Glossier: The “No-Makeup” Makeup That Works

I’ve been a fan of Into The Gloss for awhile; the minimalist-inspired design coupled with features such as Top Shelf have kept me coming back. When they announced the launch of Glossier, a line of no-fuss skincare products, I wondered how the brand would translate into this new venture. In a recent interview with ELLE, the site’s founder, Emily Weiss, discussed the mission behind Glossier and said, “There’s a lot of skin care that I know and love that’s all about long-term effects, which are fantastic. But these products are made with immediate results in mind…That glowy finish and looking really fresh right away.”

After Weiss raised $2 million in venture capital funding, she was galvanized to start Glossier. As reported by Forbes, Weiss hired employees from established companies such as Google and MAC Cosmetics. She told Forbes, “I’m thinking, what would I like as a 29-year-old, as a beauty consumer? I’m a woman. We have a lot of female employees…Glossier girls want to have fun, we want to work hard. We want to build useful things.”

I received the “Phase One” kit ($80), which is the “no-makeup makeup” approach. It consists of Priming Moisturizer ($25), Balm Dotcom ($12), Soothing Face Mist ($18), and Perfecting Skin Tint ($26). I realize that the idea of “no-makeup makeup” is a cliched if not reliable go-term beauty look but Phase One really does encapsulate the desired aesthetic.

The Priming Moisturizer has the consistency of most moisturizers, such as Simple, and easily absorbed into my skin. Key ingredients include: hyaluronic acid, mushroom super hydrator, anti-redness complex, an oxygenating agent, and an antioxidant blend. I think the one element that it’s lacking is sunscreen/UV-protection, so that’s something to take into consideration before purchasing. Despite the lack of UV-protection, the Priming Moisturizer made my skin feel hydrated and ready for foundation. Balm Dotcom is a universal skin salve that can be applied to your skin, lips, and face. The key ingredients are listed as castor seed oil, beeswax, lanolin, cupuacu fruit extract, and rice bran and rosemary leaf extracts. It’s a great substitute for Chapstick or even lip products such as Maybelline’s Babylips. The Soothing Face Mist is recommended as prep for the Priming Moisturizer, in addition to a skin refresher. If you’re grinding away in a corporate office, the Soothing Face Mist is a nice pick-me-up for thirsty skin. Unlike those cans of vaporized Evian Facial Mist that used to be the most coveted item for your makeup bag, Glossier’s Face Mist contains rosewater, which smells divine. Who needs perfume, right?

Out of all the products, I was most skeptical of the Perfecting Skin Tint. It only comes in three colors: Light, Medium, and Dark. Considering the fact that I have trouble finding the right drugstore shade, I found it extremely hard to believe that the Dark tint would work with my skintone. The Tint is described as, “not a foundation, but…will even out discoloration and leave your face looking toned, smooth, and dewy.” A lofty promise indeed,but I decided to give it a whirl.

The Tint blended into my skin almost as quickly as I put it on. As promised, it did smooth out my complexion and left it with a dewy look. This isn’t to say that it’s some magic eraser that camouflages your worst breakout. The coverage is similar to CC Cream and is lightweight in consistency. It didn’t clog my pores. In fact, one night I was a bit lazy with my makeup-removal routine and left it on. The next morning, I was relieved to see that I didn’t wake up with a smattering of angry pimples. For someone who is really looking to strip down their daily makeup routine and stick to the essentials, Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint is a must-have. I do realize that considering the limited color palette, this product may not adapt to everyone’s skin tone. It should be noted that if you’re more comfortable with foundation and/or beauty creams that offer heavier coverage, the Perfecting Skin Tint may not be for you. Overall, the Perfecting Skin Tint is easy to use and easy to apply, providing a product for women who prefer a minimalist approach to makeup. You can even layer other products on it, such as bronzer, without the pancake aftereffect.

Glossier products are dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, fragrance free, paraben free, and alcohol free. Products are not tested on animals. As of now, Glossier products are exclusively available at Glossier.com. Products ship to the 50 states and Puerto Rico.