Review: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

Hi friends!

It’s been a while since I’ve written exclusively about a base product on here but that’s simply because I wasn’t using anything new for quite a long time in my routine. Or I wasn’t using much base at all to be honest, besides concealer. However, I am always interested in finding the best, most affordable tinted moisturizer out there so a few weeks back I picked up the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue from Sephora. (Click here to read the post where I hauled this product.) I’ve been using it quite consistently since then so I’m ready to present you with my review!

Note: all text under the next two sections was sourced from the Bare Minerals website. There’s a wealth of info about on this product on there (I didn’t include everything here), so if you’re interested go check it out.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

• $30.00 for 35 ml of product

Oil-free tinted face moisturizer boosts hydration, protects with non-chemical mineral-based broad spectrum SPF 30, and evens out your complexion with dewy, natural-looking coverage. It’s the multi-tasking makeup you need in your life!

Our hydrating gel cream blends effortlessly onto skin and allows you to build coverage from sheer to medium, with a naturally radiant finish.

PRODUCT BENEFITS

Titanium dioxide mineral sunscreen gives you safe and effective non-chemical protection from damaging UVA/UVB rays. Plant-derived squalane and energizing mineral electrolytes quench dry skin with all-day hydration that feels light and refreshing.

• Non-comedogenic
• Non-acnegenic
• Hypoallergenic
• Dermatologist-tested
• Formulated without parabens, binders or fillers
• None of our products are tested on animals (100% cruelty-free)

FREE OF:

• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Fragrance
• Chemical sunscreens
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Mineral oil
• Triclosan
• Formaldehyde
• Talc
• Gluten
• Animal-derived ingredients

WHO IS THIS PRODUCT FOR?

I think this product is for anyone who, like me, has dry skin and who does not gravitate towards full–coverage base products on the day-to-day (i.e. someone who doesn’t want or need a lot of coverage or who wants to put on their base in one minute or less). However, it could also be useful to someone who likes layering their base products; so then this product would be the first layer underneath a more fuller coverage foundation perhaps. Lastly, those who are new to makeup or are young teenagers might also like this product.

HOW I USE & APPLY THIS PRODUCT

I use this as my main base product with nothing layered on top (with the exception of a higher-coverage concealer in certain places). As the instructions on the back of the product recommend, I use my fingertips to dot and blend this into my skin. I gravitate between using a pea–sized amount or a more generous quarter–sized amount. Sometimes I use stippling motions to get the greatest coverage; sometimes I blend it in like I would a moisturizer. I found using a beauty sponge can take away whatever coverage this product offers since sponges tend to absorb product. I have not tried applying this with a brush.

MY THOUGHTS ON…

Packaging: I absolutely love the packaging on this. It’s a squeezy tube which makes it really easy to control how much product comes out. It’s totally clean & hygenic as well.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

Application: This blends right into my skin without very much effort. A few swipes of my finger and I’m set. Easy-peasy. Bare Minerals calls this a “gel cream” consistency but I’d say it’s just a cream consistency of average thickness. It feels quite moisturizing on application as well.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

Coverage: Let’s face it, when you buy this product you know what you’re getting into. It’s a tinted moisturizer which is going to give you sheer coverage at the very best. While Bare Minerals says this can build from “sheer to medium” coverage, I’m not so sure about that. I’ve been able to build up a little coverage in the areas I need it, but not enough to say “medium coverage” in my opinion. Perhaps if you apply it with a brush you could build it up to medium, but I personally haven’t experienced that. That being said, I’m totally ok with sheer coverage cause that’s what I signed up for! I’d rather add coverage where I need it with concealer.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Finish: This product gives me a very natural, slightly glowy finish. However the glowiness subsides once the product settles into the skin. There is also no tackiness once it sets into the skin, so it doesn’t make my skin feel nearly as plumped or moisturized as the Bobbi Brown SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm does (full review here).

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Shade Selection: There are 16 shades in differing undertones to choose from in this line, with most shades falling into the light to medium category. Typically brands don’t bring out as many shades in tinted moisturizer formulas since they’re largely sheer coverage products. However in this case since Bare Minerals claims this product can be built from “sheer to medium,” there really should be more tan-to-dark shades represented then. I don’t see why there can’t be like 20 – 25 shades in this line.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

Longevity: Despite its lightweight nature, this lasts on me quite well throughout the day without any powdering. I don’t notice much, if any, fading at all. But do keep in mind two things: 1) I have dry skin, and 2) I’ve only been wearing this in the cooler fall weather when everything tends to stay put on me perfectly.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

Price: You pay $30.00 for 35 ml of SPF 30, hydration & sheer coverage with this product. While I’d love for this to be a few dollars cheaper, I personally think that’s a fair price. Chances are if you think tinted moisturizers are unnecessary or overpriced, you’re not buying them at all. But let’s quickly compare the Complexion Rescue to other high-end tinted moisturizers. Both the NARS & Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizers are $45.00 for about 50 ml of product, respectively; the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream is $38.00 for 32 ml of product. And let’s not forget the insanely overpriced (but oh so gorgeous) SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm from Bobbi Brown: $60.00 for 30 ml of product! Taking all this into consideration, I don’t think Bare Minerals is overcharging for the Complexion Rescue.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

FINAL THOUGHTS

All in all I think this is a very nice product for those that love or like tinted moisturizers. It’s extremely user–friendly and low–maintenance to apply and wear. I just wish it made my skin look a bit dewier than it does (I’m still really hung up on my beloved Bobbi Brown product, I can’t help it!). If you’re not into tinted moisturizers, I’d say skip this altogether and spend your $30.00 elsewhere. I’d really love to find a great drugstore tinted moisturizer, so if you know one please pop it down in the comments below!

*Shop the Complexion Rescue range here.

Have you tried this product before? If so, what did you think? I’d love to know!

xo, Erica

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