Credit: Courtesy of brands
Make-up
“I usually love a full-coverage foundation, but I can’t stop wearing these skin tints”
16 days ago
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4 min read
“I used to only wear full-coverage foundations, but these glossy skin tints have become my new go-tos,” says Charlotte Bitmead, Stylist’s senior beauty writer.
In the past, I’ve naturally gravitated towards full-coverage foundations; what’s the point of wearing a base product if it won’t conceal every blemish or camouflage my redness? But I’ve recently done a complete U-turn, thanks to skin tints.
Lightweight, subtle in coverage and glow-giving, skin tints are the foundation for any pared-back ‘no make-up make-up’ look. Your skin but better, essentially.
Lately, I’ve noticed that skin tints are all I’m using. I prefer the skin-like feel, delivering that enviable butter-like texture and finish that’s trending while also providing a hint of coverage to even out and brighten my skin tone.
I no longer have to worry if my foundation has gone patchy or cakey, nor do I have to do any touch-ups at lunchtime, as skin tints are essentially a concealer-moisturiser hybrid, so while they might wear in some areas, they’re going to fade away subtly and naturally.
If you’re looking for that post-facial glow bottled, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the skin tints I can’t stop reaching for.
Best skin tints
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Skin Tint
This gel-like formula is packed with a dewy finish, thanks to skincare favourites hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Despite being deeply hydrating, it’s non-comedogenic (so it won’t clog up your pores), fragrance-free and doesn’t disappear on the skin after an hour. This lived up to the hype and more, delivering juicy skin in one swipe.
Shop Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint - 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Skin Tint at Sephora UK, £34
Lisa Eldridge Beauty Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint
Enriched with squalane and prickly pear extract (rich in vitamins and fatty acids), this formula delivers a hydration hit to thirsty skin and doesn’t cling to dry patches. It’s an instant pick-me-up for tired skin.
Shop Lisa Eldridge Beauty Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint at Selfridges, £37
Sculpted By Aimee HydraTint
Stylist’s beauty director, Hanna Ibraheem, describes this as a “drink of water” for the skin. Its sheer coverage means she prefers to blend this formula out with her fingers to give skin an enviable fresh – not greasy – finish.
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Hailey Bieber is a fan of this Hourglass number, so you know it’s got to be good. Packed with skincare ingredients, this leaves skin looking plump and more even-toned from the get-go. You can layer this formula to build up the coverage, but either way, you’ll end up with a radiant complexion.
Ultra Violette Daydream Screen Tinted Veil SPF50
Considering its high SPF50 protection, this provided an impressive amount of coverage whilst feeling as light as air on the skin. It’s alcohol, oil and silicone-free for those who suffer from sensitivity and delivers a fresh-faced glow to complexions.
Shop Ultra Violette Daydream Screen Tinted Veil SPF50 at Sephora UK, £38
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
In true Fenty fashion, this comes in 25 shade options – quite extensive for a sheer skin tint – and melts into the skin to provide a blurring, dewy finish. Unlike many hydrating base products, this is humidity, sweat and transfer-resistant. Impressive.
Shop Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint at Boots, £29
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
For a skin tint, this provides a considerable amount of coverage and comes in 30 shades. Suitable for breakout-prone and sensitive skin, this gives you an even-toned complexion and SPF30 sun protection in one bottle.
U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator
A true skincare-make-up-hybrid, this tinted serum is glossy skin in bottle form. Filled with peptides, hyaluronic acid and collagen, this delivers long-lasting glow and hydration. Dry skin will drink this stuff up.
Clarins Skin Illusion Tinted Moisturiser SPF25
With a 94% skincare-based formula, this is going to look after your skin as you wear it. What’s not to love? With a weightless feel and smoothing effect, this has become my go-to for light make-up days for looking natural but effortless at the same time.
Shop Clarins Skin Illusion Tinted Moisturiser SPF 25 at John Lewis, £40
Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Foundation
If you’re still weaning yourself off heavier foundations, this doesn’t skimp on coverage but has an airiness about it that has you forgetting you’re wearing make-up. It’s grease-free without skimping on glow and blends into skin seamlessly.
Shop Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Foundation at Sephora UK, £29
Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator
Skin in serious need of some hydration? This is the base for you. If you find skin slurps up any moisture, leaving you bone-dry minutes after application, this promises 24-hour wear with zero flaking or dryness in sight.
Shop Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator at Boots, £34
Images: courtesy of brands
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