I am really picky with foundations, I’m not someone who get on the bandwagon to demand brands have 3829483 different shades, I’m not an expert in knowing what shades should and shouldn’t be available and being honest, I fear it is highly unlikely I will ever find that perfect match for my own skin tone - I’m very very fair skinned and there are foundations I can wear and I make work, but there has never been one that I can apply and it’s 100% perfect.
Typology launched their Tinted Serums last year along with a whole host of other fragrances and skincare which I shared on this blog, and I really wanted to get to know them before sharing my thoughts on this blog. In doing so I’ve avoided all other reviews of them, good or bad. Described as being 99% naturally-derived, these tinted serums are enriched with vitamin C, squalane and aloe vera to give the skin nourishment and coverage in one simple step. At this stage this sounds just like any moisturiser I am willing to apply to my face, so I’m excited by them.
The shades, of which there are 6, have been formulated using the Fitzpatrick Scale. This scale takes into consideration things such as sun exposure and skin tone to ensure a perfect match. The 6 shades have different undertones:
- TYPE 1: Fair with cool undertones. This is for fair skin with freckles that doesn't tan and becomes red in the sun.
- TYPE 2: Light. Recommended for light skin with pink or yellow undertones that tans gradually and is prone to sunburns.
- TYPE 3: Medium. This shade is for medium-toned skin with warm or olive undertones, which tans easily but sometimes burns.
- TYPE 4: Tan. For dark skin with predominantly bronze undertones that occasionally sunburns.
- TYPE 5: Medium dark. This is for light brown skin that rarely gets sunburned and easily tans in the sun.
- TYPE 6: Dark. The shade for dark brown skin with naturally cold undertones that rarely sunburns.
When using, the tinted serum may appear too light or too dark immediately upon application. The advice is to wait for it to dry fully to ensure that the shade matches your skin tone. The Tinted serum is packaged in a glass bottle and it comes with a dropper for application, which you can either use if applying with your finger tips or your blending sponge. You only need to apply 3 to 4 drops of tinted serum to the skin. Based on the descriptions above, I fit into Type 1 and Type 2, so was sent both to try.
With products from Typology, every ingredient has a reason for being in a formula. These Tinted Serums are formulated with vitamin C, squalane and aloe vera, so they tinted work to instantly even out the complexion and restore moisture and nutrition to the skin, all without being oily or greasy when applied.
From the swatches i've shown below, i've used natural light with no flash and then with the flash - taken typically on a very cold and grey day, but you can see the shades, all without being edited. Type 1 is really fair and Type 2 does have more of a colour to it, but as you begin to blend, it looks amazing. Whilst working from home and not seeing much sunlight, I have used more of Type 1, it suits my skintone much better, but as soon as those Spring rays of sun arrive, it will be then I switch to Type 2, but for now I can also mix them together!
As you might have guessed, this tinted serum is designed to look like skin, it doesn’t give a dewy finish but nor is it entirely matte either - it is somewhere in the middle. It also doesn't feel drying on the skin, it so far hasn't stuck to dry areas around my nose and I have mixed it with my moisturising cream and it works amazingly well too.
Priced just under £25 here, I have become such a huge fan of these tinted serums, I ordered a back up just prior to Christmas so I didn’t run out. I might still be working from home, but this is just beautiful and it makes those days of wanting to give your skin a little something - this is it!
*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.