Is it a base? Is it a serum? Meet the new skin tints

How to master the art of make-up with added complexion benefits

You, but better; a modern mantra that I would love to apply to many things in my life. Me, but fitter. Me, but richer. Me, but less of a worrier. Sadly, I can’t lay claim to any of these descriptions, although I have achieved ‘my face, but better’. And that’s because I’ve been trialling new approaches to foundation.

For years, my go-to base was Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Foundation, which covered high colour without heaviness. Then, quelle horreur, it was discontinued. The upside? It forced me to take a fresh look at what’s out there – and I discovered skin tints, serums that offer sheer coverage and anti-ageing benefits, hitting the sweet spot between make-up and skincare.

While they’re not new-new, they are very now-now, with more brands bringing these multitaskers to market, including Estée Lauder, which has just launched Futurist Skintint Serum (£49, esteelauder.com) with botanical oils, glycerin and glucosamine to nourish, hydrate and condition.

Skin tints are not the same as traditional tinted moisturisers – they’re the nextgen option. More liquidy, they usually come in a bottle with a dropper and offer light – but buildable – coverage. They are also infused with a variety of ingredients that, over time, help to even up tone and texture.

They do seem to divide opinion. While many consumers r a ve about how complexion-perfecting they are, others report they sit in the pores. I recommend you visit the cosmetics counter if possible and try before you buy. This also gives you the chance to match your shade more accurately. Note: if the set-up is suitably hygienic, test on your face – the skin on the back of your hand tells you little about how a tint will look on your cheeks.

Let’stake Clarins’s much-talked-about new Tinted Oleo-serum (£39, clarins.co.uk). The formula is 30 per cent dry vegetable oils and squalane, a complex that’s nicely nourishing. So far, so great.

But when I tried it, I didn’t think it looked natural enough. That’s because I’d used the dropper to dole out way too much liquid and once it was on my face, there was nowhere to blend the excess away, which had the knock-on effect of making my skin look overdone and dry.

I gave it another go. First, I applied a moisturiser with SPF. Next, I shook the bottle well. Then, I only used two tiny drops (not blobs) because a little of this formula spreads a very long way ( just add more if needed). You can apply with a foundation brush but I used my fingertips, then buffed so it appeared seamless – my favourite brush for this is Otis Batterbee’s Foundation Buffer (£28, otisbatterbee.com). Ah-ha! We were in business.

Now, I’m using it regularly because it covers with a light touch and the finish is fondant smooth; plus it’s non-shiny, which is the result I favour. I also like Maybelline Super Stay (£12.99, boots. com) which is slightly creamier. It goe s on well, stays put for hours and contains vitamin C for its brightening benefits. For t hose who want a much more moist, ultra-natural look (no buffing required, although you might want a little powder), check out Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30 (£48, sephora. co.uk). One of the original tints, with squalane, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it’s designed to diminish dullness as the days go by. Tint-tastic, you might say.

Above: Clarins Tinted Oleo-serum. Left: Otis Batterbee Foundation Buffer; Maybelline Super Stay