Review: CG Smoothers Aqua Tinted Moisturizer

After being a strictly powder foundation kind of gal for the last 5 years or so, I decided to try tinted moisturizer for the first time about 2 weeks ago.  After hearing so many great things about ELF Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, I went ahead and bought it.  There were lots and lots of great things about it!  It was lightweight, blended well with and evened out my skin tone, had built-in sunscreen, smelled good, and  worked great with my combination skin.  Unfortunately, after about one week of use, I had more zits than I've ever gotten all at once in years.  It just didn't work with my chemistry.  As much as I wanted to love it, I had to kiss it goodbye.

This is a dramatization.  If I actually looked like that, I don't think I'd be smiling.

I'm not talking bad about ELF, they're one of my top 5 favorite cosmetic companies.  However, no product line is without flaws and I need to be honest about what works for me and what doesn't.

I wasn't going to give up on tinted moisturizers.  I'm hooked on how healthy, hydrated, and great-looking my complexion is when I use it.  I've mentioned before that I have bad combination skin: dry and flaky in some parts, and oily in others.  So when using a tinted moisturizer in conjunction with a translucent powder, I solve the combination skin problem.  I did some more research and found that CG Smoothers Aqua Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, by CoverGirl, was very highly recommended, even more so than the ELF brand.  I picked up a tube in Light to Medium from my local Target for about $6.50.  More than twice the price of ELF, but not expensive by any means.

While there, I also picked up an ELF Essential Foundation Brush for $1.

I used to have a foundation brush awhile ago, but it went missing somehow.  I forgot what a great way it was to apply foundation!  No waste from being soaked up in a sponge, efficient because I can squeeze product from the tube right onto the brush, AND I get to keep my hands clean! :D  Wheeeeeee!

I finished by applying ELF Studio Translucent Matifying Powder with the ELF Studio Kabuki Brush.  This is what I can say about CG Smoothers Aqua Tinted Moisturizer so far:

1. lightweight
2. blends well with and evens out skin tone
3. fragrance-free
4. built in SPF 15

Most importantly, it's advertised as non-comedogenic.  That's right, it does not clog pores!  This is essential to pimple prevention.  I've been using it for about 3-4 days now and have not even experienced a shadow of a zit.  With the ELF brand, I got one after about 2 days and 3 more after a week.  I think this is it for me, yay!

Also, while it's about $3-$4 more than ELF, you actually get more product per tube.  When I do the math, ELF tinted moisturizer comes out to $4.29 per ounce.  CG's tinted moisturizer comes out to about $4.85 per ounce...not that much of a difference, really.  Love it!  If all goes well, I'm going to be using this stuff FOREVER!