I suspect that both of these bad gals will be good to the last drop! (Side note: what’s the last sunscreen you finished?) I’m well on my way to finishing both of the new liquid lotion mineral sunscreens from Avene because they’re THAT good.
Like many makeup huntresses, I’m always on the prowl… I’m always looking for that elusive “no-makeup makeup” skin — just the barest hint coverage, with just enough tint or pigment to even things out a touch, but to find something that delivers a no-makeup makeup look, offers brilliant sun protection, feels light as a feather and leaves absolutely no white cast behind? That’s the stuff of legend, or perhaps just an internet rumor, or a figment of a beauty lover’s imagination… Or is it? I’m starting to believe that the new Avene Solaire sunscreens are as close to “the one” as you can get, and, yes, in case you were wondering, both of them create the most natural-looking dewy finish, so secret admirers will assume your supernatural glow is a natural, rare gift from the heavens above.
Essentially, these are all that and a bag of cheese puffs. After I work in the lotion (it’s very thin and absorbs super quickly), no greasy goo is ever left behind, and my eyes don’t sting, not even after I sweat.
In the tinted version, rather than the typical too-pink beige that seems to be the go-to color of most tinted sunscreens, Avene opted for a darker medium tone. It looks more like a bronzer at first glance, but it should suit most skin tones based on the comments on the Avene website, as long as one blends it in thoroughly. I’m a tan gal, and the tint and sheer coverage are absolute perfection for me.
INGREDIENTS, TINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALUCYLATE, METHYLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLGYCLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDROXYSTEATEARATE/SEBACATE, NIACINAMIDE, NYLTON-12, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, IRON OXIDES, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALUS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.INGREDIENTS, UNTINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALICYLATE, METHLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDRIXYSTEARATE/ SEBACATE, NYLON-12, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DOPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEOL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.
The dry patches and pimples I get sometimes (those jerks), which will avail themselves of any excuse to pop off, haven’t made an appearance when I’ve used either of these sunscreens, so I’ll be keeping them close for the rest of the summer, and perhaps the rest of my life?! That’s a grand statement, but dang, ’tis good stuff.
Oh, yeah, in case you were wondering how the tinted version compares to Bliss Block Star (another rock star tinted mineral sunscreen), Avene’s has a dewy finish, while Block Star is matte. Avene also has a higher SPF at 50+ compared to Block Star’s 30. Both are great, though!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The tinted sunscreen looks fantastic on your skin. I have been using Alba Botanica Face Shield SPF 45 and the LM Tinted Moisturizer all summer. They seem to work well together and it is my “no-makeup” makeup look.
Be well.
Thanks, Jane! I haven’t tried any Alba Botanica sunscreens; glad to hear that they’re good!
Have a lovely rest of your day.
Did you ever try the Australian Gold? I though you’d picked that up at some point . Would love to know your thoughts.
I did, and I didn’t like it at all. 🙁 It was super drying and felt heavy on my skin. I did like the shade of the tint though!
Thanks for responding! I have super oily skin so I don’t find it drying at all. It’s one of the only mineral sunscreens without alcohol that doesn’t have me looking like a greaseball by noon.
You and I have similar coloring so I try lots of things you like but it’s helpful to know that if you find something too drying it might be right up my alley.
I’m so glad to hear you liked it. I loved the finish and the color but dang, I didn’t even have it on my skin for an hour and I had to wash it off.
Have you ever tried Ulta’s tinted mineral sunscreen? It’s a hidden gem!
I haven’t, but after reading your review I put it on my list to try once I get through my stash.
Have an awesome weekend!
Just finished a bottle of Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense UV Fluid SPF 45 Sunscreen. It worked well under foundation. Didn’t hate it, it was just kinda expensive for a 1-ounce bottle at $48.
Also finished a Kanebo Allie Gel sunscreen SPF 50, that I got in Japan. I like this one because it’s rub resistant, so it stays on well even when I’m wearing a mask. I only have two small travel tubes left that Dear Husband bought last February before the travel ban.
I think I will try to find the untinted Avene to try after this. The tinted one will definitely be way too dark for me.
I think the Avène product line is a little different over here in the UK, but I’ve been using the 50+spf “mineral fluid” (both the non-tinted and the tinted – I mix them to get a good color for my skin, and can adjust darker or lighter depending on my tan). I LOVE THEM. The protection is amazing and if I rub it between my hands a little before I apply, it blends in seamlessly. Love love love.
And in response to your side note: I just finished a bottle of Clinique’s mineral sunscreen! I love that stuff. I also want to try out the mineral Sun Bum you keep talking about – just need to figure out where to buy it here in the British Isles, haha!
That’s a genius idea to mix the two! I’m going to try that sometime soon!
BTW I’ve used that mineral sunscreen by Clinique and loved it too. 🙂
The last sunscreen I finished was one by Garnier – lovely texture and incredibly affordable, which is the best combo for applying and reapplying over and over again.
I’ve heard the Avene sunscreens are good, but after your comments about them I will really have to try them ! Right now I’m hooked on a Goop sunscreen- the City Serum sunscreen.
Also, I love your earrings- are those bird of paradise flowers? From Hawaii maybe? I so love all the Hawaiian flowers.