SEE NEW UPDATE AT END OF POST
I bought a few bits and pieces on Black Friday, but most were restocks of my favourite products at discounted prices. I replenished my Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint foundation, my beloved failsafe, reliable and favourite foundation, review here.
There was 15% off site wide and 3 decent gifts with purchase – 30ml cleanser and 50ml Botanical shine shampoo and conditioner, so I was very pleased with myself.
My old tube was empty, I usually cut it down because a lot of product accumulates around the collar, so it’s alway worthwhile to scoop it out. This particular morning, all three pairs of scissors were missing from the bathroom, so I chucked the old tube and cracked open my new one.
I immediately knew something was off because the formula was very runny, and horror of horrors, it settled around and actually emphasised the pores on my nose!
The shade wasn’t right either. Old formula Skin Tint was just a beat too light, this one is a more than a beat too dark! Plus, because I couldn’t scrub it off in time, I had to wear it to work and spent the day shovelling on powder to take away the beacon like shine.
I looked up the invoice to get ready to return it and noticed the word NEW! on there. When I checked the website this is what I found:
Now with added skincare benefits! Visibly smooth, brighten and even skin tone with our complexion perfector.
This creamy, yet lightweight and silicone-free, formula reduces the appearance of fine lines and imperfections to leave skin looking flawless, radiant and dewy, while offering mineral UV SPF 15 protection.
I complained to two different people and these are the answers I received:
We reformulated Sheer Skin Tint to include skincare benefits, and to now have longer wear. We’ll certainly pass your comments on however, as we do appreciate all feedback.
I replied:
The only skincare benefit needed was to up the SPF, which you didn’t do. The negative reviews on the Liz Earle website reflect my feelings, it’s too runny, doesn’t blend because it dries too quickly and the colour is darker. What an awful shame.
Another (stock) reply:
We decided to reformulate our Sheer Skin Tint to enhance the product’s skincare benefits, allowing it to work in harmony with our skincare range and deliver visible results on the skin. The new silicone free formulation contains Avocado and Borage Seed Oils to moisturise plus Alaria Esculenta to leave skin looking revitalised. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and imperfections to leave skin looking flawless.
The shades of Sheer Skin Tint have been improved and adapted to cover a wider range of skin tones and the new formulation offers up to 12 hours wear.
I’m fuming they’ve messed about with it, and I’m not the only one, although I can only see four negative reviews on the official website, I could’ve sworn there were more…
So, I know it’s making me look shiny because of the addition of avocado and borage seed oil. The reason Beige 02 is now darker is, to cover a wider range of skin tones – but hold on, there’s still only 3 shades on offer. Instead of introducing more shades, Liz Earle darkened the existing ones!
Just spotted this!
Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint 40ml £24.50
AS I’M ON A MOANY ROLL…
I bought a new Shiseido Eyelash Curler, 20% off from Look Fantastic.
I rate this eyelash curler highly. It’s only my second one because it lasts forever (and it comes with a spare pad). I just felt it wasn’t as springy as it used to be.
The new one is built in exactly the same way – I compared them side by side, but they’ve ‘updated’ it and it’s now in a darker metal. Instead of silver, it’s dark grey. This means I can’t see my lashes and I’ve caught my eyelid a few times and you know how much that hurts!
I feel like…
UPDATE 22nd January 2018
Call it a post-Christmas miracle, but going through my old make up – just how hard is it to throw away £30/60 mistakes? I found an unopened, original Sheer Skin Tint in shade 01 Bare. I remember buying it because I thought my perfect shade was two-thirds 01, mixed with one-third 03 Beach. But then I obviously decided 02 wasn’t that bad after all and didn’t buy the darker tint.
As it’s the old formula, it is of course ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I use the smallest dot I can get away with for my nose and each side of my nose – PORES BE GONE! – and they are. The shade is too light, so I use Liz Earle’s far too dark and ‘Not Natural At All’ Loose Powder and I just about get away with it.
I also found a squeezed out tube of original foundation in my shade 02. I won’t use it of course, because I had a tube after it so I know it’s an oldie, and I’m worried about bacteria. I bet we’ve all got old and much-loved make up we know we shouldn’t use, but do. The problem is, once you’ve experienced an allergic reaction on your face – mine was from an essential oil, you don’t ever want to run that risk again.
SWATCHES
I’m not the best photographer in the world, but I think it’s clear how much Liz Earle have departed from the original formula.
Note how much darker it is – which is a cheek, why didn’t they introduce new shades for darker skin instead of significantly darkening the mid tone shade? You can also see how runny it is and how much came out of the tube after only a little squeeze.
Again, I can’t get my head around why they would ‘improve’ a product consumers obviously loved. I understood that Cleanse & Polish had to be reformulated due to the EU kicking off about certain ingredients, but the end product, although different, is still perfectly adequate and remains the only cream cleanser I can work into my eyes without irritation.
I don’t see Liz Earle reverting to the old formula unless their sales drop like a stone, but this was my last Sheer Skin Tint purchase from them.
UPDATE MAY 2019
I like to keep an eye on the Liz Earle website, just to see if they’ve listened to their customers and reverted back to the old formula.
The complaints are the same, although apparently they’ve added ‘something’ to stop the tint from being overly runny.
CONSPIRACY THEORY TIME!
To be serious, there might be something in this. I originally thought there must’ve been an ingredient in the tint that didn’t comply with ‘EU’ rules. I understand that was why the Cleanse & Polish formula was changed. But, to be fair, I got used to the new formula and it is still the only product that I can truly work into my eyelashes without irritation. It’s horribly expensive (£17 for 100ml) so I use it for removing eye make up only and stretch it out.
Boots is in trouble financially and they’ve obviously been cutting corners for years. They’re now closing stores left, right and centre, which is devastating for all the people who work there. I have fond memories of Boots too. It was where I bought my first make up and skin care – Rimmel Kohl eyeliner (black of course, applied to the waterline which made eyes look even smaller) and a skin burning lemon cleansing milk (Delph, I think ). I still try to shop in store when I can, but you know, internet, offers, convenience etc, no wonder the High Street is dying.
Is it really too paranoid to think Boots saw a way to cut corners and shaved off some production money by replacing the ingredients with cheaper alternatives? I’m still not buying the ‘skin care benefits’ line.
THE SADDEST NEWS OF ALL
Facing facts and it’s not coming back.
Even more so now Boots are shutting up shop(s). They are not going to invest in this line. The best make up foundation that ever existed is gone, for good.
I’m so sorry to read they’ve changed the formula. It’s (was!) my favourite tinted moisturiser. i was actually about to get a new one but now i know i won’t. I’m pretty sure the extra oils won’t do me any favour either. thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Hi Denise,
I’m still kicking myself I didn’t cut down my old tube. I even said I’d buy 5 tubes of their old stock, but they said they didn’t have any left – which I don’t believe. I wonder if they’ll turn up in TK Maxx? They have to be somewhere!
Damn, I had just read an old post about the loose powder & you raved so much about the skin tint I said I’d check out your review on it & maybe pick it up. So glad I read this now. Sorry they changed the formula, that sucks. Liz Earle are apparently notorious for deleting negative reviews!
It really does suck, I loved that foundation! I should’ve screen capped the reviews, because people really do hate the new formula. It’s doubly annoying that they significantly darkened the shade too! I’m testing out other light foundations, but nothing comes close.
The only one that I found I liked is the Clarin’s B.B. detox fluid. But the lightest color is still a summer color for me. I’d love to try the it cosmetics cc cream but it’s not available here in Ireland yet 😟
Interesting you should mention a BB cream, because I am looking at lighter formulas. A ‘traditional’ medium coverage foundation – like the wonderful Shiseido Synchro Skin (which I do like) is a bit too heavy on my typical Irish complexion and looks cakey.
I’ve just bought Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream in Light and even though the texture is good and it spreads well, it’s really REALLY yellow and yes, emphasises nose pores. I’m mixing it with everything because it’s expensive and I’m determined to make it work!
I’ve noticed that a lot of B.B. creams seem to lean towards yellow tones which again is fine with me in the summer but not so much in the winter!
I loved Liz Earle sheer skin tint, now itsi to runny, a lot is now wasted. Used it for years, now looking for another brand
Author
Still haven’t found anything half as good. Foundations labelled as ‘moisturising tints’ tend to be too oily for me.
Sorry, I took so long to reply, my admin dashboard thing needs tweaking, I’m so not technical!
Has anyone found a good replacement for the old recipe Liz Earle tinged moisturiser? I’m struggling to find anything I like as much 🙁
Author
Nope, I bloody loved Sheer Tint. Only foundation that never emphasised pores. Now it’s gone forever unless Boots sell it on.
Author
Hi Deb,
See Jane’s reply regarding Heliocare colour gel cream.
Personally, I’ve not found anything that comes anywhere near the original, but I am starting to look at foundations that are labelled ‘tints’ more now.
If only brands would give out and regulate samples (ie to stop sales assistants from flogging them on eBay) we’d have a fighting chance at finding a match.
Sheer Skin Tint really was the only foundation I’ve ever found to cover pores instead of emphasising them.
The nearest I have found is Heliocare colour gelcream. I am medium fair and use the light shade.This gives me a very lightly sunkissed look, therefore may not be suitable for the extremely fair. There is also a brown shade and it has an SPF of 50. I started using this daily, instead of Liz Earle original formulation, because of the SPF factor, and it feels very similar. I certainly won’t be trying the new formulation. That many negative comments speaks volumes.
Author
Hi Jane,
I’ve got to be careful with anything ‘skinkissed’ My skin has a tendency to look dirty if I stray too far from my skin tone
– which is typically Celtic ie whitey white with pink undertones.
I’m so annoyed with the Liz Earle company for changing such a great product. I recently found an almost empty tube of the original shade 2 tint. I’m not sure why I kept it, I can’t possibly use it, nostalgia I guess.
If I should come across anything similar then I’ll let you know. You are correct in that the original was pretty much perfect. I wore it daily and regularly had compliments on my complexion, though I knew it was this, and not really me 😂😂
I was just about to buy replacement but won’t do so now. I only use it to lighten under my eyes but I have used it every day for years. Have occasionally tried something else but nothing else compares – so what’s to replace it? I hate making expensive mistakes when something is discontinued or formula changed.
Author
Hi Annalisa,
Skin Tint was my Holy Grail product and so far, I’ve found nothing that comes even close.
Now, this is interesting, I’ve just checked the Liz Earle website and found a bunch of 5 star reviews including this one:
For all the reviewers disappointed with the runnier formula, it is back to the original. So it’s thicker and therefore denser to blend. Colour of beach gives quite a tanned appearance but also natural. I use this in the summer and No 2 in winter when my skin is a bit paler. It’s a good moisturiser and I liked both formulas and although the new one was a bit leaky I do think it was easier to apply and went on more even, but as you can see from the reviews, I appeared to be in the minority.
I’m not sure about this. Surely the company would’ve said something in the comments if they went back to the original formula?
The new NYX glow foundation has a similar texture – and comes in a lot of shades. Boots sell so you could ask for samples – I know no.7 counter does testers. I’ve taken my skin tint back for a refund as 02 was orange runny and made my eyes water. Such a shame to mess with a loved product. I left negative reviews and can’t see them published !!!! Very suspicious.