Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF20

Lately, my skin has been looking horrendous: dull, lifeless, and totally devoid of any sort of glow. Even my Clarisonic Mia 2 can’t bring life back to my complexion these days. So last week, I got a sample of Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 ($32) at Sephora, and tossed it into my makeup bag without thinking twice about it. Over the weekend, I dug it out and decided to give it a whirl. INSTANT LOVE.

Although it looks like nothing great in its tiny tube, this tinted moisturizer is all I need to breathe life back into my skin. (If you have normal skin with no serious acne problems, I bet it will have the same effect on you.) There was just enough super subtle shimmer in it to make my whole face glow, while evening out my skin tone and masking imperfections. But this isn’t chunky or even highly-pigmented shimmer; if you’ve ever used MAC Strobe Cream, it contains less shimmer than that (and definitely less than most luminizers). But here’s the beauty of it: it doesn’t look shimmery on the face at all. It just makes my skin look glowy, pretty, and refreshed. I honestly can’t say enough good things about this stuff; this will for sure be a makeup bag staple for me.

There’s more after the jump.

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Redpoint Airbrush Effects Blushwhip

Looking for a creamy, that will saturate your cheeks in lit-from-within color? Try Redpoint Airbrush Effects Blushwhip ($14), a light-as-air cream blush. The blush is actually a cream-gel hybrid that glides on cheeks smoothly for a weightless finish. I really like the soft, cushiony texture of this blush…it’s not too firm or tacky, like some other cream blushes. You can blend it to a natural finish without it skidding across your skin (gross, but this really does happen with certain cream blushes and cheekstains). The end result is a pretty glow that brings out your inner radiance with a touch of color.

Redpoint specializes in anti-aging cosmetics, so their products are infused with good-for-your-skin ingredients. Blushwhip contains peptides and Dermaxyl, which fights fine lines and wrinkles. It also moisturizes and helps to firm up the cheek area. Makeup that improves your skin as you wear it…how bad could that be?

Available in 2 shades: Vida, a light pink, and Glow, a peachy hue.