When I discovered the Korres Bronze & Protect Trio at my local Sephora (click here) I was impressed by the price tag.  For just under $30, I could try a full size bronzer, full size tinted moisturizer with SPF, and a generous sample size of silicone free primer.  SOLD!

My only gripe about this set:  it only comes in TWO colors, Sunglow Light, and Sunglow Warm.  Since I’m super fair skinned, I was nervous that the ‘light’ tinted moisturizer would not be fair enough for me.  Luckily it is just right– despite looking a lot darker in the tube than my other foundations.  Somehow it blends out to perfection.  However, this is a big failure on Korres part to not provide ample color selection.  All of us do not fit into “light” and “warm”.  I just happened to luck out and find a shade match.  Outside of this set, I do believe that the Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer comes in additional shades, but I’m not convinced that that range is sufficient either.

So why tinted moisturizer?  Since my current foundation options of NARS Sheer Glow and MAC MSF Natural do not contain SPF, I was on a quest to find a solid tinted moisturizer with built in sun protection for summer.  Sometimes I don’t have time to let solo sunscreen properly sink in pre-foundation, and other times the SPF simply feels too heavy in the heat layered under makeup.  The Korres version has a faint initial watermelon scent, but that dissipates within one minute.  It contains a broad spectrum SPF of 30, which is ideal for me!  I only need a pea size amount to do my entire face– my tip with this is that a tiny bit goes a LONG way!  It looks more natural to use less product.  The formula does dry quickly, so keep that in mind while applying.  Typically I insist on using brushes, but fingers work best with this product as your natural body heat helps it blend flawlessly into the skin.

To apply: Dot a pea size amount on the back of the hand, and take a bit from that with your fingers.  Work from the center of your face outward blending the product into you skin.  I start with my forehead, then get a bit more product from the pea sized dollop on my fingers, and move to my nose, chin, and then inner to outer cheeks and down my jawline.  Working in sections is key to the product not drying out on you!

Korres face products are chock full of natural ingredients, and free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and phthalates (just to name a few!).  I’ve heard a few skin horror stories surrounding some of the silicone based primers on the market, so I was thrilled to learn that Korres’ version was silicone free AND full of vitamin E.  It is absolutely LOVELY!  It smells slightly of orange, which I adore.  You need only a small pea size amount of product for the entire face, just a bit less than the foundation.  I’ve worn this under the tinted moisturizer, under MAC MSF Natural, and under NARS Sheer Glow.  I’ve used it in place of moisturizer, as well.  Not one instance of caking!  It works very well– the skin’s surface is left even and soft.  It does a decent job of minimizing pores, as well.

Lastly, the Monoi Oil Bronzer.  It’s slightly shimmery, and a bit darker (and softer texture wise) than my beloved MAC Golden.  It doesn’t appear muddy or orange on my skintone.  The compact is impressively solid, and contains a nice mirror.  You get a large amount of product as well.  For me, it works best dusted on the high points of the face– forehead, sides of the nose, just under the cheekbones sweeping up through the temples.

I have found my new favorite tinted moisturizer and primer, and a nice bronzer to boot.  So very worth it!

What are your holy grail tinted moisturizers and primers?

XO

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