If you're all about lightweight coverage that lets your freckles show and your skin breathe, knowing how to apply tinted moisturiser is a must. More of us are swapping out heavier, traditional foundations in favour of fresh, natural-looking coverage.
There's more than one reason to love tinted moisturisers – they have the ability to make our skin look and feel elevated. The hybrid complexion product – which is sometimes also called a skin tint – is known for giving glowy, light to medium coverage while also delivering major skincare benefits (you’ll often see ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, and niacinamide listed on the bottle).
Being a different format to foundation though, it deserves some dedicated time devoted to ensuring you're getting the best out of it – and are applying it correctly – to get the coverage and longevity you need.
We asked celebrity makeup artist, Neil Scibelli, to give us a rundown on what we need to know. Ahead he's helped break down exactly how to apply tinted moisturiser.
Our favourite tinted moisturisers, at a glance:
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How do you choose the right tinted moisturiser for you?
With a wealth of tinted moisturisers on the market (we’re talking liquids, sticks, and balms, formulas with SPF, formulas for mature skin, lightweight skin tints – the list goes on), how do you determine which is the right one for you?
For starters, know what to expect. This isn’t a full-coverage foundation, so precision isn't the name of the game. Instead, a tinted moisturiser will deliver a “your skin but better" finish. The sheer formula means the shades can stretch quite a bit and still feel forgiving when properly blended. As for coverage, you might still see some texture, but all tinted moisturisers should even out your skin tone, add a little tint, and deliver a good dose of moisture.
To tailor your tinted moisturiser to you, make sure you know what your skin type is. “Each product will offer a unique formula and a specific finish,” says Neil. “Understanding your skin and what the product offers will help you make the right decision when purchasing.” If you have dry skin, any tinted moisturiser is going to give you the hydration your skin’s craving, but specifically looking for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or squalane will really do the trick. Sensitive skin types will appreciate nourishing ingredients like niacinamide or ceramides. Oilier skin types should opt for a mattifying or gel formula to keep shine at bay.
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What is the best way to apply a tinted moisturiser?
Start any makeup routine with a clean face. You can even think of your skincare routine as an extension of your makeup, because a good base is key, as it applying the products in the right order. If you like using a serum, moisturiser, or primer, go in with one of those first, followed by your SPF (always!). Though some tinted moisturisers do have sunscreen in them, you’re likely not applying enough on your skin to get the full sun protection value. So for extra protection, add your favourite sunscreen to your routine. Then it’s time for the star of the show: your tinted moisturiser.
BYOMA Brightening Serum
- Strength: 3%.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Key ingredients: Barrier-boosting tri-ceramide, hyaluronic acid.
- Skin type: Best for dry skin types.
Why we love it: Keen to get to the source of any problems, all BYOMA products are infused with Tri-Ceramides that help to boost, repair, and restore the skin barrier. This ultra-lightweight formulation puts on brightening and smoothing the skin — by tackling uneven texture, lightening scars and patches of pigmentation, and providing a serious hit of hydration. Expect to feel nourished and radiant — all for a pretty affordable price.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
- Strength: 2%.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Key ingredients: Propolis extract.
- Skin type: Ideal for acne and blemish-prone skin types.
Why we love it: When it comes to beauty and wellness products, arguably no country does it better than South Korea – and this serum is a prime example. Formulated for sensitive, acne-prone and blemish-prone skin, this Korean serum addresses multiple skin concerns and contains niacinamide and propolis extract, the latter of which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Start by putting a small amount of tinted moisturiser (you can always add more) either on the back of your hand or directly onto your face. Grab your favourite foundation brush or makeup sponge, or you can use your fingers to blend. “I’ll typically apply a tinted moisturiser with a synthetic foundation brush first to distribute the product evenly,” says Neil. He focuses on layering, building from light coverage to fuller coverage as needed.
Apply in upward and circular motions. “I typically apply a tinted moisturiser in an upward motion,” he says. If you have some hyperpigmentation, breakouts, blemishes, or dark circles you want to cover up or want some extra brightening power, this is where a concealer steps in: “I’ll go in with a concealer and conceal any spots that are peeking through the tinted moisturiser,” he says.
If you prefer a lighter, sheerer coverage, “sponges can be a great option,” he says, since makeup sponges can soak up some of the product. “You can also do a final blend with a sponge once you've initially applied the tinted moisturiser to your skin if needed,” he says. This helps diffuse the product for an airbrushed, skin-like finish.
Setting powder is one of the most misunderstood products. Even some of the glowiest makeup looks will call upon a powder for some tactical (and invisible) setting or to neutralise shine where it's not needed. “Applying a powder over a tinted moisturiser is something I recommend to anyone who is looking to set their makeup for longer wear, for a slightly less dewy finish, or to control oil in their T-zone,” says Neil.
Just make sure you use it sparingly. “I personally like to target where the powder is going so the skin still looks multidimensional,” Neil says. “I typically will powder more of the centre of the face, like the centre of the brows and around the nose and mouth area.” This way your face won’t look too matte, but you’ll still get long wear.
Once your base is set, it’s time to play with the rest of your makeup and get out the door. For a quick and easy look, a touch of bronzer, blush, and mascara can do the trick: “I think cream blushes are the perfect balmy finish to top off a tinted moisturiser,” says Neil. If you like a more bronzed look, you can even add bronzing drops into your tinted moisturiser when you’re applying, he recommends.
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What’s the difference between tinted moisturiser and skin tint?
There’s plenty of crossover between the two, and the names are often used interchangeably, but usually the key difference lies in their primary purpose. A tinted moisturiser is, first and foremost, a moisturiser with added pigment, so formulas tend to have a creamier texture and contain hydrating skincare ingredients alongside light coverage. A skin tint, meanwhile, is primarily designed to even out the complexion with a sheer wash of colour and typically has a lighter, more fluid consistency. It’s worth noting that many newer skin tints contain hydrating ingredients, too – but they generally sit at the sheerer, more lightweight end of the complexion spectrum.
This article was originally published on GLAMOUR US.
