What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
ANNOYING FACTOID OF THE DAY: Ya know…I bought a $50 YSL face tint at the Sephora VIB sale, and I don’t like it anywhere near as much as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint.
Grrr…
Hydro Boost is so, SO good. I started using it when it came out about a year ago, and I’ve been wearing it off and on ever since.
As I’m sure I’ve mentioned (a zillion times), I have combo skin. Some parts are dry, others are oily, and even though I’m a little irked that Neutrogena raised the price from $14.99 to $16.99 in that time, whenever I wear this stuff I remember why it’s one of the best drugstore foundations out there (right up there with L’Oreal True Match Lumi).
It feels like nothing at all, keeps your skin looking like actual, you know, human skin, and it looks just as amazing in pics as it does in real life, even outside on a sunny day!
As a tint, it starts off sheer, but you can build it up to medium. You can’t really push it further than that, though, unless you mix in a concealer (and, if you do that, I recommend Make Up For Ever Ultra HD because they blend very well together).
Hydro Tint has a natural demi-matte finish, so it reflects light ever so slightly, and it also has a slight pore-blurring effect. Very similar to the awesome (and more expensive) NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tints, but with a touch less coverage and a more moisturizing formula.
It comes in a bunch of shades from light to dark (I’m a MAC NC42 and wear Honey 85), and when you’re choosing one, keep in mind that it might oxidize on you… It definitely does on me. Honey 85 looks light when I apply it, but it suits my skin tone just fine within a minute or two. But because of that, finding the right shade might be tricky, so hold onto your receipt.
Even after all this time, I’m still blown away by how good this foundation is at such a reasonable price. It’s definitely an unsung hero. 🙂 *cue standing ovation!*
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
It’s such a nice formula. The lightest shade is workable for me because of the sheerness, but it’s a bit dark. (My best match is Nars Soft Matte Concealer in Chantilly, about a MAC NC10). But the texture is lovely and really natural.
Right? And it’s pretty gentle on the skin, me thinks. I don’t think it’s ever broken me out!
Looks lovely! I think I may need to try it! Thank you for the recommendation – I love a good drugstore dupe! I have been using Lumene BB cream off and on for a few years, but it has been discontinued.
Patoots, your handle is too cute. 🙂 I hope you give this a go because it’s fab!
Does it have SPF? I’m really wanting to find that sheer, non streaky, hint of color with moisture and SPF and NO sparkles formula. Haven’t found anything I love yet. I have the NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Terre Neuve, but it tends to go on streaky on me.
I tried the one from YSL too and I was not impressed.
Hmm… Let me check my bottle. No, I don’t think it does, unfortunately.
So bummed about the YSL one! I love their range of color (the yellows are really nice) but man, that tint didn’t really do anything for me. I used the NARS Hydrating Glow Tint today and every time I use it I die a little inside, LOL. I really hope they bring it back.
Tatiana, I have a tinted SPF from Josie Maran that works really well on its own in the winter, in summer with a light setting powder on top. Super hydrating. I have combo skin, medium-light tone.
So when it oxidizes, it actually gets lighter on you? On my skin the opposite happens with foundations, they usually get darker.
Sorry, meant to imply it gets darker. Whoops.
Its amazing how good Neutrogena is ive tried a few of their products and for the price they are awesome especially the hydroboost range
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I adore it. It has become my go to foundation, and I prefer it to the Clinique version, 100%. A little concealer, a little powder, and I just look good. Not made up, not perfect, but like I have good skin. I have 2 colors that I dot all over, using more of the lighter in winter, and more of the darker in the summer. It doesn’t break me out, and it actually makes my skin feel better throughout the day. So glad to see you spreading the love!
Hi Shannon,
It’s SO good, and pretty darn affordable compared to pricier tints. What concealer and powder do you use with it, by the way?
I generally go for a tiny bit of MAC Pro Longwear or the Milk Flex concealer. For powder I like Laura Mercier Translucent or Besame Vanilla set with a small velour puff. I had always used a brush for simplicity, because I really don’t have the patience or time to bake my undereye. It’s just not my thing. I recently saw a tutorial that recommended a light press of powder with a puff, and I’ve liked the finish (no creasing), so that’s been my go-to lately. I will say, however, that I picked up the MFE concealer on your recommendation tonight, so I’m looking forward to checking out that combo!
It’s a really nice finish. I really need something with SPF, though. I tried layering the other day (still going through samples) and used a Shiseido SPF 50 sunscreen under Armani foundation. Not a good result. Definitely some clogged pores. 🙁 I know I’ll be outside this afternoon so I went with the Amore Pacific cushion. It’s sort of on its last leg. I guess I’ll keep trying the high SPF sunscreen samples (that I have 100 of) and see how that goes!
I am *70* and absolutely love the way this foundation makes my skin appear. It goes on smoothly and lasts all day. My only complaint is the packaging. It’s impossible to get all of the product out of the bottle and is wasteful. I even resorted to cracking open the bottle with my husband’s shop vice to clean out the bottom. 🙂