During the hot summer months, we love a natural-looking sheer base, and we know you do too! In response to your requests, we’ve compiled a list of the best skin tints and sheer bases for summer.
Here are my top 10 favorites right now (in no particular order): I have normal-combination skin and live in a very humid area. A lot of people ask me for recommendations on sweat-resistant makeup, but unfortunately, the humidity can be so high that nothing lasts outdoors. However, since I spend as much time inside as possible this time of year, these favorites last really well all day.
Chanel Les Beiges
Chanel foundations are my favourite, especially the Les Beiges range – I love the versatility of their formulas, shades and finishes. Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint ($47-$70) trip or Full Size FormatThis is the sheerest base I’ve ever tried. The gel base and microdrop pigments give it minimal coverage. It’s not greasy and the finish is light with a fresh glow, making this the best bare-looking base I’ve ever tried. It’s so sheer that you don’t need a perfect match and it can be used in both medium and medium-plus shades. Original review From 2019, click here.
of Les Beiges Water Fresh Complexion Touch ($70) is similar in concept but with more coverage. I love the finish. It has medium coverage and blends beautifully on the skin. I also love the texture and formula. The coverage is easy to control and can be built up without feeling heavy. I use B40. Review and Appearance Here on the skin.
Summer Friday
of Summer Friday Sheer Skin Tint ($42) is a popular sheer tint that I love. I think the colors are limited (I wish there were more color and tone options), but it’s great if you can find a match. I alternate between shades 4 and 5, sometimes mixing them together. They added shade 4.5 since I bought this, but I decided to stick with 4 and 5 because it was warm/pinkish. The coverage is very sheer. It’s light and dewy but not greasy, and the finish is natural. I think it’s too dewy for oily skin, though.
Lisa Eldridge
Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint This is also a very good sheer skin tint. I usually like to apply tints with a brush or sponge, but I find this one is best blended with the warmth of your fingers. For my first order, I chose T7 and T8 based on the foundation color chart. I tried a few samples of her foundation (didn’t like them) and the one that suited me was No. 14. The color recommendation for the sheer skin tint was too light. I felt the olive undertone of T9 was too yellow, so I ordered T10, which matches my tanned summer skin well. However, I sometimes mix 8 and 10.
It has a natural glow so you need to finish with powder. The coverage is very sheer but buildable. It feels comfortable on the skin and is lightly moisturizing. A little goes a long way.
Supergoop!
Supergoop! Protec (Tint) Daily SPF Tint (SPF 50) ($44) is my favorite shade this year. I bought it when I had a winter skin tone, but I tan easily, so now I own multiple shades. The 30W is my best match, but I’ve also used the 24N and 26W. Glow Screen (I also love this one) FYI. This is a natural looking, sheer to medium coverage base. It’s described as “lightweight” but I’m not sure I agree with that description. It’s a bit thick and you can definitely feel it on your skin. I really love this for beach or boat days.
It Cosmetics
It Cosmetics’ CC+ Tints are a cult favorite, and for good reason! I’ve tried all of their formulas and… It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow ($47) is the best. It has a thinner texture than most CC+ creams, so it blends easily, and the medium coverage with a more sheer finish looks natural on the skin. It’s not too thick like most CC creams, so it feels lightweight on the skin. I can’t say enough great things about this product. I use the Medium Tan shade.
Fenty + Rare Beauty
If you’re looking for something that’s not too moisturizing or too shiny, Fenty Ease Drop Blurring Skin Tint ($36) or Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer ($30). Both have a natural finish that’s somewhere between a soft glow and satin, with a subtle blurring effect. I think they’re both underrated and deserve more love! I use shade 9 or 10 in the Fenty and 24N in the Rare Beauty. Both have a light-medium coverage. It’s enough to even out redness and smooth out the face, but doesn’t look or feel heavy. It leaves the skin looking like skin.
The photo below shows the product using Rare Beauty’s Tinted Moisturizer 24N (more details here)
In the photo below I am wearing Fenty Ease Drops Blurring Skin Tint Shade 10.
Patrick Ta
of Patrick Ta Major Skin Cream Foundation & Finishing Powder Duo ($52) is not a skin tint, but I added it to the roundup because the finish is like a solid cream foundation skin tint. The finish is so beautiful in both the cream and powder. The powder is not full strength pigmented so it doesn’t darken or change the look of your foundation and it sets in in the most beautiful and natural way. I use Light Medium 2. Read the full review here.
Sisley
The last one on the list is Sisley Phyto Tan Nude ($110). This is an incredibly pricey option, but the formula is impeccable and for me it was worth the splurge. It has a beautiful fluid texture and finish. It glides on perfectly and leaves a very clean finish. I love this. Phytotan Nude To something new Phytotan Perfection (It’s full coverage and matte, so it’s less forgiving if you don’t have a matching color.) I’ve bought it once and I’m not sure I’ll buy it a third time, considering the price, but the formula is very good. Read the full review here.
Best foundation brush
My favorites for applying liquids and creams are Beauty Blender I use it to blend and press everything into the skin, but I also have a few brushes that I love.
It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 It’s a great dual ended brush – the foundation side is super smooth, covers evenly and blends everything perfectly, the smaller side is great for blending the areas around the eyes and nose.
Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush And that Vanish Foundation Brush Both are very pleasant to the touch and blend perfectly with the cream.
Fenty Foundation Brush 145 The is really nice, it’s got a slightly wider shape and is angled so it blends everything together smoothly.
Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush This is one of the best eyeshadows for me, and if I had to pick just one it would be this one. It’s wide and angled, but not too short or dense, and the pointed tip makes it perfect for blending into creases, around the nose etc.
I wash my brushes with warm water and Dawn Dish Soap. I do a double cleanse for any stubborn creams, then rinse with warm water and Dash Soap. Sephora Collection Daily Brush Cleaner It’s great for dissolving cream products. The brush cleaning pad is a must. I Sigma Brush Cleaning Mat And love it.
If you want the latest roundup of skin tints, I hope this was helpful. If you have any skin tints you would like to share for the summer, let me know in the comments.
Source: The Beauty Look Book – thebeautylookbook.com
