Nivea Tinted Moisturizer VS. Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation

I remember my ex-boss, she always have that certain glow in her face even if we are both harassed with our toxic schedules. I asked what foundation is she using, then she told me it’s not foundation, it’s tinted moisturizer. She uses Laura Mercier. From then on, I envied her dewy, even skin, and my search for a tinted moisturizer that’s way cheaper then Laura Mercier began.

As I browse a back issue of Cosmo magazine, I saw Nivea Tinted Moisturizer. The next time I went to the mall, I got one in Tan. Though “Natural” suits my NC30 skin more, I opted to buy “Tan” because I want a bit of a sunkissed look instead of my usual pale color.

The next morning I used this tinted moisturizer instead of my usual foundation. The coverage is light to medium, depending on the amount of the product you used. I was disappointed because it has a pinkish/greyish cast on me. Luckily, my Ellana’s Oil Absorbing Finishing Powder in Almond Coffee Cream adjusted its color. Oil control is not good enough for me, too. I get oily after an hour, which means when I arrived in the office, my T-zone is shiny already, which does not happen when I use my Ellana Finishing Powder over my regular moisturizer.

Up to now, I haven’t finished the entire tube. I tried mixing it with Maybelline Clear Smooth Gel Foundation, but it doesn’t work as well.

Then I saw Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation in another issue of Cosmo. Luckily, when I went to Landmark, it was on 50% off. So I grabbed one and another OTE Normal for my aunt.

The next day, I used it as my foundation then set with my finishing powder. The coverage is very light. I remember when I first tested this product in Watsons way back in April 2009, there is no coverage at all. But this one has a light coverage. It looks like well, a foundation. It adapts to any skin tone so there is no pink or gray cast. But coverage as I said is light. So if your goal is to even out blemishes or sun spots, it won’t do the trick. Oil control is way way better than Nivea, but I still got oily around 2pm.

The verdict: Between Nivea and Olay Total Effects, I’d choose OTE. Perhaps I can use it during the cold days of December, when it is not too humid. I think I must try the oil-free tinted moisturizers in the market like Laura Mercier’s and Stila. I went to Stila yesterday and tried the tinted moisturizer. It looks really promising. Will post a review soon!