LIGHT BASES FOR SPRING / SUMMER

 

- Advertisement information: this post discusses items gifted to me with no obligation to share them (marked *). In addition I have / have had a brand relationship with Nars, Summer Fridays, Cult Beauty and Rose Inc (gifting) and Space NK (paid advertorial content). My blog has Skimlinks and RewardStyle installed to automatically monetise purchases of products I link on my blog, therefore this post may contain affiliate links. All opinions remain my own and please refer to my Disclosure Page  for further detail -  

Today we're talking light, breathable, natural and low-maintenance bases for spring / summer. To be honest; this is my all-year-round makeup vibe but I get that most people like a more full coverage for winter (and 'party season') then switch to something less fussy for the warmer weather. If you're looking for your new go-to complexion formula as we hopefully head into sunnier times; this is the post for you...

First up is something nice and versatile: the Merit Beauty Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick* (Suede) | £40 | full review | demo. This is a do-it-all complexion stick that works as a concealer (both to spot conceal and for under the eyes), as a foundation-like product that you can just use as and where you feel you need it or it can be thrown in your handbag for on-the-go touch-ups. It has the perfect texture for me; it's moisturising but not thin or greasy and it has a satin finish that doesn't crease or settle into pores or fine lines readily. You can simply swipe this directly onto where you'd like to apply it and blend out with a brush or the natural warmth of your fingertips. It's that perfect level of medium coverage that looks natural on the skin but actually does the job! I love it as a concealer with other complexion products or - for low-maintenance days - it works really well used alone.

Next, I have a criminally-underrated formula: the Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum* (Lesley) | £39 | demo. This is a creamy tinted serum formulated with added skincare extras like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to draw moisture into the skin. 1-2 pumps is enough for my kind of application. It's hydrating, moisturising (but not too dewy) and evens out redness and sallowness in the skin so it looks unified but still like skin. It just provides an overall complexion boost without covering the skin and it's great if you're just wanting to look a little more radiant and 'alive'. Really, my only negatives are that it can get a little shiny in problem areas as the day goes on and (even though I understand it's a tinted product) the shade range could be better, but overall it's such a flattering formula that I think will work for a lot of skin types (many people with mature skin also love this product).

A more recent love of mine is the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint (Shade 5) | £42 | mini review and demo. This is one of those daily staples that always seems to work for me! It's definitely on the dewier side of things, but my dry skin loves it. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide and moisturising plant oils to maintain skin health whilst also giving you the instant benefits of a tinted makeup product. It's very natural but gives the skin a lovely glow as well as offering that harmonising benefit for its tone. It's the most low-maintenance option of the bunch and I recommend it for dry and / or mature skin types that just need a hydrating complexion lift. It offers enough coverage to even out the skin's tone, though significant blemishes will require a little concealer. It never looks like makeup and it doesn't disappear from my skin throughout the day.

Next, we have the first product I ever tried in this category and - if I'm honest - probably still my favourite; it's a true all-rounder! The Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (St. Moritz) | £38 | full review | demo | is an oil-free formula that's still somehow so fresh on my skin. It's hydrating without even having a hint of shine and the longevity is amazing. It has a creamy texture and a little goes a long way with this product. It has a buildable coverage that just perfects the skin whilst still allowing my freckles and natural complexion to show through. It's somehow so natural and 'real-looking' whilst also breathing life back into dull, dry or tired skin and knocking out any redness. It's just a beautiful complexion product that's flattering and in the decade I've been using it, I've not noticed that it settles into pores or any of the fine lines I have coming through. This also comes in a much better shade range than most tinted complexion products, which - along with its finish - makes it my most universal recommendation.

Finally, we have probably the lightest, most refreshing product of the bunch in the Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum* (060) | £39 | full review | demo. This is not for those who suffer with surface shine, because it has a definitely-dewy finish. It's best understood as a hydrating serum (with ingredients like glycerin squalane, peptides and hyaluronic acid) with spheres of pigment that burst into a natural tint as you massage the product into your skin. It's hydrating, refreshing and honestly feels like nothing on the skin. It never looks like 'makeup' but can boost dull, sallow skin and helps to even everything out. The coverage is minimal but it's enough for a minimal makeup day when you just want to give your skin a little bit of help. I personally do need to set this with a little powder around the t-zone, but it really does look lovely on my skin and it lasts well too.

What's your favourite lightweight base?

Don't forget to follow me on:

Bloglovin | Instagram

Read more posts from this series here!

Share:

makeup, seasonal beauty, spring, summer, tinted moisturiser