Edward Bess Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector in Light

I'm a bit late to this party, but I didn't want spring to pass before I featured Edward Bess's relatively new Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector ($56). I purchased Light, one of four available shades. Described as a face cream that imparts a healthy radiance, Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfection is a multifunction product.

Not a foundation, not a tinted moisturizer, not even a BB cream, it’s an "EB cream" that makes everything better. Edward Bess masters the look of glowing skin in a natural finish. Its weightless feel glides right on with special light-diffusers that impart a dewy luminosity, but still look like your natural complexion - only better.

I didn't know what to expect from it. Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book gave it a thumbs up while wishing it was available in more shades. She found herself between a Light and Medium. I am a "perfect Light."

Here are two swatch photos of the Light shade, both taken in full sun. I dispensed a small amount of the product at the top or my arm. Then I dispensed the same amount below and blended it with my fingers. I did not blend it into my skin entirely because it would have disappeared in the photos.

The color is fairly neutral, but I think it leans ever-so-slightly yellow. That's fine with me because yellow neutralizes any redness in my skin. When apply it, it doesn't appear yellow. It look like my skin. I see no line of demarcation at my jaw line when I apply it to my face.

To my eyes, Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector is a lightweight foundation. It is not advertised as containing a sunscreen, so I think that gives it a demerit. It does contain titanium dioxide, but apparently not in sufficient quantity to provide a legitimate SPF rating.

When I apply it, I see overall smoothing of my skin tone with sheer coverage. It does leave a "feel" of hydration on my skin, but only to the touch. It looks very natural, as advertised, but I don't see that it adds much radiance to my skin. That's a tall order for dry skin, and it's advertised for normal or normal-to-dry skin types. If I shine a light on my skin, I see a luminous quality. In normal indoor and outdoor lighting, I do not see a dewy finish.

If you look hard, you may see a chalkiness in my photos. That's how it feels when first applied. That feeling goes away quickly, but I find it curious. One might expect that from a foundation containing a physical sunscreen, but this one doesn't. Perhaps it's the titanium dioxide?

It was made in Taiwan, a subject of much conversation of late. I'm not sure I would have ordered it had I known.

If it's not a BB cream (no sunscreen), and it's not a foundation, I'm not sure what it is. I have better foundations, better luminizing products, and better moisturizers. It's too thick to be a primer (in my opinion), so I can't find a compelling case for using it - or purchasing again. That's too bad. Edward Bess products seldom disappoint me.

You can find Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector, where I purchased mine, at Sephora and Bergdorf Goodman, along with a few Neiman Marcus stores and, of course, the Edward Bess Web site. I really want to try his new Complexion Correcting Black Sea Mousse Foundation, which looks more intriguing. You can find that at QVC, and it was made in the U.S.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty