Review: e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 in Nude

I have a secret to share with you, my lovelies. While testing and reviewing the Maybelline BB Cream and the L'Oreal BB Cream, I've also been quietly testing out some tinted moisturizers. Since US BB creams are basically just tinted moisturizers with a few added skin benefits (compared to Asian BB creams which tend to be true all-in-one products), I thought I'd put some actual tinted moisturizers to the test and let you know how they stack up to the US BB creams that have flooded the market as of late.

So today I'd like to share my thoughts with you about the new e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer SPF20, which I purchased for $3 at my local Target several weeks ago. 

I've heard that e.l.f. is going to be coming out with a BB Cream soon, but compared to the US BB creams I've tried over the past few months, I'm not quite sure that  e.l.f. needs to make a BB cream. I find that the e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer is VERY MUCH like a US BB Cream and, dare I say, even better? Keep reading to find out:

 e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 in Nude

(retail: $3, 0.88 oz)

 e.l.f. is notorious for inaccurate color swatches on their products, so I LOVE that they added a description to each shade in this range. It's SO helpful. I knew that Nude was my best bet after reading the description above.

To see all SEVEN (yes, seven!) shades in the range, click here.

 

The full ingredient list, from the e.l.f. website:

ACTIVE: Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Isopalmitate, Titanium Dioxide.
INACTIVE: Water, Mineral Oil, Cyclomethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Steareth-21 Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-2, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparabem, Tocopherol(VE), Retinyl Acetate(VA), Ascorbyk Palmitate(VC), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, MAY CONTAIN: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) 

Before and after:

Texture, consistency and ease of application: The texture of this product is thin, but it's not super watery or hard to apply. It's got the consistency of a light moisturizer (not heavy or waxy-feeling) and it spreads across the skin quite easily. I prefer to use my fingers for application and I haven't had any issues with spotty or uneven coverage.

Finish, coverage and staying power: I would say that the finish of this product is right in the middle between the Maybelline BB Cream and the L'Oreal BB Cream. It's nowhere near as "dewy" as the Maybelline BB Cream, but it also doesn't have the matte finish of the L'Oreal BB Cream. Put it this way: if the Maybelline BB Cream left your face a little too "dewy", then you will love the finish of the e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer. It feels like it's got a little bit of shine control to it, without looking matte. As for coverage, I'd say it's right on par with the Maybelline BB Cream, if not a tad bit more opaque. For a tinted moisturizer, the coverage is seriously impressive, as it works quite well to even out my redness and hide minor imperfections. It doesn't do much to decrease the appearance of my pores, but it also doesn't settle into my pores (or my fine lines). This product manages to make my face look dewy and healthy without looking greasy. And unlike the Maybelline BB Cream, I can get a full 7-8 hours of wear from this product if I set it with powder after application. This is quite impressive for a tinted moisturizer (or for a US BB Cream, for that matter!).

Fragrance: I detect very little scent from this product--there is no perfume to it and I cannot smell it at all during application. I literally have to put my nose right up to the tube to smell anything, and even then I only get just the faintest "lotion base" scent--it's basically void of fragrance.

Ingredients: This product has an SPF of 20 with UVA/UVB sun protection. I like that it contains, among other active ingredients, 5% Titanium Dioxide. The only downside to this product that I can find is that it does contain a good amount of mineral oil (the second ingredient on the list after water). If you are sensitive to mineral oil (I know that some people break out from mineral oil but thankfully I don't), you'll definitely want to skip this one. Also, this product contains two forms of parabens (in case you're trying to avoid those too).

FINAL VERDICT: Overall, I find very little difference between the e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer and some of the BB creams that are currently in US drugstores. In fact, if the name of this product were "e.l.f. BB Cream SPF20" I wouldn't blink an eye, and I'd probably call it my favorite US BB Cream to date. Sure, it's not perfect (those who are sensitive to mineral oil won't be reaching for this one), but it performs much better on my oily skin than the Maybelline BB Cream (my oily skin devours the Maybelline BB Cream in just a few hours). At just $3 for 0.88 oz (vs. Maybelline BB Cream at $8.49 for 1.0 oz), it's a steal as well. The shade Nude is a great color match for my MAC NC20 skintone--it evens out my redness and provides the same amount of coverage as the Maybelline BB Cream (maybe even a tad bit more). In the unbearable heat we've been experiencing on the West Coast lately, I find myself reaching for this product over my BB creams when I want to skip my moisturizer and not wear a heavy foundation. Add a light dusting of powder on top and I'm good to go and looking good for several hours, even in extreme heat (which is more than I can say for any of the US BB creams I own). If you're OK with the ingredients, then I say give this one a shot. Especially if the various US drugstore BB creams have let you down.

Do you already own the new e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF20? Thoughts?