READER BEAUTY QUESTION - TINTED MOISTURIZER FOR DARK SKIN

My fabulous Fashion Stylist friend, Kalyn Johnson of the style blog "Possess Your Style" recently emailed me with a makeup emergency.  The tinted moisturizer that she loved and used for years has been discontinued so she needs recommendations for her deeper skin tone.  Her questions seemed liked a great "Reader Beauty Question" to feature on my blog since alot of women of color don't like to wear foundation but want some coverage. Tinted moisturizer gives women the moisture that their skin needs along with a sheer wash of color that blends beautifully.  See below for my top picks of tinted moisturizer for women with deeper skin tones.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Alison Raffaele - Tinted Moisturizer in "Dark"  ($35)

Perfect for daytime, the minerals in this lightweight, oil-free moisturizer provide a natural, physical barrier against harmful UVA / UVB rays. Medium coverage with a matte finish.

Bobbi Brown - SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer  in "Dark Tint" & "Deep Tint"  ($40.00)
The perfect alternative to foundation for a more casual look. This tint of natural-looking color combined with sun protection blends smoothly over skin, and moisturizes while providing lightweight, comfortable, sheer coverage. Best for Normal to Dry skin types.

Laura Mercier - Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer Deeper shades: "Almond", "Caramel", "Tan", "Walnut" & "Mocha"  ($42)
This lightweight foundation that can be reapplied as necessary, offers sun protection for sensitive or acne prone skin, oil control, and provides hydration to prevent dryness.

Stila - Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15   Deeper shades: "Bronze", "Warm" "Deep" & "Dark" ($34) 
Reveal the true you with flawless, even-looking skin, with this light, barely-there coverage.  Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer is an instant skin illuminator, combining a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15, and provides barely-there coverage.

Smashbox - Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer  Deeper shades: "Medium" & "Dark"  ($30)
A lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturizer packed with vitamins and anti-aging peptides for naturally radiant skin. The formula nourishes as it absorbs excess oil throughout the day, and UVA/UVB SPF 15 guards against future damage so skin stays flawless and protected.

Boots No7 - Soft & Sheer Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 in "Medium" & "Dark"  ($11.99)
The sheer wash of barely there color will give you a radiant natural glow and even out your skin tone. It contains SPF 15 sunscreen to help protect your skin from the aging effects of the sun and moisturizes for up to 12 hours.

mark - Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion SPF 15  in "Almond/Mocha"  ($9)
A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with just enough color to even out your skin tone and give the appearance of a healthy glow. The unique skin-balancing formula hydrates while it helps prevent shine in those spots prone to excess oil.


I hope this post helps not only Kalyn but other "Karen's World of Beauty Readers."  Please let me know if you have any beauty questions you'd like answered.  Feel free to email me directly or you can leave your question as a Comment to this post. Who knows...you might be featured in the next blog post featuring a "Reader Beauty Question!"

GET GLOWING GIRL!

Spring is finally here and summer will be upon us shortly so now is the time to get gorgeous glowing skin. Here are my picks of the most beautiful bronzer products out there for all skin tones and types in a range of prices from high to low. Go get yours now!

POWDER:
Givenchy - Prismissime Mat & Glow (A checkerboard array of colors to add a sunny glow to the face. Choose your texture—matte or pearly—to personalize your luminous look. Blend, shade, or apply in touches for a variety of sculpting, illuminating, and perfecting effects.) $53


CARGO – Bronzer (A powder bronzed that uses just the right amount of shimmer to create gorgeous, glowing skin. It comes in a variety of shades to cover just about everyone. This is one of my favorite products!) $25Physicians Formula - Baked Bronzer (A bronzing and shimmery face powder baked on Italian terracotta tiles that can be used wet or dry. Sparkling bronze pigments are marbleized into a matte powder to create a radiant sheen.) $11.95

**NOTE: This brand has a wide variety of bronzing products in a various formulations and they are affordable! Next time you’re in a chain drugstore or Wal-Mart check them out. You won’t be sorry!
CREAM:
NARS - The Multiple (The original all-in-one, cream-to-powder, multi-purpose makeup stick that highlights, sculpts and warms the skin.) *New Bronzer shades: Tuomota, Malaysia and Rapa Nui. Original Bronzer shades: Palm Beach, South Beach and St. Barts. $37


Josie Maran - Cream Bronzer (An ultra-light cream bronzer that gives you a natural bronzed glow. This innovative formula contains natural and organic ingredients and no fragrances or parabens.) $30
Maybelline – Dream Matte Mouse Bronzer (Air-whipped soft mousse bronzer that blends into the skin like a dream.) $5.99
LIQUID:
Fresh - High Noon Freshface Glow (A liquid bronzer that illuminates and plumps the skin while camouflaging small imperfections. It instantly revives the complexion, delivering a hint of sun-kissed radiance to variety of skin tones.) $36

Sugar Cosmetics - Tropic Tan Illuminating Liquid Bronzer (A waterproof liquid body bronzer that gives your skin a shimmery glow that won't budge—whether you're in the water or not. Perfect for the beach or pool!) (Original Price $35) $17.50
Organic Wear - Liquid Bronzer (Lightweight tinted moisturizer that hydrates and evens out skin tone with sheer, natural coverage) *Comes in 3 shades $10.95
SPRAY/MIST:
Guerlain - Terracotta Spray SPF 10 (An ultra-light mist bronzer that gives you a temporary sunny radiance.) *Comes in 2 shades (001Light & 002Medium) $59
Fusion Beauty - GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Face & Body Natural Protein Tan (A revolutionary new self-tanning technology that delivers your perfect shade of sun-kissed skin via a clear, all natural, fast drying, and odor-free self-tanning mist.) * Comes in 2 shades (Light & Medium) $58
Sephora Brand Body - Self-Tanning Tinted Bronzing Mist (A tinted self-tanning mist for use on the entire body.) $12
GEL:
Clarins - Self Tanning Instant Gel (A lightweight and non-oily self-tanning gel that promotes a natural, golden tan for face and body without sun exposure.) $32

Boots No7 – Instant Sunshine Shimmer Gel (A pot of glimmering gold gel that set your skin aglow.) $11.99