Product Reviews Rated 4.37 out of 5 stars
5911 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review A few tips to make this work The first time I used this, it was a disaster. Sooooo shiny, with a grayish undercast… I thought I'd made a mistake. But I really wanted it to work - I had been using the Serum, and that wan't working for me. My complexion always looked dull, and it was too time consuming to blend it without streaking. I also didn't want to go back to the powder foundation. My skin is on the oily side, and with the powder, my skin always ended up even oilier by mid-day.
So I persisted with the Complexion Rescue, and now I absolutely love it. My skin has a nice, illuminated appearance, without looking too oily. The level of hydration is perfect for my skin.
I can tell from some of the negative reviews that they are making some of the same mistakes that I initially did, so here are a few tips I found that make it work beautifully.
1. Don't use too much. I can't emphasize this enough. A pea sized amount is all you should use. Think of a pea, and then make that size happen on the brush (Tip 1-a; use the brush). I dot that all over my face and blend until the brush feels pretty dry against my face.
2. After blending, let it soak in for a few minutes. If you try to put Mineral Veil, or Warmth on right away, it gets cakey and messy. Walk away and do something else for a few minutes.
3. Coverage is light to medium. If you have dark circles or red spots, dab on a concealer over trouble areas.
4. I use Warmth and a spot of blush but depending on skin tone, you may not need these. Coverage is pretty sheer, so if you are lucky enough to have some nice, natural color, this product won't hide it.
5. Don't skip the Mineral Veil unless you like super-shiny skin. The mineral-based sunscreen gives a white-ish shine which the mineral veil takes away. But - this is my favorite part - your skin still appears nicely dewey and lit from within after the dusting of mineral veil.
Most Helpful Critical Review Beware: Size is now MUCH smaller The tube size has been changed significantly, but the price has not. This now costs about $14/ounce MORE than it did previously. This makes the product much too expensive for what it is. I hate how they kept the outside box the same and didn't change the external packaging at all. Seems very sneaky. I've loved the product for several years, but now the hugely increased cost per ounce means I might as well buy a better quality foundation for the price. Sigh. Hate when good things change.
Reviewed by 5911 customers So Many Compliments! 5
Brittanyg from Michigan
I've been a Bareminerals customer for years but just started using this gel cream 6 months ago or so and I am constantly told how perfect my skin looks! Even the dental hygienist said she couldn't tell where my natural skin began, and she was all up in my face. I'm 34 and have light to medium skin with a yellow/neutral undertone and I use Bamboo 5.5. I do set with a powder or use the perfecting veil finishing powder if I think I look too "glowy" but that's it!
Barely tinted, oxidizes like previous reviews 2
ewoodson3746 from IL
I wanted to love this. I was looking for something lighter than my full coverage foundation for weekend wear. This changed color on me, despite feeling like I got absolutely no tint or coverage at all. To me, it felt like I had nothing more than primer on. Bringing this back.
Great for under your mask! 4
Kar5222 from Ohio
I have to wear a surgical mask eight hours a day/5 days a week and I was looking for something to even out my skin tone but not be a full face of make up. This product is wonderful. I wear the 03 bamboo end it is a good shade. I did learn the first time I wore this product to not use a primer because it just pills. Just a light Layer of moisturizer underneath and you are good to go. Honestly if you were a younger person (I'm 53)you probably could get away with just wearing this without any moisturizer unless you were super dry. Will definitely buy this again.
I love this 5
A from US
I've been using this for a few years now. I read some other reviews that complained about the smell, but I don't find it to be very strong, and it goes away pretty quickly. I do use a moisturizer and sunscreen under it. Moisturizer because I do have very dry skin, and sunscreen because I can't imagine applying enough of this to provide adequate protection from the sun. You're supposed to apply about a half of a teaspoon of sunscreen to your face and neck. I definitely don't need to use that much Complexion Rescue on my face, and don't use any on my neck. I do love that the sunscreen is mineral instead of chemical though. It's definitely nice to have an extra layer of sun protection. The texture is nice and smooth. Not too thick, but if isn't runny like liquid. I use Bare Minerals primer under this and let it dry for a few minutes. Then I put this on with my fingers or occasionally use a damp sponge. The coverage depends on how much you use and how much you apply. I don't apply very much, so the coverage for me is light. I have acne prone skin and it doesn't ever break me out. I'm really pale and fair and Opal works well for me. It doesn't oxidize, but I do use a little setting powder on top. I usually use Mineral Veil, but sometimes use others. It lasts all day and the color stays the same. I highly recommend giving this a try, especially if you want a natural looking tinted moisturizer.
Makes me look amazing!! 5
Rachael from South Carolina
I used to have bad acne and during the time I was trying so hard to clear it up, I couldn't wear any foundation because it was clogging my pores. I finally was able to clear my acne but I didn't want to suffer through another breakout. I went to one of the ulta employees and asked what will be good for my skin and she recommended me this! I'm so glad I bought this, my skin looks amazing with it on and I have never broke out from it.
Must apply with sponge 3
RobinM from CA
I have dry skin & this settles immediately into my pores unless I apply it with a damp foundation sponge. It doesn't really moisturize my skin at all, but does even out my skin tone a bit. I use Vanilla 02 & am 42 with very minimal wrinkles.
Great for acne prone skin! 5
Jessie from Chicago
This is the first SPF product that has worked for me. I'm in my mid 30's and I still deal with breakouts if Im using products that clog my pores. I also care about anti-aging for the wrinkles and sun spots.
This product is Non-comedogenic! Which is usually the first claim I look for when selecting a face product! It has a very light coverage. Overall, I absolutely love it. Especially, with wearing the masks it's a nice feeling to have a little something on to feel good about myself and at the same time protecting my face and neck from sun damage. Very little transfer on the masks as well!!
Oxidizes badly 3
Amanda from Maryland
Bought this based on reviews and was disappointed in how badly it oxidizes on my skin
Love it! 5
Donna J from League City, TX
I have been using this for about a month now and LOVING it. My normally oily skin had been getting drier each year after menopause (currently 58), and this has given me glowing skin. This product has been perfect for our Texas winters -- no greasy skin, just glowing skin. I apply a moisturizer first, then brush on this product and a little concealer -- and voila! We will see how it handles our Texas summers -- but for now I have a new best friend.
Great tint with SPF! 4
Coco from Santa Clara, CA
I much prefer this over the La Roche Posay tinted sunscreen (which is super liquidy, only one color and no coverage), which I bought at the same time. The color matching helped me choose a shade that was great for me, and it covers my acne and redness well enough that I just need some concealer in certain areas. It has an interesting texture, but is super smooth and absorbs into my skin well. I still need to figure out how it pairs with other ingredients because sometimes I get pilling when I use different products, and sometimes it seems I get more oily and the coverage breaks up in those spots. But this is the best for what I'm looking for right now and I'll probably re-purchase!
Nice product 4
Boymama2 from Michigan
I have light to medium skin with a neutral undertone and purchased the shade bamboo 5.5 The color is a good match and I love the light coverage. If you're looking for something to even out your skin tone and provide additional sunscreen protection( i layer it on top of another sunscreen) then this is a good one.
I initially tried wheat 4.5 as I wear the Bareminerals mineral foundation in Medium beige12, but it ended up being a tad too dark and just looked off.
Amazing! 5
Shewolf from NJ
My skin feels amazing and looks even better! Worth every penny!
Just wow! 5
Ash_Bick from Texas
This product is beautiful! I received this product as a sample and am amazed by it! It provides light coverage but does an amazing job evening out my skin tone and not emphasizing my texture. It is super easy to blend in and gives my skin a natural finish. I will be purchasing this product in the near future!
Oxidized, patchy, not worth it. 2
G from Texas
I have very pale skin so i bought the lightest and it was fine until it started oxideizing and became patchy. Not worth it.
Mature and Dehydrated 5
Sue from NJ
I have medium light skin tone and I'm a neutral undertone. I took a chance with picking Bamboo 5.5 because the last time a sales person times me my color was Wheat, I wound up looking ashy. Bamboo 5.5 was a much better match for me.
The consistency is similar to mousse cream. I'm have combo skin but leaning towards dehydrated skin. This helps give it an inner glow look and blurs my pores. I'm enjoying it more than my beloved IT Hydrating CC foundation.
I'm 55+ with dehydrated skin if this helps the mature friends.
It looks okay 2
Abigail from Greensboro, NC
I have used this alone, over a moisturizer, under foundation, and under a finishing powder. Over a moisturizer works best for my skin. It covers redness pretty well which is great, but it causes breakouts and irritation after each wear, causing more redness. I feel like it could work for people but just not for me.
This is my go-to makeup product! 5
L from Georgia
I've been using this product for a long time now, because it is the perfect everyday tinted cream. I'd say the coverage is light/medium, however once applied this product seems to create an even tone over the skin and it is buildable. It has a smooth consistency, is very easy to spread, and gives my skin a natural glow. I think the name of the product is true to the product itself, since it helps my complexion by protecting my skin from pollution in the air as well as sun rays. However, I would make sure to apply a daily moisturizer before using this, since this product isn't thick enough for that purpose. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, especially during the summer when a heavy foundation isn't the top choice. I'd say the price is worth it, because this is a wonderful product and using a pea-sized amount of it almost everyday, this product lasted for about six months.
Smells funny 1
Anggy from Pennsylvania
I couldn't get over the overpowering smell . Smelled something like metal to me . I had to return .
no 2
kayla from kentucky
not for sensitive skin, gave me an allergic reaction. It did work very well to cover blemishes before my allergic reaction.
Will Repurchase 5
Marie from SC
I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and I love how natural it looks and the coverage. While it is a tinted product I feel like it does a great job evening out my rosacea complexion and then I spot conceal a la Lisa Eldridge's technique on any trouble spots. I have sensitive skin and it seems to be playing nicely with it. Excellent product that is my holy grail now.
Feels great 5
Makeupdiva07 from Nashville, TN
I've been looking for lightweight foundation for everyday wear and I'm very happy with hydrating gel cream. This is light to medium coverage and feels like I'm wearing nothing. I have combination oily skin and I am prone to acne breakouts and this works for me. I bought in colors wheat and tan for winter and summer and both colors are pretty spot on.
Love this! 5
AT. from Tennessee
I tried this in the past and didn't like it. Recently I retried it, I absolutely love it! I have struggled finding something for years. I have bought and returned alot trying to find something. I don't like heavy makeup but I want a little something to even skin. This has been working for me. I use the bareminerals foundation primer under it, I find it applies so much better on my skin that way, then I finish off with the mineral veil.
Great Coverage 5
Mary from Kansas
This is the first tinted moisturizer I've used that has a perfect color match to my skin. I love the texture of the moisturizer and I get medium coverage. I have combination oily sensitive skin, but this did not irritate my skin. The finish is skin like/slightly dewy. I really enjoy this.
Highly recommend! 5
CM from Washington
I'm a natural redhead with extremely fair skin (with a pink undertone) and this stuff is absolutely amazing!! It's not too dark and it hides the pink. It also doesn't make my dry skin super noticeable like regular cover up does.
Best everyday foundation 5
Beth from Orlando
This is my go to foundation. I've tried a lot of foundations and this one i always repurchase as soon as i run out. I have combo skin and it never clings to my drier areas. It looks so natural and i always get compliments when i wear it. This product has light/medium coverage and a natural/glowy finish (no shimmer just hydrated looking). If you don't like the finish, set it with a powder and it's a beautiful soft matte. Love this product, but don't expect full coverage.
