Review: Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

While on my search for a great tinted moisturizer, I recently realized I had a gem in my makeup case that I had hardly touched since I received it as a gift months ago. Feeling terrible about it, I whipped it out and have been wearing it on a weekly basis ever since!

Yes, I've finally found a Stila product I love! Keep reading for my full review of Stila's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15.

Product Description: "Skin instantly looks softer and younger with this handy multi-tasker. It delivers a hint of sheer coverage, subtle shimmer, SPF 15 and added moisture in one effortless application. Perfect for everyday use, the silky formula blends beautifully for a pretty, luminous look."

Prize: $32/1.7 oz.

Results: I held off on seriously trying this product for a while because I hadn't yet realized the potential of tinted moisturizers. I was always a moisturizer-and-foundation kind of girl, so combining the two products into one felt unnatural to me. If you find a quality tinted moisturizer, however, eliminating the extra step is not only convenient, but saves time (and possibly money) as well!

Stila's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 is one such product. While pricey, it actually lives up to its claims - it softens, moisturizes, brightens, and protects, all in one easy, quick step.

The product comes in a simple squeeze tube, eliminating waste and potential health hazards that can come with other forms of packaging (such as pump tops or built-in sponge/brush applicators), which I really appreciate. You can squeeze out the exact amount of product that you want, without having to worry about getting too much.

The texture of this tinted moisturizer is very creamy and thick; probably more so than any other I've tried. This can make it difficult to spread across your skin, so I suggest warming it between your hands first. This should help reduce any pulling or tugging of the skin that might happen when you're working the product into your face.

Because the formulation is so thick, though, it also works great as a replacement for your everyday moisturizer. However, oily skin types might find that it is too greasy feeling, and some have said it may also cause acne. If your skin isn't exfoliated often enough, it will not sink in as well, either, and may feel heavy.

The coverage is good for a tinted moisturizer, sheer and light with a hint of color, and does a nice job of concealing redness. It also has an instant brightening, or "illuminating," effect, providing an excellent pick-me-up for tired-looking skin. I was a little put off at first because it simply made my face seem shiny, but after it sank in, I was left with a pretty, more subtle glow. (Hint: if the shine is still too much for you, try a light dusting of translucent powder to tone it down! This will also help keep oil away.)

One major downside is that the product is only available in two shades. Shade 1 is said to be ideal for light to medium skintones, while shade 2 is intended for darker skin; but it appears the choices for women of color are very limited, seeing that both colors look fairly similar. This is disappointing, considering Stila's other line of tinted moisturizers comes in 10 different shades.

The other drawback is, of course, the price. $32 for 1.7 ounces is definitely not within the budgets of many. And as you probably know, I wouldn't pay this kind of money for a product on a regular basis. However, I highly recommend looking into buying one of Stila's many sets, which often include this product (sometimes full-size) and are an amazing value.

Also keep an eye out on beautycrunch, where you can often grab discontinued Stila sets for even less!

All in all, I enjoyed this product for its quality and multi-tasking abilities. It moisturizes, softens, and brightens, providing me with a great option on days when I'm in a hurry, but still want to look fresh and luminous. I'm currently searching for a budget equivalent, but for now, I'll definitely continue using this!