Armani recently reformulated their cult classic Luminous Silk Foundation ($69, Nordstrom and Sephora). As a longtime fan of the original I have to admit I was in a panic over the news and purchased a few backups just in case the new one ended up being completely different. After nearly a month of testing I am happy to report the new version is just as good as the original and my shade match 6.5 is still the same.
Armani added more shades in the lineup and changed the formula to include niacinamide. The two formulas are almost identical on my skin. You can see a demo of the new formula in action here with the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush. In my experience there is a slight difference in the coverage with the new one being just the slightest bit thinner and a bit sheerer, but the differences are barely detectable. A few of you noticed from my video though that the new one seems to have a little less pigment.
Coverage is still the same medium naturally glowy finish. I love that it glows but isn’t too emollient/dewy. It evens out the skin nicely in a natural looking way. Coverage is still natural so your skin does show through and I have a few dark spots (healing acne scars) that still show through underneath on my chin area. This can be fixed with concealer (I like Natasha Denona’s Hy-Glam Concealer for the best coverage with a creamy formula). I always set with a powder and lately I’ve been loving the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Loose Powder Shade 30 or Laura Mercier Translucent Loose (love this in multiple shades, the Rose Talc-Free Ultra Blur Version is also good too).
Most of the shades seem to be the same but there are a handful that have changed. They have a helpful shade chart to show which shades are different and the new recommended match (Shades 1.5, 4.25, 4.75, 7.5, 7.75 and 8 are different now).
In the hot summer months I love a good sheer natural-looking base and many of you do too! By popular request I’ve rounded up my favorite skin tints and sheer-bases for summer.
Here are my top ten favorites right now (in no particular order). I have normal combination skin and live in a very humid area. A lot of you have asked for sweat-proof makeup recommendations and unfortunately sometimes it can be so humid that nothing lasts outdoors. This time of year though I’m indoors as much as I can be, so these favorites hold up very well for me throughout the day.
Chanel Les Beiges
Chanel makes my favorite foundations, in particular the Les Beiges lineup. I love their formulas, shade undertones and the variety of finishes they offer. The Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($47 – 70) is available in a travel or full size format. This is the sheerest base I’ve tried that I like. It offers minimal coverage with a gel base and micro-droplets of pigment. It’s the best bare-skin effect base I’ve tried with a lightweight finish that has a fresh glow without feeling greasy. Since it’s so sheer I don’t need an exact match, I can wear either Medium or Medium Plus. Original review from 2019 here.
The Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch ($70) is similar in concept but has more coverage. I love the finish. It has medium coverage and blends out beautifully on the skin. I also love the texture and formula. Coverage is easy to control and layer without ever feeling heavy. I wear B40. Review and look on the skin here.
Summer Fridays
The Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint ($42) is another popular sheer tint and I love it. I do think the colors are limited (I would love to see more colors and more undertone options) but if you can find a match it’s great. I alternate between Shade 4 or 5 and sometimes mix them. Since I’ve bought these they have added a Shade 4.5 but it was warm/pinkish so I’ve decided to stick with my 4 and 5. Coverage is very sheer. It’s lightweight, dewy but not greasy, and natural looking. However if you have oily skin I do think this will be too dewy for you.
Lisa Eldridge
Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint is another very good sheer skin tint. I usually love applying tints with a brush or sponge but I think this one blends best with the warmth of your fingers. In my first order I picked out T7 and T8 based on her foundation shade chart. I tried a few samples of her foundation (wasn’t a fan) and my match was No 14. The color recommendations in the Sheer Skin Tints ended up being too light. I felt T9’s olive undertone would be too yellow so I ordered T10 which is a great match for my tan summer skin. I sometimes mix 8 and 10 though.
This is naturally glowy so you do need to set with a powder. Coverage is very sheer but buildable. It feels comfortable and lightly hydrating on the skin. A little goes a long way.
Supergoop!
Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint with SPF 50 ($44) has been getting a lot of love from me this year. I bought these when I still had my winter skin coloring and I tan easily, so by now I’ve ended up with multiple shades. For me 30W is the best match although I have used 24N and 26W. I’ve added swatches next to their GlowScreen (also love this) for reference. This is a natural looking base that has sheer medium coverage. It’s described as “lightweight” but I don’t know that I would agree with that description. It’s semi thick and you can definitely feel it on the skin. I still really like this for beach days or boat days.
It Cosmetics
The It Cosmetics CC+ tints have reached cult status and for good reason! I’ve tried every formula they have and the It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow ($47) is the best one. It has a thinner texture than most CC+ creams so it’s easier to blend and has a sheerer finish with medium coverage so it looks more natural on the skin. Since it’s not super thick like most CC creams it has a lighter weight feel. Can’t rave enough about this one. I wear Medium Tan.
Fenty + Rare Beauty
If you need something that isn’t too emollient or dewy I highly recommend checking out the Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint ($36) or Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer ($30). Both have a natural finish that is somewhere in between soft glow and satin with a subtle blurring effect. I think both are highly under-rated, they should get more love! I wear either Shade 9 or 10 in the Fenty and in the Rare Beauty I wear 24N. Coverage for both is sheer-medium. Enough to even out redness and smooth out the face without looking or feeling heavy. Skin still looks like skin.
below wearing Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint in Shade 10
Patrick Ta
The Patrick Ta Major Skin Crème Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo ($52) isn’t really a skin tint, but I’ve added it to the roundup because the finish is like that of a skin tint in solid cream foundation form. The finish is SO beautiful for both the cream and powder. The powder doesn’t have full intensity pigment so it doesn’t darken or alter the look of your foundation, it just sets in the most beautiful natural way. I wear Light Medium 2,full review here.
Sisley
Last on my list is the Sisley Phyto-Teint 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. Glides on with absolute perfection and has a very pretty finish. I prefer this Phyto-Teint Nude to the newer Phyto-Teint Perfection (which is full coverage, matte and isn’t as forgiving if you don’t have an exact match). I’ve repurchased once, but I don’t know that I’ll repurchase it a third time because of the price point, but the formula is exceptionally good. Full review here.
Best Foundation Brushes
For applying liquids and creams I usually love a beautyblender to blend and press everything into the skin, but I do have a few favorite brushes.
It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 is a great dual ended brush. The foundation side is ultra smooth and gives you streak-free coverage and blends everything to perfection. The smaller side is nice for blending out areas around the eyes or nose.
Fenty Foundation Brush 145 is a really nice one. It has a slightly wider shape and it’s angled which blends everything out smoothly.
Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush is one of the best ones for me. If I had to pick just one this would be it. It’s wider and angled without being too short/dense. I love the pointed tip to help blend in creases like around the nose.
I clean the brushes with warm water and Dawn Dish Soap. For stubborn creams I’ll do a double cleanse and after rinsing with warm water + dish soap, I’ll spritz some of the Sephora Collection Daily Brush Cleaner which is the best at dissolving cream products. A brush cleaning pad is essential. I’m using the Sigma Brush Cleaning Mat and love it.
For those of you who have been asking for an updated skin tint roundup I hope you found this helpful! If you want to share your favorite skin tints for summer, let me know what they are in the comments!
One of my favorite beauty brands Sisley launched a new foundation called the Phyto-Teint Perfection Foundation ($125). Sisley products are quite the splurge but in my experience everything I’ve ever tried whether purchased or a press sample has been exceptional in quality and performance.
The Sisley team sent over a few shades of their new foundation and new shades of Le Phyto Rouge Lipstick ($70) shades to try. Today I have a review + swatches.
Phyto-Teint Perfection Foundation
The Phyto-Teint Perfection Foundation is a medium-full coverage formula that gives a soft matte look with a blurred finish. It’s almost like wearing a filter on your face with the way it blurs out the skin. It’s described as “radiant matte” although to me it still feels like a true matte, perhaps a soft matte is a better description.
It’s described as having medium coverage that is buildable and I 100% agree. Still the pigment is opaque enough that I feel less is more. A little goes a VERY long way. I would recommend dotting or dabbing on spots around the face and blending with a brush or sponge. If you apply too much it will look thick.
You can see the transformation in this video linked below. It blends out really nicely.
Lasting power is very good. It sets to a beautiful finish I think I could probably skip powder.
Shade wise I’m in between colors as I am still my winter skin tone. The foundation shades in the 3 shade range should match in a month or so as match my other Sisley foundations (I still love the Phyto-Teint Nude reviewed here). The Sisley team sent 3N Apricot and 3W2 Hazel, both of which are a little too dark for me. I ordered 2W2 Desert in hopes it would match but there is quite a big gap between 2 and 3. Mixing the two gives me the perfect match right now. (I ordered from Selfridges and signed up for their year long flat rate global shipping.)
Overall love. I would say if you have texture or super dry skin this might emphasize imperfections as any matte finish will do. That being said my skin has been going through a hormonal skin flare up and I have break outs galore. This foundation covered everything so well and so smoothly I’ve gotten comments about how good my skin looks with this on (when underneath the base it does not).
Sisley added new shades of the Le Phyto Rouge Lipstick ($70). These are super creamy, opaque and the formula is absolute perfection. New colors include 201 Tokyo Rose and 45 Rouge Milano. Both pull very warm on me but in the tubes they look more on the neutral side. I love the formula and they don’t really have a scent (they smell like a natural kind of scent). Colors aren’t really me right now but I suspect with a tan I will be wearing 201 more.
Overall love the foundation. I don’t think it will be for everyone though as it’s very matte and I know a lot of you prefer a sheer or dewy finish. Lipstick formula is definitely worth checking out. They have lots of other colors to pick from and if you’re looking for a classic lipstick with great texture, lasting power and opacity the Le Phyto Rouge is among the best. In terms of Sisley lipstick formulas I have to say that the Phyto-Rouge Shine is still my favorite.
For skintone reference I’m linking an older Foundation Shade Guide Roundup I did in 2021. It lists my foundation and concealer shade matches with links to reviews I’ve done. I think it’s time for an update since some of these formulas have since been discontinued. I’ll try to put together an updated one. Quick note that the list is what my matches are most of the year. Right now I’m lighter than nearly everything on the list but I tan easily and will be back to my usual skin tone shade very soon.
Gucci Beauty launched a new concealer called the Concentre de Beaute Multi-Use Longwear Concealer ($47 each). I really love the new formula it and did a demo on my Instagram in partnership with Sephora. A lot of you had questions about the formula and color selection so I wanted to review it in more detail and include an updated roundup of their base products.
Multi-Use Longwear Concealer
The new Gucci Multi-Use Longwear Concealer is a medium coverage concealer with a lightweight texture and natural finish. It has enough pigment to cover my freckles and even out the under-eye area but still looks like skin (just better). I really like the wear and how it sets If you watch my video here you’ll see how it blends in seamlessly to look like skin. I applied it with the Fenty Concealer Brush which I recently bought and love.
The new concealer comes in wide range of shades with different undertones. According to their shade breakdown:
C is for cool – skin rarely tans, with pink hues
N is for neutral – skin tans sometimes, with both pink and golden hues
W is for warm – skin tans easily, with yellow or golden hues
For a shade match I found Shade 34N to be my best match under the eyes. It’s neutral, medium and just the slightest bit lighter than my skin, but very close. I usually prefer concealers close to my skin tone rather than having something 2-3 shades lighter for under eyes.
I ended up ordering multiple colors, mainly because I wanted to try them and also swatch them for those who are my skin twins. I did try all six and my first pick 34N ended up being the best. I also really like 28C or 31W for brightening. 35W can also work as an exact match for spot concealing.
Some of the W shades pull more yellow/olive than others. 32W pulls very yellow while 31W and 35W both pull more golden/neutral. Out of the 2 C undertone shades they look consistently pink in undertone. I only tried one of the N neutrals so I’m not sure how the other neutral shades run, but 34N is indeed very neutral.
Concealer is unscented and lasting power is pretty impressive. It did not crease or cake and I like that it sets on its own pretty well. The texture/pigment is similar to the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer with a slightly more matte dry down. If you need something more creamy and opaque this one may be too sheer for you in which case I’d recommend the Natasha Denona Hy-Glam, Givenchy or Tarte Shape Tape Radiant.
Gucci has launched several foundation formulas in recent years and the current formula available now is the Luminous Matte Finish Foundation ($69). My best match is 305N although it runs just a tiny bit light in color. I can make it work since it adjusts/oxidizes just slightly.
The next shade up is 310N and there is a pretty big gap (looks like at least 3 shades darker). This foundation has one of the best matte finishes I’ve tried. I typically do not like matte foundations because they often feel too thick and look flat. This one however has a really nice finish and great lasting power. I would wear this one more often if I had an exact shade match. I adjust this one with one by mixing in one of the Elf Halo Glow Filters (usually Shade 5 or 7).
Gucci’s Matte Beauty Powder is cased in one of the prettiest compacts I’ve ever seen. There’s a compartment for a puff which I love. It’s described as “matte” but there are actually some shimmer particles in it but once applied on the face the shimmer isn’t really visible on the skin. I wear Shade 4 (seems to be discontinued now) or Shade 5.
It’s a nice powder but there are a few downsides. One is this is heavily fragranced. It’s not unpleasant but I find it on the strong side. The other is that it’s prone to hard-pan but this happens when there is oil on your powder brush whether it’s oil from touching your face or moisturizer residue or even your fingers.
I’ve managed to keep mine clean but I am really careful with what brushes I use. I’m a little OCD about having clean brushes and am constantly washing them so I almost always have a clean powder brush when I use this. Overall nice and performs well, but it’s not my favorite. I have used a few compacts up entirely and just bought a fresh one. I like it, but I think there are better formulas out there.
Brume de Beaute Mist
The Gucci Beauty Face Mist is another great product. It’s a multi-tasking product you can use to prep the skin or set your makeup. It’s a bi-phase formula with Black Rose Oil and hyaluronic acid. The top dispenses a super fine mist and feels super refreshing on the skin. I think it makes for a really nice luxurious splurge, but it does have a floral scent to it. If fragrance is a no-go for you I think the MAC Fix+ or Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Sprays are great options.
Multi-Use Illuminating Drops
Last but not least is another look at their Illuminateur de Beaute Multi-Use Drops. This is one of the prettiest liquid highlighters I’ve tried. It’s glowy with the perfect amount of pigment & glow for me. The color is a peachy champagne which I really love for medium/tan skin but I think it will work for any skin tone.
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That wraps up my Gucci Beauty Concealer review! If you’re around the same skin tone as me I hope you found the swatches helpful!
I’ve been really loving Givenchy Beauty these days and thought I’d do a roundup review featuring some things I’ve tried and loved from the Prisme Libre line for the complexion.
The Prisme Libre Glow Foundation has a lightweight texture that is easy to blend with medium coverage. It’s similar in concept to the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation but the Givenchy’s texture is not as thick making it easier to blend with a more comfortable feel and finish. There is a very slight amount of oxidation on this as it sets but it pretty much stays true to color from when you first apply.
The Prisme Libre Hydrating Radiant Creamy Concealer is pure love. I swatched a few in store and could have used a few different shades but C305 works for my under eye area to brighten and even out the skin. It has a creamy feel and is really easy to blend. I like that it doesn’t settle into fine lines. It doesn’t cake or crease on me. The applicator is cushiony and picks up a good amount of product so you don’t need to keep pumping the tube.
Setting Powder
For setting the Prisme Libre Loose Setting Powder is one of the best loose powders I’ve tried. It’s finely milled and sets to blurred perfection. I’ve tried 3 shades based on your requests. I first picked up Shade 4 Mousseline Acidulee which is described as best for medium skin tones. It works well even though the green and lilac color correcting shades can be a bit intimidating. I don’t personally need color correcting but it’s the only shade right now for medium skin tones.
I also tried Shade 3 Voile Rose and Shade 5 Popeline Mimosa. I can make them work depending on what base I’m using. I think in the winter months I can definitely use Voile Rose without it looking too light. Most of the time Popeline Mimosa is a bit too dark/tan but I tan easily.
Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blush
Saved the best for last! I think the Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blushes are so fun. They will definitely take a bit more effort to apply compared to a compact powder blush but I don’t mind at all. These come with a little puff that you can dab onto the cheeks. I prefer using a brush since it mixes the colors better when you swirl and apply. The puff is workable but with the way the loose pigments disperse into the lid sometimes I end up getting uneven application and patches of some colors show up a bit blotchy.
I posted a video demo on Reels to show the color in action. I would say pigment varies depending on how dry/oily your skin is and if you have a cream blush underneath.
When I have a fully powdered matte face the powders pull a bit lighter. When there is even just a slight amount of oil or cream on my skin the colors darken a bit and more pigment shows up. You can probably see the slight oxidation/darkening of Shade 2 on my reel a bit better.
I am wearing different lips to match each blush, but the rest of the look breakdown includes:
I don’t have much to report on the lips from Givenchy. I used a number of lipstick shades in the past but I think a lot of the formulas have since been reformulated or discontinued. I did try a few of the Rose Perfecto Tinted Liquid Balms but was a bit underwhelmed. They’re nice but not extraordinary (in my opinion). They just launched the Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet Lipstick which I have ordered and will review.
If you have any favorites please let me know in the comments!
Chanel added a new product to their No 1 de Chanel skincare line with three shades of the No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers ($60 each for 1 fl oz). These are radiant illuminators that combine skincare and tint in one. The No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers contain the Red Camellia Extract and Red Camellia Oil which are supposed to help revive and protect the skin.
These can be worn on their own all over or as a primer underneath foundation. The three shades have a medium texture consistency – not liquid/fluid but not super thick like a cream. They do have a hydrating feel and a little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot.
I’ve played with these a few ways. The shimmer is fine enough that I can apply all over the face in place of foundation for an all over glow. If I set with a good medium coverage powder on top like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder or Chantecaille Compact Makeup the result is a naturally radiant glow from within kind of look, almost like fresh skin that is softly powdered.
I also like using as a primer underneath foundation or mixed in with foundation for a little more glow.
There are three shades, Soft Pink is a pearly soft peachy pink, Medium Coral is a peachy shade, Intense Amber is a very warm golden amber shimmer. On my skin tone which is a Chanel B40/BD41/B50/BD51 I can use either Soft Pink or Medium Coral on their own. I also like the two mixed.
There are lots of complexion enhancers out right now and for a similar finish, I would say the Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter is the most similar in the way it looks on the skin. Of course the formulas and shades are completely different, but for a glow product I can wear all over the face on its own without looking like a disco ball, I feel these are similar. The Elf product is primarily makeup and the shades are closer to skin tone shades while the Chanel is noticeably more hydrating and the colors work to almost brighten the skin with the pink and peach tones.
Bottom line: love. I didn’t expect to love these as much as I do since I already am a die-hard fan of the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Both of those come in skin tones so I wasn’t sure I would like the No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers since the colors aren’t really skin tones.
The Chanel has a beautiful luxurious feel and adds a soft radiance to the skin. The tint in the base adds more life to the skin by adding some warmth. I will say that if you have super oily skin these may be too hydrating for you.
Bobbi Brown just added new items to their Vitamin Enriched line with a new Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint ($46) and Pressed Finishing Powder ($48). I’ve been testing both for a few days now and I think they are definitely worth checking out!
The Vitamin Enriched Face Base has been one of my favorites for a long time. It’s one of the best multi-tasking primer-moisturizers in one. It works well with a wide range of foundation formulas and by now I’ve lost track of how many I’ve used up. I like that it hydrates and really sinks into the skin (while most primers seem to sit on top). It is scented with geranium and grapefruit but I haven’t had any issues with the fragrance on my skin.
The Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint is a tinted face base with SPF 15. It is very hydrating and semi-thick but blends out easily with a sponge. I did a demo applying with a brush on Instagram Reels and it blends out nicely, but the best way is to blend and dab with a sponge.
I applied it on top of the Face Base Moisturizer. Swatches below of Medium 1 and Medium 2.
A little goes a long way and it gives very natural sheer coverage. If you need more coverage your best option it layer concealer on top, the formula of the base itself will be too thick if you try to layer it for more coverage.
I was sent Medium 2 which was too dark when I tried it last week. I ordered Medium 1 which was a better match, but we spent the weekend outdoors including a day on the boat so my skin tanned and now Medium 2 works. I feel like I’m forever having to purchase multiple shades since I tan so easily.
So far I really like the way it feels and makes my skin look. Since I have combination skin I 100% recommend setting with a powder.
Formula of the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Pressed Finishing Powder is pretty good when you first apply but it does not last long enough for me. It’s lightweight, blurs, sets and is sheer enough that your skin shows through. I was sent the Neutral color which is a good match. It’s sheer enough that it’s forgiving so you don’t need an exact match, but the formula looks a little too powdery on my skin.
If I apply with a lighter hand for sheerer application I can’t get enough product onto my skin. I think this isn’t the powder for my skin type but I can definitely see it working better for normal/dry skin types. For me the base is best when set with other powders like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder or Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder.
Tank – Reformation (tank is very fitted, recommend sizing up, I’m wearing a Medium)
Overall I love the new tint. I think it will be even better for me when the weather cools down (which won’t be for a while). If you have dry skin I think you will love it. For me it performs better than the Hourglass Veil Tint. If you have normal, combo or oily skin I think you may find it too thick or hydrating for your skin type in which case I’d recommend the YSL Nu Bare Look Tint or Too Faced Born This Way Healthy Glow Skin Tint.
I think the powder is nice, just not for my skin type. But if you’re looking for a hydrating blurring formula I highly recommend checking it out.
