I GLOW LIKE JEAN HARLOW (Revlon Skinlights Diffusing Tint)

Member Name: Ms_Scarlett

Product:	Revlon Skinlights Diffusing Tint
Date:	01/09/05 (1681 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy smooth coverage, dewy complexion

Disadvantages: Dodgy pump dispensers

I am not one of those fortunate creatures that have an English rose complexion. Even though I follow a good skin care routine I still have the very sallow, slightly jaundiced variety. I have always yearned for, and never had, dewy glowing skin like those Hollywood goddesses Jean Harlow and Mae West. Even in the days long past when I foolishly exposed my skin to the potent, damaging rays of the sun I used to end up looking dirty faced rather than with a golden glowing tan.

Discovering Revlon Skinlights face illuminator was, therefore, a small miracle for me. I first chanced upon this product whilst browsing the cosmetic stall of my local weekly market.

“Arf price lovey, ten quid in Boots that is” the ruddy faced market stall holder shrieked loudly at me.

I hesitated as I thought £5.00 was still quite pricey for a product I had never heard of before especially off a market stall where I am used to paying no more that a couple of pounds for an item.

“Me daughter swears by that stuff…..won’t use anyfink else,” the ruddy faced woman, scenting blood, went in for the full on Sales kill as I dithered over whether to pay the price or not.

I held the bright pink tube in my hand and quickly scanned the blurb on the back. It promised to help conceal imperfections by blending seamlessly with your own skin tone to give a luminous, natural look at the same time leaving your skin soft and smooth due to an "exclusive crystal complex illuminating formula with tinted flaw-diffusers" which enhance the complexion, to give it a radiant, luminous glow. The lotion could be used by itself or as a base under your usual foundation; it also contained an SP15 factor as well as vitamins E and C.

Skinlights lotions are unique because they features various minerals such as mother of pearl and rose quartz which are light refracting and therefore illuminate the skin rather than covering the skin in heavy pigments which other foundations tend to do. Obviously these are the exclusive crystal complexes which give the illuminating qualities

It certainly sounded nice and never let it be said that I am a sales persons dream but at half price this wasn’t something I could refuse……..so I didn’t.

Once home I inspected my product at closer quarters

The pink tube is not dissimilar to other foundation tubes but is slightly more rigid and substantial than a normal tube which would possibly explain why this illuminator is supplied with a pump action dispenser and a transparent pink cap to avoid any accidental leakage.

The first time I used this product it was a mini disaster. I pressed down on the pump quite hard and two huge dollops of fairly runny pink liquid squirted out rapidly and splashed over my hand, down the front of my blouse and over the toe of one shoe. So I advise caution when using.

The lotion is light and reasonably creamy despite its runniness and goes a very long way so I would suggest using sparingly. I find one small pump gives me just the right amount of coverage for a natural appearance. I apply it directly to a damp sponge and smooth it evenly over my face and neck just as I would with a normal foundation.

The beauty of this product though is its versatility. It can be worn under foundation as a base, on it’s own as foundation in its own right or if preferred you could just apply it to your cheeks, below your eyes or anywhere else you just wanted to highlight. I tend to use this product in place of foundation as it does indeed brighten up my skin and give my complexion a very healthy radiant glow; it is also very sheer and I do like the idea that my skin can breathe through it. As it does such an impressive job of evening out my skin tone I personally don’t feel it necessary to wear a foundation.


The consistency of skinlights is fairly runny and once dispensed onto the sponge it looks very pink and slightly glittery which may sound off putting to those that like a matt finish but once applied to the face this peculiar looking pink lotion really does as the manufacturers promise and skin instantly looks vibrant, healthy and fresh and has a slightly dewy look to it without looking false.

Whenever I wear this product I get loads of comments on how “well” I look so the effects must be apparent to others. I must admit that I do feel rather glamorous when wearing it as I genuinely do get a luminous bloom to my skin.

The real test of staying power for me was wearing this to work. I apply it around 5.00 am before starting a twelve hour shift and it lasts all day without fading or needing a touch up which, considering I work in a very dusty, dirty environment, is pretty impressive.

I have an extremely sensitive skin and often get red scaly patches on my face but skin lights manages to smooth over these without clinging to the patches and the result is smooth and even coverage. I haven’t noticed any undesirable or adverse effects with this product; maybe the inclusion of Vitamin E plays a part in keeping the skin well moisturised as my skin never dries out when wearing this. There is a very slight sweet aroma with this product but it’s quite pleasant and not over powering.

If I have one niggle with this product then it has to be the pump dispenser for two reasons. The first, as I stated earlier, is that it dispenses far too much lotion per pump and secondly as the tube empties it fails to reach the lotion at the bottom.

However, determined not to be short changed on my initial £5.00 outlay, I devised a cunning plan, and found that by unscrewing the top I could tip the tube up slightly and pour the remnants on to my sponge. I think I manage to get a further ten applications by doing it this way, so something to consider doing if you decide to try this product.

As skinlights are oil free (no animal, vegetable or mineral oils) and lightweight they are suitable for all skin types.

Skinlights come in several shades so they suit every skin tone. I use Lotion 02 which is a very light pink shade.

Other shades are: Lotion 01. Natural Light
Lotion 02 Pink Light
Lotion 03 Peach Light

I believe there are other shades in this range including Golden Light; however the three named above are the only shades I have seen available to purchase.


Skinlights do several products in this range including:

Skinlights illuminator powder
Skinlights Diffusing Tint
Skinlights wand luminous Touch


Skinlights come in a 40 ml tube and with daily usage my tube lasts around five months so the retail price of £9.99 doesn’t work out to be too expensive. It’s even better for me because I can get mine half price!


Cost: £9.99 per 40ml tube

Availability: Stocked at most Chemists including Boots

Summary: Gives a lovely flawless complexion, easy to apply, easy to remove, stays on all day