How to Use a Skin Tint for Natural-Looking Makeup

Foundation is a perennial makeup bag staple, but if you’re looking for something that offers lighter, sheerer coverage, it may be time to add a L’Oréal Paris skin tint to your arsenal, too. Thanks to the popularity of TikTok trends like skinimalism and no-makeup makeup looks, these versatile makeup products are having a major moment. They bridge the gap between makeup and skincare, offering natural-looking coverage to enhance and even your skin tone. Ahead, we’ll share everything you need to know about tinted serum and skin tints, including what they are, why we love them, and how to use L’Oréal Paris’ skin tints in your everyday makeup routine.

What Is a Tinted Serum?

Tinted serums and skin tints are a type of liquid base makeup used to help even out the skin tone. In comparison to standard foundations, tinted moisturizers, and BB and CC creams, skin tints provide very sheer coverage. They’re not designed to hide imperfections as much as they’re meant to help subtly even out the complexion and add a soft, natural-looking glow. Many skin tints are also formulated with skincare ingredients and help hydrate the skin, making them a great option for those who prefer the ease of multi-tasking makeup products.

What is the difference between skin tint serum and foundation?

The primary difference between skin tints and foundation is how much coverage they offer. Skin tints, on the whole, are fairly sheer—while many formulas are buildable, the amount of coverage still falls on the lighter end of the spectrum. Foundations, meanwhile, can offer light, medium, or full coverage, depending on the formula you choose and how you apply it.

The formulas can also vary. Skin tints are like facial serums in texture: lightweight, hydrating, and fluid. Foundations come in liquid, cream, or powder formulas and may have a natural, dewy, radiant, or matte finish. And while foundation falls squarely into the “makeup” category, skin tints can be considered more of a skincare-makeup hybrid. 

What Are the Benefits of Using a Skin Tint?

• They offer natural-looking coverage: Skin tints help to very subtly even the skin tone to help diminish the appearance of redness or unevenness without appearing obviously “made up.” They’re a great option for minimalist makeup looks, since the coverage they provide is sheer, fresh, and natural-looking.
• Many boast skincare benefits: As a skincare-makeup hybrid, skin tints are often designed to help address skin concerns such as dryness, dehydration, or uneven skin texture. Some also contain SPF to help shield your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. 
• They feel light on the skin: Skin tints have a lightweight, serum-like consistency. The finish after application is breathable and non-cakey—think glowy and fresh, not matte.
• Skin tints are versatile: Skin tint serums are versatile—you can wear one on its own for a gorgeous, subtle glow, or pair it with other products for a more dramatic makeup look. Skin tints are super buildable, too, so a little goes a long way.

The Best L’Oréal Paris Skin Tint To Try

L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Le Glow Tint

Start your no-makeup makeup routine off on the right foot with this glowy skin tint. The lightweight formula is made with reflective pearls, blurring pigments, and an 82% hydrating serum to deliver a healthy soft-lit glow and minimize the appearance of imperfections. Its weightless texture lets it melt into the skin for a breathable, barely-there, second-skin finish. Plus, the tint is easy to blend and build, creating a moisturized glow that doesn’t feel greasy. It’s available in 16 glowy shades, and suitable for all skin types.

L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum

Hydrate your skin and camouflage imperfections with ultra-light tinted serum. The hyaluronic acid-infused formula contains luminous mineral pigments and offers a lightweight veil of natural-looking coverage. Immediately, your skin will appear brighter and more even, while continued use over time leaves the skin feeling smoother and more hydrated. There are 14 diverse shades to choose from—select your closest match from the lineup and apply it with your fingers or a beauty blender until you reach your desired level of coverage. 

How To Apply Skin Tint in 5 Easy Steps

One of the best things about adding a L’Oréal Paris tinted serum or skin tint to your routine is that they’re incredibly easy to apply, no matter your skill level. Ahead, we’ll break down how to ensure a gorgeous, natural-looking application every time.

Step 1: Prep your skin

Before reaching for your L’Oréal Paris skin tint, you’ll want to prep your skin properly to help ensure a smooth, even base. Start by washing your face to remove any dirt or impurities, then apply your toner, serum, and moisturizer as usual. If you’ll be heading outdoors during the daytime, remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect your skin from the sun. If you need a recommendation, we’re fond of the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Fluid, as it’s lightweight, suitable for all skin types, and layers beautifully under makeup. 

Step 2: Apply primer if needed

Next, apply a makeup primer to help create a smooth canvas for your makeup products (and help ensure they stay in place). For the best results, we suggest picking a primer that aligns with your skin type and concerns—the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab line has four to choose from, all of which are non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. For a your-skin-but-better finish, try the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Pore Minimizer, which helps blur the appearance of imperfections for smoother-looking skin.

Step 3: Apply skin tint

Next, use clean fingers to smooth your skin tint over your face. Then, using your fingers or a makeup blender (it’s your choice), gently work the product from the center of your face outward in light strokes. If you’re using a makeup sponge, we suggest bouncing and buffing the product onto your skin for a smooth, streak-free finish. 

Step 4: Build if necessary

Skin tints are designed to be buildable, so you can start small and add more product as necessary. Even if you do decide to go in with a second layer, though, the trick is to keep it light. Just remember, less is more with this product in your makeup routine.

Step 5: Set your skin tint

Once you’ve applied your L’Oréal Paris skin tint, you definitely want to make sure it stays in place. Set it with a translucent setting powder, which you can dust lightly all over the face with a brush or sponge. Or, if you want a dewier finish, skip the powder altogether and mist your face with a long-lasting setting spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist. 

What Products Should You Use With a Skin Tint?

You can certainly wear your L’Oréal Paris skin tint by itself if you’re after a truly minimal makeup look. But if you want to amp it up a bit, there are plenty of products that pair well with a lightweight base. The trick is to use lightweight, serum- or cream-based products that will blend well with your dewy, glowy base. 

If you have any areas that could benefit from a bit of additional coverage, use a lightweight concealer, such as the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer. It contains hyaluronic acid and helps minimize the appearance of dark circles and visibly de-puffs under eye bags. You can even use a shade slightly darker than your skin tone to softly contour your face. 

For your cheeks, we suggest sticking with a blendable liquid blush, such as the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush. It comes in six shades—three glowy, three dewy—and provides a buildable wash of color for a natural-looking flush. The same goes for the lips—consider using a lightweight tinted balm, like the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract, for a soft, flattering pop of color and hydration. 

Finally, if you tend to get shiny as the day goes on, consider stashing a powder in your bag to help mattify your skin as needed. We love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder, which offers breathable coverage and helps mattify the skin without a cakey look or feel. 

Next Up: How To Find Your Foundation Shade Match: An Expert Guide

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris