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Everyone on TikTok Is Raving About This Foundation, But Does It Really Live Up to the Hype?
By Brittany Davy,
5 hours ago
As someone who prefers a more minimal and understated makeup look, I’ve been searching for a base routine that’s simple, easy and doesn’t require a million different products to achieve the healthy glow I want. However, I have hyperpigmentation and dry skin, so finding a high-coverage base product that doesn't highlight flaky patches can be difficult. I often find that the lightweight serum-based foundations that are "good" for my skin don’t provide me with the coverage I need for a flawless, even base. Equally, most high-coverage foundations are aimed at those with oily skin, leaving my skin looking parched and accentuating my fine lines and skin texture.
Enter Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint (£43), which I've been seeing all over my TikTok and Instagram feeds. It promises a breathable, lightweight formula that evens skin tone whilst providing a healthy and natural glow. So, I put it to the test.
(Image credit: Future)
I must admit that a foundation stick isn't a makeup product I usually reach for because they often give a matte finish incompatible with my dry skin. However, with simplicity the most important requirement of my everyday make-up routine, I was willing to give this a try.
My Review of Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
The first thing that stood out when I read about this product was its skincare benefits. Packed with eight skin-loving ingredients including HA+ microspheres, coconut oil and collagen, it sounds ideal for skin that dries out easily. Available in 16 buildable shades and several undertones, this balm is formulated to melt into the skin for a seamless, natural coverage that mimics bare skin.
I opted for Shade 14, which is suitable for those with a deep skin tone and a warm golden undertone, but I swatched most of the shades and I'm impressed with how wide the range is. After swatching and blending it out on my hand, I was immediately impressed with how creamy and weightless the product felt. I usually reach for my foundation brush when applying most of my base products, but because of the balm's creamy texture and at the brand's recommendation, I decided to swipe it on with my fingers before blending it out on my face.
Before Using Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
(Image credit: @ brittanyelizadavy for Who What Wear UK)
After Using Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
(Image credit: @ brittanyelizadavy for Who What Wear UK)
It’s described as giving sheer, lightweight coverage, so I went in very heavy-handed, but despite this, it blended out evenly under the warmth of my fingers and left me with a super-glowy and even-toned base. I loved that after using other cream-based products such as my bronzer and blush, the foundation balm didn’t budge on my face.
I applied it in the morning and wore it to the office and an event after work. It lasted all day, settling nicely on my skin without showing up any flaky patches where my face was drier. Usually, even after sealing my makeup with setting spray, I find I have to touch up my face with more products and hydrating mists throughout the day. I popped the balm in my handbag in case I needed it, but surprisingly, I didn't—something I was especially grateful for during last week’s heatwave, and especially as someone who usually ends the day with a cake-y mess on her face thanks to layers of foundation touch-ups.
The only drawback was that because the coverage was much higher than I expected, it did look a tad too warm on my skin on its own. I was able to fix this with my concealer, bronzer and blush, but I definitely feel there’s more room for expansion in the shade range to cater to a wider range of undertones in each shade family.
My Final Thoughts
Pros:
- Buildable coverage
- Long-lasting
- Glowy finish
- Wide shade range.
Cons:
- Lack of undertones in each shade category
- Very dewy, so may not be suited to those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Overall, I would say that Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint meets my criteria of an easy-to-use base product that gives decent coverage and lasts throughout the day without drying out the skin. At £43 it’s not cheap, though pretty much evenly priced with other luxury-brand foundation sticks on the market. I'd recommend it over others I've tried for its longevity and skincare benefits, which I think set it apart.
Standout Customer Review: "My skin is normal to dry and I found this absolutely lovely. I think the key is not to use too much—apply sparingly to the middle of the face and then buff outwards and apply a little at a time if necessary and repeat until product has 'melted' into skin. I apply La Mer loose powder over [the] top in a light dusting and this achieves a really airbrushed look for me. Shade range is good and I could have probably gone one or two lighter or darker and it would have been ok. Will not be for everyone, but if you have good skin which is not oily you may just love this. It feels silky and skincare-like. Love."
Shop Other Foundation Sticks:
Charlotte Tilbury
Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick
£35
Charlotte Tilbury's newest complexion product promises to add glow to and blur the skin leaving the face with a 'ring-light' effect.
Standout Customer Review: "It can be pretty difficult to find the right foundation, but the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick does a great job. It glides on smoothly as the foundation is quite creamy and blends well with either a sponge or brush or even just your fingertips. It's provides a sheer dewy finish and isn't cakey at all. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, sunflower oil, castor Oil & Rosemary to nourish the skin. You can just pop the stick in your handbag and use it for touch-ups during the day if need be.."
Fenty Beauty
Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick
£28
Fenty's natural-finish foundation stick will blur the skin and minimise pores without drying out or leaving patches on the face.
Standout Customer Review: "I’ve had this for over 3 months and I’m still in love. I got it to cover my acne scars and it does that and more! It doesn’t break my skin out and it also goes well with my oil/dry skin. I definitely recommend!!! Doesn’t make you look orange or cakey. I love this product."
Westman Atelier
Vital Skin Foundation Stick Atelier
£62
Skincare meets makeup in this anti-oxidant rich complexion balm. It promises to melt into the face for a natural looking finish that mimics the skin.
Standout Customer Review: "This glides onto my face as the most perfect colour match I have ever had in any foundation product, ever. It’s buildable and doubles up as a concealer or a heavier coverage foundation as needed. Blends beautifully with fingers, sponge or brush - it’s expensive but I find it lasts 6+ months and whenever I’ve tried to fall back on a cheaper foundation, I’ve wound up purchasing this again."
Hourglass
Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
£49
Hourglasses' innovative foundation stick will adjust to your body temperature to blend seamlessly into the skin, providing a 12 hour coverage to last all day.
Number of shades: 33
Finish: Skin-Finish
Coverage: Full
Key Ingredients: Macadamia Seed Oil.
Standout Customer Review: "The Hourglass Foundation Stick is a game-changer! Its creamy, blendable formula provides flawless, full coverage that lasts all day. The stick design makes application a breeze, and it feels weightless on the skin. Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, this foundation leaves a natural, radiant finish. A must-have in any makeup bag!"
Ilia Beauty
Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
£48
If you prefer a more matte-finish on your foundations, this medium coverage stick will give your makeup a blurring effect whilst also providing you with potent anti-aging ingredients that will improve the skin over time.
Standout Customer Review: "As someone with chronically sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation- I have found this foundation to be a great fit for me. No irritation, beautiful finish, and great, buildable coverage. I was lucky to match with the perfect shade, too. I have oily skin so after about 6/7 hours the foundation starts to show that oiliness so I have to touch up- but otherwise, it’s perfect. Will repurchase."
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