Hi friends!
I absolutely love a good light coverage base, or any multi-tasking product that will both hydrate my dry skin and give me some coverage. Ever since Bobbi Brown had the absolute gall to discontinue my most favorite ever tinted moisturizer (RIP Tinted Moisturizing Balm, you gem), I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement at any price point (within reason of course).
So when Iris & Romeo reached out to ask if I wanted to try their new 5-in-1 foundation that promised lots of hydration and light coverage, I jumped at the opportunity! If you haven’t heard of the brand before, that’s no surprise – they just launched this year. They have just two products on their roster so far, and they’re all about the marriage of makeup with skincare.
DISCLAIMER: this post contains a gifted item but it is not sponsored in any way, nor was I asked to write this review.
I’ve been using this off and on for about six weeks now, so I’m ready to give my complete thoughts on the Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days. Let’s get into it!
Read this: The best tinted moisturizer for summer?
WHAT IS THE IRIS & ROMEO BEST SKIN DAYS EXACTLY?
This 5-in-1-breakthrough formula is a serum, moisturizer, sheer coverage, sunscreen, and blue light/pollution protector. An instant skin beautifier that gives natural coverage and a dewy, glowy finish, while also protecting against UVA and UVB sunlight and oxidative stress caused from blue light.
WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?
The lightweight skincare base contains moisture-attracting sodium hyaluronate that retains 1000x its weight in water making it an exceptional hydrator, and Rosa Damascena Extract, a 100% active level serum that boosts collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis. Made from the rarest rose oil in the world, Bulgarian Rose Damascena Oil, a rich source of oleic fatty acids (Omega-9), and chock full of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory properties. This skincare meets makeup game changer restores skin’s hydration, elasticity, and natural radiance for bouncier, firmer, glowing skin instantly and over time.
Protection: Broad Spectrum SPF 25 UVA/UVB, blue light, and pollution.
Vegan & cruelty-free.
MY THOUGHTS ON PACKAGING
This product is packaged in a frosted glass tub with a plastic white cap. You simply have to dip straight into the product with your finger, brush, or sponge to get it out.
While the tub itself has a very lovely feel and look, I just don’t think it’s very practical. I’m always going to prefer a pump or a squeezy tube when it comes to foundation. Less messy and more hygienic, I say. The white cap tends to get dirty with makeup-y hands too so I’m constantly cleaning it off. I’d imagine it would be difficult to travel with packaging like this as well.
RATING: 3 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON APPLICATION
This is quite a thick cream consistency, however it does blend out on me fairly easy. I’ve found the best method of application is either with your fingers (the brand actually recommends this), or with a dense, stiff brush (like a stippling brush) and a spritz of setting spray. Either way I think you really want to pat this into the skin – that’s when the formula looks it’s best, in my opinion.
The only method I wouldn’t recommend for application is a soft bristle brush, like a cheek or powder brush. The product will sit on top of the skin and not blend in correctly.
I’ve also tried applying this over a number of other products like MAC Strobe Cream, Aveeno MaxGlow Serum + Primer, and Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. It just glides over every texture really beautifully.
RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint Review
MY THOUGHTS ON COVERAGE / FINISH
If you apply one layer, you’ll get the coverage of a typical tinted moisturizer – quite sheer. But you can definitely build this formula up to what I’d say is more of a light coverage. If you prefer medium-to-full coverage products only, you’d likely be disappointed with this. But personally I love this level of coverage!
The finish is definitely radiant and very moisturizing. When you touch your skin you can feel a low level of tackiness, which lasts a good few hours. But keep in mind I never set any of my bases with powder as I’m quite dry. This is definitely more of tinted moisturizer than a traditional foundation.
Whenever I wear this product I feel like I’m having a really good skin day – just as the name would imply! Even though it’s a lighter coverage product, there’s a beautiful flawlessness to it.
RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️
Left – before application. Right – after application of one thin layer.
MY THOUGHTS ON SHADE SELECTION
I have the shade Light, which is the lightest in a very small shade range – there’s only 5 to be exact. It’s a little dark and yellow for me but since it’s such light coverage, I can totally get away with it.
I know that with tinted moisturizers it’s not always necessary to find your exact shade generally. But I think Iris & Romeo can most definitely improve their offering. Look at the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue or the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer; both have over 15 to 20 shades in different undertones.
I reached out to the brand and while they don’t have immediate plans to expand the range, it’s something they would consider in the future.
RATING: 3 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Review: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
Swatch of shade Light.
MY THOUGHTS ON WEAR
I have no qualms with the longevity on this product. It lasts on my skin for upwards of 9 hours, which is awesome. It doesn’t sit in any fine lines, bunch up, or break apart on me. It will collect a bit in the creases around my nose but literally every base I’ve used has done this; I don’t consider that a negative.
The radiant finish will fade after a few hours on the skin, but it mellows out to a more natural finish.
RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Glossier Stretch Concealer Review
MY THOUGHTS ON PRICE
There’s no way around it, this is a very luxurious product. For just over 50 mL of product the retail price is $64.00. You can think of it two ways. On one hand, it’s a 5-in-1 multi-functional product so you’re essentially getting 5 major benefits in 1 package. On the other hand, if you compare it again to the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, you pay only $47.00 for roughly the same amount of product. However, there are less benefits with the Laura Mercier than the Iris & Romeo.
Regardless, as I mentioned in my post on where to spend and save on beauty, I do believe in investing in good quality bases that you love and will wear everyday. Plus 50 mL is a lot more product than you’d think.
RATING: 4 / 5 ⭐️
FINAL THOUGHTS
Honestly I feel like the Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days was made for someone like me! I love the gorgeous radiant finish it gives my skin, and I love how nourishing it feels throughout the day. If you have dry to normal skin and are in the market for a luxurious, multi-functional tinted moisturizer, I say treat yourself to this. Or put it on your Christmas list!
Would you try the Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days? What is your favorite tinted moisturizer? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
PIN IT!
I would definitely love to try this! I love all the benefits it has so you don’t have to buy 5 separate products to get the same effect. That makes it worth that price!
I agree! It’s a lovely product especially as we go into winter and your skin gets more and more parched!
Love light coverage myself and looks great on you. So many cosmetic companies now it is sometimes overwhelming 😳.
Thanks so much! I really like this one!
Interesting kind of product. I usually stay away from products that say 2-in-1 or 3-in-1, i just dont think they work very well for me. This one sounds lovely, but the price is very steep.
It’s certainly really steep in price, which isn’t ideal at all. But I do feel like I’m giving my skin a treat when I put it on. And I’m not kidding when I say there’s a flawlessness to it despite it being a lighter coverage – it’s insane!
Sometimes less is more. And I’ve loved light coverage formulas for a long time, full coverage doesnt make my skin look good lol.
I think with base that’s absolutely true. A mask of makeup doesn’t look good on anybody at any age!
I’ve never really used a tinted moisturizer before but my favorite tinted BB cream is by Marcelle. I also prefer a squeeze tube or pump for my foundation/all skin care but, the finish looks SO nice on your skin & love that it goes over all other makeup flawlessly. I wasn’t expecting it to be priced that high though! I thought it was going to be in the $25-$35 range.
I’m a tinted moisturizer fanatic personally! It’s definitely very luxury, there’s no doubt. It’s the type of base I use all the time, but I wish it were at least slightly more affordable. They did have an amazing Black Friday sale a few weeks back though – 25% off.
I have been looking for something to replace Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizing Balm too! So far I just kind find the right product. I read your review but do you think this is a good alternative? I have a 20 percent off so was going to try it.
Hi there! Thanks so much for reading! How disappointing about the Bobbi Brown, right? I do think the Best Skin Days is a good alternative to the Bobbi Brown. I wouldn’t say it’s a definite dupe though – for example, the Bobbi Brown texture was thinner and the finish definitely more dewy. But regardless, it’s a great base that has a natural yet beautifying effect on the skin. Lots of hydration too. Hope this helps!
Yes…Bobbi Brown so disappointing! Thank you, I think this helped. I ordered and I am going to try it out! Thanks so much for replying. I will let you know how it goes. Meanwhile…if you find anything else else let us know!!
Oh nice! Please do let me know if you like it! Glad to have helped. Of course 😉.
Has anyone asked why they added alcohol to this formula? the alcohol is listed quite high on the ingredients list and I’ve actually found the product to be quite drying. Why would they ruin a really fabulous formula with the addition of alcohol? other really great skin care companies have found a way around not using alcohol in formulas and it seems like they would be on The cutting edge of this.
Thank you for reading! I was not aware that alcohol was a top ingredient in this formula, but I must admit that I don’t check the ingredient list in every product I use, at least not right away. But if you have sensitive skin or are just more conscious of things like that, I could see why there would be a question. Personally I have not found this formula to be drying on my skin, and I do have quite dry skin to begin with.
However, you should definitely send the brand a DM over Instagram asking about this; they are usually quite quick to respond. If you’re not on Instagram, just let me know and I can reach out to them for you!