Are you in the market for a new foundation now, as we are sliding into the chilly season? Say goodbye to heavy, full-coverage foundations, and discover the world of hybrid tinted serum formulas. Editor Trudi Brewer has switched to makeup that promises to look as good as it feels. Read on to learn more.
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Proving that flawless skin doesn’t require a heavy hand, these skin-care-infused formulas blur, perfect, and hydrate while delivering lightweight coverage that looks effortlessly natural. While the premise sounds simple enough, as a beauty writer, I am often quizzed about the texture and longevity of a serum foundation. To address any concerns you may have about the formulation, here’s why I rate it.
It is lightweight, allowing your natural skin to shine through the coverage. These formulations include built-in skin-care ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide, as well as plant oils. The texture is weightless, like a serum. Still, if you want a little extra coverage under the eyes or to hide broken capillaries, these serum foundations play nice when layered with concealer.
But why they are on my radar is that they align perfectly with the skin-first beauty trend because they’re an effortless way to achieve a hyper-realistic-looking complexion, thanks to their light-reflecting properties and a hint of coverage.
How do you apply a serum foundation?
With these formulas, focus on hydration rather than heavy primers. Apply your moisturiser and SPF, wait a few minutes, then apply the serum foundation with her fingertips, pressing the formula directly into the skin. If you prefer to use a foundation brush, apply the foundation in the centre of the face and sweep it outward for a flawless, undetectable finish. For anyone who wants to wipe out shine, use a finely milled loose powder sparingly on high-movement areas, and keep the rest of the face fresh. Discover the serum foundations I rate below.
Clarins Double Serum Foundation 2-in-1 Hybrid, $105
A spinoff of the brand’s iconic Double Serum, Clarins’ new foundation delivers skincare benefits and a glowy complexion. Originally launched in 1985, Double Serum has undergone around nine iterations (the brand has continued to improve the formula with new botanicals). This cult serum has always targeted signs of ageing, leaving skin feeling plump and looking radiant. This new serum foundation contains 14 active anti-ageing skincare ingredients and Clarins’ A.U.R.A technology (which stands for Advanced Ultra Radiance Amplifier, FYI), designed to deliver skin radiance with a combination of natural ingredients, including glycerin, squalane, and illuminating microcrystals. Then there's the star ingredient, stabilised papaya fruit, which works as a gentle exfoliant, helping to improve skin tone and texture while you wear it. Finally, the bottle features a clever adjustable dial that lets you control the level of coverage you want, automatically adjusting the amount of serum dispensed. It is a gorgeous texture, fragrance-free, and a joy to apply each morning. There are 28 shades.
Back by popular demand, this new formula blends easily, offers a real-skin finish, and is compatible with most primers and concealers. Packed with skincare ingredients, including coconut alkanes and a silicone polymer, to deliver a silky finish. Iron oxide offers SPF 15 and colour pigments across 36 shades. At the same time, the antioxidant vitamin E nourishes the skin. It doesn’t settle into fine lines, and each blendable shade is classified by a second digit from 0 to 4 to indicate depth and undertone: P (pink) and R (red) indicate cool undertones, Y (yellow) indicates warmer undertones, and N is neutral. Because this foundation is only available online, if you are unsure of your shade, you can match your regular shade of foundation against The Ordinary Serum Foundation here, findation.com
Our style director, Louise Hilsz, swears by this serum tint, mixed with her primer or worn alone, it offers her that no-makeup-makeup look with ease. It’s water-light on the skin and feels like wearing almost nothing. It blends seamlessly with your fingers while offering skin-loving benefits, like niacinamide (vitamin B3), which promotes an even-looking skin tone, and squalane, which strengthens the skin's barrier and locks in moisture. It lives up to its reputation as a “Sheer serum foundation with skincare benefits.” It’s become Hilsz's go-to staple.
This foundation works well for those with oily or combination skin. The texture is sheer with one layer but buildable, offering a satin-matte finish. Also boasting food-for-skin ingredients like vitamin C, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and an SPF 20 mineral sunscreen. It offers 24-hour wear, is waterproof, and sweat-resistant, making it ideal for long days or humid climates. There are 20 shades.
A go-to foundation brand for many, this silky option offers a sheer finish, not a blanket cover, so if you want to hide blemishes or hyperpigmentation, you will need to use concealer too. But if you like to prioritise skincare, then the ingredients in this makeup are top-notch. They include hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and jojoba oil to deliver all-day hydration from a lightweight formula ideal for anyone with dry, dull skin. There are 61 diverse shades.
As close as real skin gets.