Is this the steal of the year?

Rosie Green on the £7.49 tinted base that delivers flawless skin

My Mastermind specialist subject would be tinted moisturisers. And I’d smash it. Clive Myrie would be agog as I’d reel off the best formulations past and present: the products loved by make-up artists, the oil-free iterations, the ones with a good SPF, those devastatingly discontinued.

After a teenhood spent obliterating all traces of my natural complexion with Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation plus an inch-thick layer of Clinique pressed powder, I went on to embrace tinted moisturiser wholeheartedly in the 1990s.

Then working at a glossy magazine,

I had access to the best, which for a long time was Crème de la Mer Skintint. I felt vindicated in my choice because the Vogue beauty director at the time wore it, too. And now my latest love is Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, which is quite perfect, like someone has subtly airbrushed you. My only gripe is that its matt packaging picks up dirt.

But, of course, what the above share is a high-price tag. Now, I like a budget buy as much as the rest of you, but I’ve been schooled by make-up artists that while you can skimp on eyeliners, mascaras and sometimes brow products, you need to pay more for your base.

Which makes this Catrice version (right) an outlier. It’s £7.49. And I knew from the first drop it was special. A tinted serum foundation rather than a tinted moisturiser – the only difference being the formula is runnier than average – it has what make-up artists call ‘slip’, so it spreads easily and delivers even coverage. You can also ‘sheer it out’ (more make-up artist speak for blending from centre).

There are 16 shades, and I found a perfect match to my skin tone. That is partly because of the formula’s specially coated pigments that adapt to your colouring, which means if you get tanned over summer it’ll still work. It also blends right into the skin and feels hydrating. And it isn’t shiny (I don’t want to look like I’ve just exited a sauna, do you?). In fact, it’s a little bit matt. Not so matt it gives a dull or mask-like finish, but just enough to appear polished and groomed. Your skin looks like yours, but improved. Even. Pores are blurred. Its plumping hyaluronic acid means it doesn’t highlight wrinkles or make skin look parched, so it’s great for older skins. I apply it with a brush (Hourglass Soft Glow Foundation Brush, £51, johnlewis.com) but fingers will work just fine.

The pared-back bottle doesn’t look cheap, and it has a lot of product. Oh, there’s no perfume or oil, and it’s cruelty-free. My one gripe is that the formula feels a bit silicone-y. But that’s minor – don’t let it put you off. Try it, I urge you. And enjoy the smug feeling that comes from scoring a true beauty bargain. @lifesrosie

Catrice Nude Drop. Tinted Serum. Foundation in. 065N, £7.49,. justmylook.com.