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After testing SPF setting sprays last July, I exposed myself as someone who hates wearing sunscreen under my makeup. Since then, I made it my mission to find a solution. I wanted to find a mineral SPF that would sit well under layers of foundation, concealer, cream blush, and setting powder and that wouldn’t look overly greasy. That’s how I came across Ciele (pronounced SEE-el) Cosmetics while shopping in the “Clean at Sephora” section.
Founded by makeup artist Nikki DeRoest and beauty executive Cerre Francis, Ciele offers a range of products — including liquid blush, a contour stick, and skin tint — that have SPF protection and acne-safe ingredients. I have combination skin that’s on the dry side (thank you, Accutane), so my primer of choice has always been the thick, moisture-rich Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré , which can be especially tricky to layer with facial sunscreen. The Ciele Prime & Protect seemed to offer the best of both worlds I was looking for: a primer that would help my other makeup stay in place and sun protection without the white cast or gloopiness of typical SPF.
Ciele Cosmetics prime & PROTECT SPF 30+
I started testing the Prime & Protect in November, and it’s only grown on me since then. When I first applied the Ciele to my face, it appeared to be tinted, but as I rubbed it into my skin, I realized that the tint is clearly working to counteract or neutralize the white color of non-nano mineral sunscreens. So while it looks tinted upon first application, it’s actually on the sheer side in terms of coverage. The nongreasy formula combines zinc and vitamin E to nourish and hydrate the skin. I’ve tested the primer by wearing it alone as my daily sunscreen and under makeup, whether I’m out running errands or heavy-sweating in my group workout classes. I even brought it on a trip to Key West and Anguilla in February.
It’s a hybrid primer that works well alone — and under foundation
The Ciele sunscreen-primer gives my skin a natural glow, and when I apply it under my foundation — I use the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech — it creates a smooth base and never makes my blended layers of makeup feel heavy or cakey. It has both water- and silicone-based ingredients, which means it’s a hybrid primer that’s technically compatible with any foundation, though my Haus Labs is silicone-based. I haven’t noticed any pilling, and though the Ciele has some tackiness, I would never describe it as sticky. The Prime & Protect contains 10 percent zinc oxide and no chemicals, which is a higher amount of zinc than our favorite mineral-based facial sunscreen from La Roche-Posay. My go-to mineral sunscreen — Innisfree’s green-tinted SPF — has 17 percent zinc oxide, and it feels thicker than the Prime & Protect. Other mineral sunscreens I’ve tried from Blue Lizard and Sun Bum have a significant white cast, but the Prime & Protect blends in wonderfully. After a few minutes, it dries down from its wet consistency to a dewy finish. I love that it keeps my foundation in place and it never feels (or smells) like I’m wearing sunscreen at all. Whether I’m at Pilates or cycling outside on a hot and windy day, it never runs into my eyes and feels super lightweight.
There are a couple of newer formulas — but I’m sticking with the original
Ciele Cosmetics Prime & PROTECT SPF 30+ - Mother
Ciele Cosmetics prime & PROTECT SPF 30+ - Nacre
The brand recently released two new “radiant” shades: Mother, a subtle Champagne, and Nacre, a warmer and deeper color that reminds me of Drunk Elephant’s bronzing drops. They both have added luminosity, which is meant to give your skin some shimmer. I have fair skin with neutral undertones, so the Nacre shade looked too bronze on me, almost like a bad self-tan. The Mother shade was definitely a better match for my skin tone, but the original formula has the most skinlike finish. I could see myself opting for the Mother shade under a full-glam look, but the original is my daily driver. I didn’t notice too much of a difference in terms of application — the original and the radiant shades apply virtually the same — except for the fact that you may feel the need to blend in the Mother and Nacre a bit more. I have the tendency to get oily in my T-zone, and I think the original keeps my face from looking too shiny at the end of the day.
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