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7 tinted serums for beautiful barely-there coverage

Sheer genius

By Delaney Loane

Digital Beauty Editor / May 06 2021

There are two types of makeup moods: the ones where you want to bronze, blend and bake your face within an inch of its life, and the ones where you literally cannot be bothered applying more than one product.

Luckily, there are options designed precisely to aid with the latter type of feeling. So, the next time you legitimately can’t make yourself apply skin care and makeup, try a serum foundation instead.

They’re like tinted moisturisers, only deliciously lightweight and even easier to apply. The skin care benefits also tend to pack a bit more of a punch when mixed into more concentrated serum form.

Considering their status as one of the freshest formulas to drop, however, it can be tricky to choose which are worth your face’s time. So, we’ve hunted down the very best – here are the top tinted serums to try for breathable, beautiful, barely-there coverage.

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation

Non-greasy, balancing coverage can be a tad tricky to find in a category of complexion products that are literally liquid, but this one features an array of soothing plant-based oils to glide on like a second-skin (but one that’s blessedly brighter, smoother and clearer than your actual skin, bless its heart).

Shop here.

Dior Nude Air Serum Foundation

Want something low-maintenance but high-end? We’ve got you. Or rather, Dior does, with this weightless fluid foundation. It’ll give your face the soft-focus ‘I’m wearing a filter’ effect that we’re all constantly craving in mere seconds.

Shop here.

Rationale #3 The Tinted Serum

One of our biggest base qualms? Even glowy-finish foundations seem to dull the post-skin-care-application shine. You know the one where your face is literally glistening? This guy will keep that glow going strong, thanks to the subtle (but striking) shimmery pigments within.

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Clinique Even Better Clinical Foundation SPF20

If you’re in the ‘I’m worried my base is detrimental to my skin and I need to correct multiple issues’ camp, this is your winning formula. An oil-free option with hydrating hyaluronic acid, balancing salicylic acid and brightening vitamin C all loaded in (plus, of course, enough coverage to add ample polish), it’s a true multitasking maestro.

Shop here.

Morphe Hint Hint Skin Tint

Why do we love this formula, you ask? It’s lightweight, long-wearing and cheap as chips (okay, high end chips; it’s $28, but that’s cheap as far as serum foundations go). Not only is it water, sweat and transfer-resistant, but it’s also a vegan buy that smoothes skin and blurs imperfections like a dream.

Shop here.

Oskia Nutri-Bronzer Adaptive Sheer Tinted Serum

If it’s a serum that makes you look sunkissed that you’re in search of, look no further. This plumping, glow-boosting blend of milk peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E will soothe, smooth and nourish skin while leaving your face looking fresh from an island vacay (if only, huh?).

Shop here.

Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum

Buildable and breathable are two of our favourite qualities in a tinted serum, and boy oh boy, does this one deliver in spades. It’s basically an extra few hours’ sleep in a tube, thanks to the plumping, soothing and energising effects of hyaluronic acid.

Shop here.

Main image credit: @allanface

After something full coverage instead? Here are the top formulas to try...