Hate foundation? Skin tints are the answer
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My makeup bag is currently overflowing with foundations. There's an overwhelming amount of options; from the full-coverage foundations to the more lightweight BB and CC creams. I'm here to confuse you even more (soz) and throw skin tints into the mix.
I'm bringing them to your attention because they've slowly become my faves. As someone who wants as much coverage as possible, this was a huge U-turn for me and my makeup. This means only one thing: skin tints are seriously good.
I've always wanted to be a no-makeup makeup girl, but my rosacea-prone redness and post-acne pigmentation have other ideas. However, skin tints have the magical power of evening out your skin tone, whilst being lightweight – no caking to see here. They leave a fresh, healthy complexion behind. Sounds like the dream, right?
I've got all the deets on skin tints and tried and tested the best ones you can buy (your skin can thank me later).
Are skin tints better than foundation?
Obviously, it's down to preference but skin tints have become my staple for leaving my skin looking healthy and more even, without the heaviness or cakiness that often comes hand-in-hand with foundation.
"Skin tints are extremely clever at evening over skin tone, creating a healthy texture and really bringing your skin to life," says makeup artist, Zoë Taylor. "The wonderful thing about skin tints is that you still see the skin, it isn't masked with a foundation, so you're able to celebrate your own skin and have it looking its best," she adds.
If you're not a fan of a super dewy finish, don't worry, there's a skin tint out there for you. "They don't all need to be super glossy, some are more matte," says Taylor. Her pick is the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint for those wanting the latter (more on that later).
Taylor's top tip? "Skin tints can also be used to add a little colour to your complexion, by going up a shade or two you can achieve a very authentic healthy glow," she says.
What's the best way to apply a skin tint?
Social media seems to be divided when it comes to how best to apply skin tints. While some opt for the OG makeup tool (AKA, hands), others go for a makeup brush or sponge to get the job done.
Taylor agrees that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. "If you need to cover spots with concealer, it's probably best to do this first and let it settle before applying your skin tint over the top with a brush. If you're looking to even out your skin tone, you can apply with your fingertips, to ensure it is blended perfectly," she explains.
How do I get a skin tint to last all day?
Powder or not to powder, that is the question.
"Whatever your choice of base I would always set it," says Taylor. Although, if you're not a fan of powder due to its mattifying powers, there's always the option of a makeup setting spray (you're welcome).
"I love Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, it's gentle even on the most sensitive skin types," says Taylor.
Now that we know the benefits of a skin tint, here are the tried-and-tested ones we really rate.
Best skin tints
ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30
ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30
This skin tint went viral and has since racked up nearly 10,000 5* reviews – impressive. You can read my in-depth ILIA Beauty review to learn all about the skin tint, but I'll quickly summarise if you're short on time. This is non-comedogenic and offers you SPF 30 sun protection, but what makes this a real winner is the coverage.
This is a pro at covering up my redness and is a tall drink of water (literally) for when my skin is parched and looking a bit worse for wear. It's super glowy but does provide really decent medium coverage if you build it up. Believe the hype.
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
I'm a huge Fenty Beauty fan but I must admit, this wasn't love at first swipe for me. I'm typically a full-coverage foundation gal (their Pro Filt'r is my fave of all time), so it took me a while to get used to the lightweight coverage of this one but once I did I reached for it constantly.
Unlike others, it doesn't drench your skin in hydration, so if you're on the oilier side this is a great pick. Coverage-wise, I find the longer I wear this, the better it gets (maybe it needs time to cook? Who knows?). What I do know is it seems to provide a filter-esque blurring effect to my skin; longevity-wise, it sticks around, too. It also comes in 25 shades, which is pretty unheard of for skin tints but is very on-brand for Fenty.
This was the product that sealed my love for skin tints. It contains a hydrating trio of hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane and meadowfoam seed oil (a great one for sealing in moisture) to relieve dry skin sufferers and top up moisture levels.
It makes my skin look like I've just had a facial (glowing, healthy-looking – you get the gist) and feel oh-so smooth. It's basically dewy skin in a tube.
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Lisa Edridge knows good skin – fact. So, it's no surprise I haven't met a base from her brand that I haven't liked, and this new skin tint is no exception.
It mixes prickly pear and sunflower seed oil (so those who are acne-prone might want to stay clear of this one), but if your skin requires some hydration, this is going to be your new BFF. It masks redness, pores and fine lines like a pro, without leaving your skin glistening with grease.
Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
I usually associate Iconic London with uber-glowy skin that doesn't exactly *scream* au natural, but this skin tint proved me wrong.
It's packed with amino acids and the brand's unique 'blurring-complex' – while I'm not 100% sure what this contains, I do know that it works.
My skin is left looking plump and dewy, while the product itself is super lightweight, so much so, it feels like I've got nothing on my skin. It's not high-coverage but it does disguise my redness and pigmentation brilliantly. It's like holiday skin in a bottle.
This skin tint is so good that it got the Cosmo beauty teams' seal of approval (you can read our in-depth review on Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Skin tint here).
This was easy-peasy to blend and left my skin looking as poreless as Barbie herself (well, almost). It didn't cover up my pigmentation, but it did leave my skin tone looking more even and wasn't so greasy that I needed to excessively powder throughout the day either.
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Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum
Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum
Technically this is a tinted serum, not a skin tint, but we're lax with the rules around here and love this so much it deserves a place in this tinted line-up.
Looks-wise it's often been compared to the iconic Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint, but I think this is far better (in my opinion), not to mention cheaper. It's watery in texture but isn't messy when blending, giving you sheer coverage that leaves skin seriously radiant.
My skin looks plumper, while my pores appear almost blurred out, like a faux filter. It didn't sink into my dry patches or fine lines and is non-comedogenic, so it won't break you out either. Well done, Rosie.
Hands-down one of my favourite Milk Makeup products. You know that golden hour light? Yeah, this is it in roller-ball form. While said roller-ball is a tad annoying when it gets clogged with product, the silky serum makes it worth it.
It's ace at evening out my skin tone in one roll and delivers some serious hydration (those with oily skin might need to err on the side of caution with this one). Did we mention it's vegan too?
Maybelline Super Stay up to 24H Skin Tint Foundation + Vitamin C
Maybelline Super Stay up to 24H Skin Tint Foundation + Vitamin C
If you want a sheen without the dew, this is your bottle. You get all the brightening benefits from the vitamin C-packed formula, but better wear time and more heavy-duty coverage than the other dewy options on our list.
I did find it turned a bit orange on me after application, but this isn't exactly an uncommon problem for me and my ghost-like complexion. It has a metallic sheen, which doesn't contain chunky glitter but might also not be for everyone.
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'Sheer' is the exact word that comes to mind when gliding this silky tint onto my skin, so it essentially does what it says on the tin. I needed to go in with some concealer to touch up my redder areas, but the glow it gave my skin was undeniable.
The hint of coverage it provided left my skin looking oh-so-fresh and will be a big hit among those with dry, dull skin. Seriously, there's no need for highlighter once you've applied this.
Yves Saint Laurent NU Bare Look Skin Tint
Yves Saint Laurent NU Bare Look Skin Tint
The jelly-like texture melts into the skin and the way the light hits this is *chef's kiss*. The hyaluronic acid-based formula leaves an enviable fresh finish behind, without leaving skin feeling sticky.
It did settle into the dry patches around my nose a little and even the palest shade was too yellow for me (I am ghostly pale, after all), but it really did deliver on its dewy skin claims.
Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation SPF20
Promising to stay put for eight hours and be sweat-proof, this serum-makeup hybrid is packed with hydrating oils (not mineral oil, but again, might be one to avoid if you're acne-prone) and offers SPF20 sun protection.
It was streak-free to apply and didn't settle into fine lines or the dry skin surrounding an active breakout (a win-win). I did find the palest shade out of the impressive 29 options did turn slightly orange once set (I do find this with a lot of Estée Lauder bases, tbh), so it might be worth opting for the lighter shade if you're debating between two.
I loved the smoothing effect it provided (even over a fresh patch of dermatitis – sexy, I know), so I'd definitely reach for this again.
