily skin for the whole day with minimal smudging from my wide-framed glasses.
This serum checks a lot of my beauty boxes, but the dropper applicator can take some getting used to (yes, I accidentally spilled some on my shirt on my first application). I recommend distributing some product onto the back of your hand before going in with your applicator of choice to save your clothes from the same fate. Like most beauty brands crafting color complexion products, Ciele could really stand to improve on its shade inclusivity: The brand currently offers 13 shades, with beauty influencer Golloria noting that its deepest shade (13 Deep) is far too light for her skin tone — and appears inconsistent with the model’s skin shown on the brand’s website.
I’d also offer an official reminder that while sunscreen-spiked makeup is great for an added layer of UV protection, experts caution that it typically doesn’t provide the proper dose of coverage (since we typically don’t use enough of it or re-apply it often enough) on its own.
Will I ever return to full-coverage foundation? I’m sure I’ll revisit my old favorites every now and again, but this featherlight tinted serum has edged its way into my base routine for good.
Ciele’s Tint & Protect SPF 50+ Tinted Serum, $44, available here.
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Source: Fashionista.com
