Ever since I first heard about, and began to use, Josie Maran Cosmetics, I’ve been wanting to try their Argan Tinted Moisturizer.
I had never used a tinted moisturizer before and the only type of foundation I had used since I was 14 was Bare Escentuals’ foundation in fair (which I no longer used because the formula seems to have changed and no longer works for me). So, I was curious! I decided to buy it finally last fall during Sephora’s F&F sale.
Josie Maran’s Tinted Moisturizer is supposed to be a moisturizer, a sheer foundation, and a SPF all in one (like any other tinted moisturizer).
I had really high hopes for this product! I used this on and off (you’ll find out why soon enough) for four months. Here’s my thoughts on it.
Pros:
1. I love the SPF 30! There are very few foundations, tinted moisturizers, etc. that have SPF 30. Most of the time you’re lucky if it’s a SPF 20. But Josie Maran Cosmetics went above and beyond and gave their tinted moisturizer SPF 30 which I love and greatly appreciate.
2. It gives a nice finish. I did really like the look of my skin when I had this product on. I did still have to use concealer over it (like most tinted moisturizers).
3. They tell you what the ingredients in the tinted moisturizer are on their website and have little symbols to tell you what it does and doesn’t have in it!
The Cons:
1. My skin broke out every time I used it. It must be at least one ingredient that they have in more than one of their products because I’ve tried a fair amount of their products and about half of them have made my skin break out. This disappointed me. Even if I only used this one day and then did not use it for days after, it still broke me out. Whether I did add a drop or two of argan oil, or when I didn’t, it just did not matter. It still broke me out.
2. The lightest shade is too dark for my skintone. I am fair (aka very pale), so I tried the color Creme, which is supposed to be for fair complexions. However, that color was really too dark for me, no matter how much or little product I used. They only have 5 shades, so they really need to expand a little.
3. It is a thick tinted moisturizer. For some, this may be a positive. However, for me, it is so thick of a consistency that I actually needed to add a couple drops of Josie Maran Argan Oil to it in my palm, mix it, and then apply it to my skin. This way it gave a nice coverage. When I didn’t mix in a couple drops, it would not spread evenly over my skin and I ended up looking streaky and kind of orange.
4. The packaging is not recyclable. No tubes can be recycled where I live (maybe they can be recycled where you live?), so I feel that their company’s ideals don’t follow through with the tinted moisturizer’s packaging.
5. It has a chemical sunscreen, not a physical sunscreen. Again, this could be a positive or a negative to you, depending on which you look for. However, I personally like to have physical sunscreens over chemical (but I was looking over that with this product because I thought I would really like it).
6. It is kind of expensive. You receive 1.7 oz. for $38. Compared to some other brands, I guess it’s kind of in the middle. However, $38 for any foundation or tinted moisturizer is more on the expensive side for me. It just really depends on whether you personally feel $38 is a decent price, or too expensive.
Conclusion:
Overall, I did really like this product, but the two things that stopped me from using this product (and I ended up giving this tinted moisturizer to my mom) were that it was breaking me out and that it was at least one shade too dark for my skin. My mom is about one shade darker than me (she is considered light complexion).
However, my mom really likes Josie Maran’s Argan Tinted Moisturizer! So, if you have light skin, (but not fair), or darker, and you don’t have acne-prone skin, I do really recommend this product for you. Sadly, it just does not agree with my skin, or skintone. I did love the finish this product gave though.
I still love Josie Maran Cosmetics, even though this product didn’t work out for me!! I like what they are trying to do and what they stand for. And there are many other Josie Maran Cosmetics products that I absolutely love~ including the 100% pure argan oil, the whipped argan oil body butters and the argan lip glosses!
As for me, I am still on the hunt for a good tinted moisturizer, or foundation that does not cause breakouts. Have any of you tried Josie Maran’s Tinted Moisturizer? What did you think? Do any of you have suggestions for a natural/organic tinted moisturizer or foundation? Please leave a comment below! I need suggestions 🙂
Have a sunny day!
~Kim
Please Note: I am not affiliated with Josie Maran Cosmetics or Sephora. Neither company sent me this product to try, nor did they compensate me for this review. I bought this product myself from Sephora during one of their sales.
Sunny Mother Nature 