These Makeup-Skincare Hybrids Are Basically All I Wear on My Face These Days
I’ll be honest: One small silver lining of the pandemic has been skipping a full face of makeup every day. I used to love wearing makeup, but now it feels unnecessary—and annoyingly, it always ends up caked on my face mask anyway. No-makeup makeup days, once reserved for weekends, have become my go-to: a little concealer or color here and there to help perk up my look for Zooms, coffee runs, or the odd occasion I leave my borough.
Luckily, if the latest crop of product offerings is any indication, I’m not alone. Makeup-skincare hybrid products are all the rage. As we settle into a new routine of "skinimalism," it's all about sheer skin tints, barely there lash tints, and pretty much anything else that has the word "tint” in it. But it’s the added skincare benefits that set these products apart and make them worth using day after day. Without further ado, keep scrolling for the 15 makeup-skincare hybrids that are filling my cosmetic bag these days.
A peek at my standard no-makeup makeup look: tinted moisturizer, a touch of concealer, lash tint, and tinted lip balm.
Sheer Complexion Enhancers
On days I want just enough coverage, this gel-like tinted moisturizer evens out my skin tone, lends a dewy finish, and adds sun protection.
If you prefer mineral sunscreens, this is another fantastic tinted-moisturizer option. Plus, it’s made with a slew of skincare ingredients including hyaluronic acid and brightening licorice root extract.
A lot of face serums give skin a glow, but this one literally contains light-reflecting pigment, making it the two-in-one you didn’t know you needed. Dab a bit on your cheekbones as highlighter, or mix in a few drops with your tinted moisturizer for a boost in both radiance and hydration.
This serum acts like a primer, so you can apply it before tinted moisturizer, or you can skip it altogether for a glass-skin look courtesy of diamond mineral powder.
There’s sunscreen, and then there’s Glowscreen, and those who have tried the latter know that it’s in a class all its own. The sheer, peachy tint helps even out skin tone, and it imparts a slight sheen that looks just as good over makeup, too (if that’s your speed).
Eye Products With Benefits
There’s a reason this under-eye balm became an instant best seller. In fact, there are several reasons: It hydrates and cools skin on contact, it instantly brightens dark circles, and it’s packed with skin-loving ingredients. Bonus: You can also swipe it on your cheekbones as a highlighter.
On days when you just need a hint of concealer to look a little more like yourself, this vitamin-packed, serum-like formula does the trick. And the rollerball applicator? Genius.
Three words: tinted eye cream. Tatcha combined the anti-aging properties of hyaluronic acid and its proprietary Hadasei-3 superfood blend with light-reflecting pigments and pearl extract for a formula that wakes up under-eyes right away and over time. Perfection.
With castor oil, jojoba esters, and plant-derived protein, this lash tint is like wearing conditioner instead of mascara. Plus, it’s offered in black, brown, or clear so you can opt for a bit of color or none at all.
I still love a Too Faced Better Than Sex moment for special occasions, but more often than not, I want a little color to help my lashes stand out. This moisturizing mascara adds just enough oomph, and the teeny brush gets to every lash.
Tinted Lip Treatments
As comfy as a balm and as shiny as a gloss, these vitamin-enriched lip oils are a recent fave. There are seven sheer shades to choose from, plus a clear one that will take you right back to middle school (in the best way).
From Bobbi Brown’s new beauty line, Jones Road, comes this multipurpose pot. Use it to moisturize lips or to add a sheer wash of color on cheeks or eyes.
This formula is made with hyaluronic acid, which adds a bonus plumping effect you don’t often find in a balm. And how cute is the sporty tube?
Don’t forget: Lips need sun protection too! This little balm has SPF 15 and comes in four universally flattering shades that look perfect far beyond the beach.
The crowds go wild every time Glossier drops a new flavor of its jammy lip balms. The latest? Sweet Cookie Butter, complete with a sheer caramel hue.
Up next: 10 Hypoallergenic Makeup Brands That Won't Phase Your Ultra-Sensitive Skin
Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's originally from Atlanta, but she's sorry to report she doesn't have an accent. However, she does still have her taste for carbohydrates, love of losing sports teams, and fear of driving during rush hour. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. Most recently, she was the women's editor at Express. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment. When she's not writing about the best and brightest beauty finds, she can usually be found hunting for vintage and secondhand treasures, attempting to find zen at a yoga class, bingeing Bon Appétit YouTube videos, or napping under her weighted blanket.
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