Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation

Product:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation.  This is an okay tinted moisturizer for users with dry skin.  It is not a foundation.

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good.

Cost: $1.00 (1 fl. oz.) ($1 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Dirt Cheap

Sold By:  Dollar Tree

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap, blister package.

Description:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is marketed as a foundation.  I beg to differ.  This offers nothing in the way of coverage.  I think it should be sold as a tinted moisturizer.

Formula:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is a light weight, water-based liquid foundation.  The formula provides almost no coverage and dries to a dewy finish.  This is moisturizing and is best for users with dry skin.  The formula is free from mineral oil and parabens.  It contains no SPF so you will need to wear a sunscreen under this for sun protection.

Sensitivity:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.  It did not break me out, make my nose run, eyes burn or otherwise cause any allergic reactions.

Company Claims:

On the product package:  None.  To Use:  Apply and blend with fingertips.

On the website:  Hide spots, freckles, and blemishes with easy to apply liquid foundation. Cover and even out skin tone for a flawless-looking, soft natural finish. Plus, it can be easily tucked away in small purses, cosmetic organizers, and make-up bags.

Discussion:  This is my first experience with a foundation from a dollar store.  While I’m open to trying inexpensive eye shadows or nail polishes, when it comes to foundation, I believe that anything that is going to stay on your skin for several hours should have good skin care properties.  I looked at every foundation for sale at Dollar Tree and selected this one because it had the best ingredients and was fragrance free.  I bought this strictly to have a wide range of products in all price ranges for review purposes.  I expected to tell you how awful this stuff is, use it once, and toss it.  I was pleasantly surprised that was not my reaction.

This is amusing to me.  Yesterday I reviewed a product that was called a tinted moisturizer that turned out to be a drying foundation.  Today I’m reviewing a foundation that turned out to be a tinted moisturizer.  What is going on with these manufacturers?  Their mislabeling of products is really confusing to their consumers.  Don’t these companies get any feedback from makeup professionals before they sell this stuff?  If not, why not?

Colors:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation comes in three colors:  Light (a light neutral ivory), Medium (a warm medium), and Dark (a warm medium dark).  The Tan is no longer available.  Surprisingly, these three colors will work for most people because the formula is so thin.  You could easily mix two colors if you wanted to.  The Light is exactly the same color as my ivory-toned fair skin.  This was a big shock to me.  Usually, when a product only comes in a few colors, the Light is way too dark for me.  The Light appeared to be pinker than my skin in the tube, but once it was applied, it was a perfect match.

Morning Review:  After cleansing, I applied Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation.  On one side of my face I applied it to bare skin.  On the other side I applied it over primer.  Frankly, it did not make much difference.  The side without primer did not look or feel any different than the side with primer.  This foundation has a tacky finish.  It took about five minutes for it to be fully absorbed into my skin.  Once absorbed, it was basically undetectable on my skin.  It offers very little to nothing in the way of coverage.  I tried applying it with my fingers, a brush and a sponge.  It went on the best with a brush.  It did not work at all with the sponge.  The formula is so thin the sponge just kept absorbing it.

Helpful Tips/Tricks:

  • To avoid squeezing out too much product, simply hold the tube with the nozzle pointing upward, not downward.
  • Apply with a foundation brush for a light smooth finish.
  • Pat on, don’t rub, with fingers for heavier coverage.

Evening Review:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation did not stay on well at all.  It pretty much faded away after a few hours.  It washed off easily with just plain water.

Overall Review:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is NOT a foundation and should not be called such.  It is a tinted moisturizer that should only be used by those with dry skin.

Pros:

  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Very Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Does not offer any actual coverage
  • Hydrating formula is not suited to oily skin
  • Takes several minutes to be absorbed
  • No water resistance

Suitability:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is suitable for the following users:

  • Those with dry skin
  • Those who don’t need coverage
  • Those who like a very light weight feeling product on their skin

This would be a very good makeup to give to a young girl who is just beginning to wear makeup for her to practice with.  I could also use this to teach with for demonstrations or classrooms when I don’t want to waste expensive products.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 2 stars2 Stars;

Value Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.75 Stars = Just Okay to Good.

Would Buy Again?  No.  (Not even for $1.00, how sad.)

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Sassy Chic Moisturizing FoundationSassy Chic Moisturizing FoundationSassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation

Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation Light Swatch

Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation Light Swatch

Ingredients:  Water, Ethyl-Hexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Dimethicone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Product:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.  Will this moisturizer leave your skin soft or slick?  Is the dupe, Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique, a steal or a waste?

Overall Rating (Clinique)2+ stars2.25 Stars – Just Okay
Overall Rating (Equate Beauty) = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good

Cost (Clinique): $26.00 for 4.2 oz. ($6.19 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range
Cost (Equate Beauty): $6.84 for 4.2 oz. ($1.63 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Dirt Cheap

Sold By (Clinique):  Clinique; Dillard’s; Sephora; Major Department Stores
Sold By (Equate Beauty):  Wal-mart

Containers:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – Plastic bottle with pump or twist-off cap (your choice), outer carton.  Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion – Plastic bottle with pump, outer carton.

Description:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is intended for skin types (1) and (2) for those of you that are Clinique customers.  For those who have no idea what that means, Skin Type 1 is Very Dry to Dry; and Skin Type 2 is Dry Combination.   Clinique makes a gel formula of this product for skin types (3) (Oily Combination) and (4) (Oily).  As with all products from the Clinique line, this moisturizer is fragrance free.  However, it is not free of some pore-clogging and disturbing ingredients such as mineral oil, petrolatum and artificial color.  The same can be said for the Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion.

Clinique states, “Dermatologist-developed formula combines all-day hydration with skin-strengthening ingredients to help skin look younger, longer. Helps strengthen skin’s own moisture barrier by 54%, so more moisture stays in.”

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is a moisturizer intended to be used night and day, after cleansing, toning, and the application of any other lighter products such as serums.  Always apply your products following cleansing in the order from the most watery consistency to the thickest consistency.

Wal-mart also makes a version of the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion called Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion.  Today, not only are we going to review the Clinique product, but we are also going to compare it to the Equate Beauty version.  These two products are, once again, very similar.  Wal-mart Equate Beauty only has the lotion version of this product.  They do not have the gel version or any other duplicates or copies.

I must admit, in my youth I rarely used any type of moisturizer.  As I have aged, it is something I seem to need more and more.  I have never been able to find a good one that does not irritate my hypersensitive skin or make my nose run like a proverbial faucet.  I first tried this one decades ago before I knew a great deal about cosmetic ingredients.  Back in those days, ingredients were not even disclosed to consumers.  I began using Clinique strictly because it was fragrance free and markets itself as having stringent research and gentle ingredients.  I decided to re-visit this line when I began this blog because I assumed the Clinique products would have changed and improved over the years with all of the advancements and research into the anti-aging benefits of cutting-edge botanicals and other skin-care ingredients.  I am disappointed to say that this Clinque formula is an old and tired one that should be retired.

Morning Review:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is an okay looking and smelling lotion except for the yellow dye.  It has an ever-so-faint-citrus scent that is pleasant.  The lotion feels silky to my fingertips and when I first applied it, my skin felt velvety.  I’m used to my moisturizers being completed absorbed into my skin within a few minutes.  I waited for this lotion to be absorbed, but it never did.  And when I say never, I do mean never.  It just sat on top of my skin and every time I touched my skin it just felt sticky and greasy.  Makeup does not apply well on top of this product at all.  I used this on a separate day from the Equate Beauty dupe.

My morning review for the Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion is also disappointing.  The Equate Beauty moisturizer smells, looks, feels, and performs the same.  This stuff just sits on top of my skin and feels heavy.

Please Note:  Neither Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion nor Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion contain any SPF or sunscreen ingredients.  If you use this as a daytime moisturizer, you will also need a separate sunscreen.  Since I only like to use one moisturizer with an SPF in the daytime, this is not the best for me.  I would advise you only use this at night if you don’t want to wear two products.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea or any form of acne, please check with your dermatologist before using this.   Mineral oil and petrolatum may clog your pores and make your condition worse.

Morning Rating (Clinique) = 2 stars2 Stars;
Morning Rating (Equate Beauty) =2 stars 2 Stars;

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin felt the same as when I initially applied the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, greasy.  I have to say that I was happy to wash it off and have my face feel clean again.

My evening review for the Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion is, once again, so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between the two products, neither of which impressed me in the least.  In my opinion the Equate Beauty moisturizer is indeed comparable to the Clinique moisturizer for a lot less money.  If you are a die-hard Clinique customer and you like this product, the Equate Beauty copy may delight you.

Overall Review:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is not much better than any other lotion with mineral oil and petrolatum.   It does have some nice soothing cucumber and skin-plumping sodium hyaluronate, but those don’t make up for the other outdated ingredients.  If you have really dry skin this will make it feel softer and it will impart hydration as long as you don’t mind the heavy feel of the oil and petrolatum on your skin.  Personally, I don’t want those ingredients on my face.  This is definitely not an appropriate product for anyone with oily skin.  My male tester with dry skin also said this moisturizer made his face feel greasy and he did not care for it.  It is fine as a hand or body lotion, but way too expensive for that purpose.

Comparing the two products, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion, are much more strikingly similar than dramatically different. (pun intended)  If you read the ingredients lists below you will see just how similar.  This is one of the most similar dupes I have seen in terms of ingredients, as well as performance.

I have not tried the gel version of this product from Clinique so I cannot comment on the difference.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion are suitable for the following skin types:  (Not for oily or combination)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating (Clinique) = 2 stars2 Stars;
Morning Rating (Equate Beauty) =2 stars 2 Stars;

Evening Rating (Clinique) = 2 stars2 Stars;
Evening Rating (Equate Beauty) =2 stars 2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 2 stars2 Stars;

Value Rating (Clinique) = 3 stars3 Stars;
Value Rating (Equate Beauty) = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating (Clinique) = 2+ stars2.25 Stars – Just Okay.
Overall Rating (Equate Beauty)  = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good.
(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion

Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion

Ingredients (Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion): Water, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil, Urea, Lanolin Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 33.

Ingredients (Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion): Water, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Lanolin Alcohol, Saccaride Isomerate, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 33 (CI 17200).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.