I Tried the New Version of This Cult BareMinerals Product… Here’s My Honest Verdict
If you’re a makeup fan, it would be a total travesty if you hadn’t yet discovered bareMinerals’ hugely successful and best-selling Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser. It has been part of my staple makeup collection since its launch in early 2015 thanks to its ‘second skin’ coverage, hydrating properties and natural glow – which is no mean feat for a beauty editor with oily skin who is lucky enough to be offered plenty of other options.
So, when I heard bareMinerals were adding to the Complexion Rescue collection and launching it in a dewy stick format, I was super excited. Some might say a little too excited, but the convenience of a stick in a formula I already love? Gimme.
So, did it live up to (my own) hype? Or did I swiftly return back to my old faithful liquid format? My oily skin can sometimes fight against stick formats that promise a ‘dewy finish’ so I was a little dubious. Here is my honest review.
The product details
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Luminous Skin Tint Stick costs £33 from Boots UK (or $39.50 from bareMinerals US) and comes in 20 shades. It promises to ‘reimagine tinted moisturiser for a new generation’ by weightlessly enhancing natural luminosity with help from hydrating acai palm and protect the skin thanks to vitamin E. Also, calcium carbonate helps to absorb excess oil for a dewy, grease-free finish – seemingly perfect for me and my oily skin.
Image – Courtesy of writer
It aims to provide 24 hour light, buildable coverage with a non-cakey finish and skin should be smooth, even and healthy looking after application. Notably, it does not contain SPF 30 like its liquid counterpart.
How I tested bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Luminous Skin Tint Stick
I applied it onto clean skin after using my usual daytime serum and moisturiser.
First impressions
The first thing I noticed when I took off the lid was how dewy the stick looked. Praying it wouldn’t be too much for my oily skin, I applied the stick directly onto my face, drawing three lines on each cheek, a quick zig zag on my forehead and a few dots on my chin and nose.
The formula felt cool and wet on my skin and as I blended it in with a foundation brush, it melted in seamlessly. It definitely helped that I already knew my perfect shade – Natural Pecan – but even so, I was pretty blown away by how beautifully it sank into my skin. The coverage was sheer but not so sheer that my blemishes weren’t covered. It was just a lovely second-skin, healthy look.
I could instantly see a glow and my skin not only felt soft, but it looked baby-smooth too – my pores had pretty much disappeared. YES! However, this all felt a little too good to be true. I was worried the glow would turn to grease within the hour and that the lightweight coverage wouldn’t hold. I loved how it looked at first application, but would it stand the test of time?
My results
Oh ye of little faith. I must have been burnt too many times when testing bases as I was pretty convinced this would be a complete fail for me and my skin, despite being a huge fan of the original tinted moisturiser format. It was the instant dewiness for me – if something is that dewy from the off, chances are it’s going to get shinier throughout the day and my oily skin won’t cope.
However, this product just stayed put. It didn’t get shinier, nor did its glow fade. What you see when you apply it is exactly what you get for the rest of the day. The calcium carbonate clearly works overtime to absorb excess oil because my skin was beautifully balanced all day and the smoothness and evenness were unfaltering.
Image – Courtesy of writer
After a few weeks of using it now, what feels great is that I know my skin is being hydrated whilst wearing it and I don’t need to worry that I’ve overdone it. Usually, a dewy, hydrating product like this is a recipe for disaster but with this, I can have the best of both worlds. I have been known to sacrifice hydration for a matte finish because greasy skin is what people see on the outside so I end up masking it and dealing with the consequences later (ie sebum over-compensation). But that sacrifice isn’t needed here.
And I barely need to touch it up during the day. Ok so perhaps a little dot here and there if I’m going out later – it is impressively buildable and doesn’t ever look cakey – but having oily skin usually means doing my face all over again if I’ve got an evening activity. Not with this.
Image – Courtesy of writer
BareMinerals, you have done it again. And yep, I’m going to say it – I actually think the stick format is better than my beloved tinted moisturiser because of the sheer convenience of it and lack of potential mess. That’s it, I’m hooked.
What other users are saying
A thread on Reddit has mixed reviews about the shade range. “unfortunately the thing that is stopping me from buying it is the shade range,” writes super_chicken_nugget. “Swatching in store went from shade 0 being too light and cool to the next shade being too dark and yellow.”
Brightgreensoul agrees, “same! The range is horrible.” Though this is subjective it can be very frustrating. I have tried mixing shades before but it’s expensive to buy two products, plus it’s tricky to mix stick formulas.
IBKCprez says “this is my favorite! One of the shades is a perfect match for me. I love that it goes on so smooth and nice. Nice light coverage.” While Lovemartin2019 writes, “I love it. I have sensitive skin and this worked great for me. Perfect shade match too.”
Overall value for money
At £33 this stick tint means business. It may not be packed with a tangible liquid, but a stick formula shouldn’t be overestimated. There is less wastage for a start (no spillages) and I believe you use less product with a stick as application is more controlled.
Another foundation stick I really love is the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick which costs around 50% more and… psst….I don’t love it as much as this one. And I really love the Dior one. The bareMinerals stick is far more hydrating and more enjoyable to wear because if you apply too much of the Dior, it has the potential to look cakey.
Yes there are cheaper sticks out there, but I’ve never met one so well matched to my needs which for me is priceless.
The takeaway
Skin that is hydrated, protected with vitamin E, expertly covered and given a glow without any compromises? Yes please. This stick is fool-proof and officially my new can’t-live-without. It’s on the expensive side that’s for sure but I truly believe you get what you pay for. The way it absorbs excess oil alone is genius and its staying power is second to none.
Give it a go if you want lightweight coverage, guaranteed hydration and reassurance that ‘dewy’ won’t turn into ‘greasy.’
Get Glowing!
