Shoppers Call This Tinted Moisturizer a ‘Pot of Magic,’ and I Can’t Stop Getting Compliments When I Wear It

“Wow, your skin is glowing,” one of my friends said to me on a recent trip back to my hometown of Mumbai, India. They hadn’t seen me in several months, and if we’re being completely honest, this isn’t a compliment I would’ve received a few years ago, or even a couple of months ago. But all that has since changed…thanks to the Chantecaille Sheer Glow Rose Face Tint ($79).

Sheer Glow Rose Face Tint — $77.00

Now, first, I’m going to give you a little breakdown of my skin: I don’t deal with acne every day (unless it’s too close to my period, or I’ve overdone it on the dairy), but my skin can get pretty dull if it isn’t on a consistent routine of chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Basically, if it hasn’t been buffed all over, it leaves me uneven and ashy, which is exacerbated by my olive skin tone. And since my skin isn’t really the breakout kind, using a ton of foundation or concealer (or honestly, even tinted moisturizer) doesn’t let my skin breathe at all, and even sometimes adds to that lack of radiance. So, what’s a girl to do?

The Chantecaille Sheer Glow Rose Face Tint aims to fix that problem, since it calls itself a makeup-skin-care hybrid that doesn’t rely on foundation pigments to help you achieve that aforementioned glow. In fact, the way this product works is through botanicals and peptides that balance out the skin’s microbiota (aka, all the microorganisms that live on your skin’s surface) and plump the skin. The cream itself has a gel-like, light texture, and spreads across the skin like butter. And let me just tell you: It totally works.

Chantecaille recommends using a soft makeup brush to apply the product liberally on the spots where you’d like to add the most glow: think cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and forehead. After that, just wait for it to absorb into the skin for about 10 minutes, and you’ll notice the gel turn into a soft, powdery kind of texture that will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.

The thing is, though, that it doesn’t feel like makeup at all: It’ll maybe blur out some of your blemishes, but it won’t entirely remove them. Instead, you’ll look like you just had an Instagram-filtered face—but IRL. It gives a slight sheen to the skin that leaves you luminous, glowing, and like you just had a celeb-approved facial in LA. And that’s all within the first application! You can even add a couple of drops of foundation to the product and use it like a tinted moisturizer, in order to get both glow-y and blemish-reducing benefits at the same time. Talk about a win.

How does it work?

The reason this product works so well is thanks to a potent combination of the ingredients used, as well as the pink-toned color formulation. The three main ingredients, according to the brand, are tamarind extract (a moisturizing, vegan derivative of hydrating powerhouse hyaluronic acid), Matrixyl 3000 Tetrapeptides (a signature Chantecaille ingredient that helps boost collagen and smooth over fine lines), and mondo grass extract (an ingredient derived from a plant rich in sugars and is able to survive drought). This last new ingredient imparts a lot of hydration, and is shown to re-equilibrate skin microbiota, adding a healthy dose of probiotics to the skin and upping your glow. The pink-toned hue also helps blend into the skin and add a rosy finish, no matter your skin color. The result? A fresh face that’s full of radiance, no foundation required.

I’m not the only one who’s a fan. One reviewer calls it “a pot of magic,” writing, “I’m not sure if its actually tinted but it does seem to enhance my skin, giving it a subtle glow. It also seems to give my skin a smoother appearance. The texture is like a gel moisturiser and you only need a small amount. I’m not a foundation fan personally, I like natural looking skin but also want to use a product which enhances my natural skin, not hides it;. This is it. The recent Lotus blur glow powder works well with this too, with an overall natural “your skin but better” effect. A bit of eyeliner, mascara and a daub of blush and I’m good to go. I shall re-purchase when it comes back into stock.”

Another used almost the same wording, writing, “It’s literally so multipurpose; I use it for a primer and I also use if I just want a little glow. Somehow this is magic in a jar!”

I generally apply it in place of my normal moisturizer. Then, I add sunscreen on top, and look fresh as a daisy—and let’s be real, those compliments absolutely sealed the deal.

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