Dewy skin is a must-have for me, regardless of the season. While a dedicated skincare routine and occasional facials are ideal for achieving an even-toned glow, a good base formula can work wonders in seconds. This includes foundations, tinted moisturizers, and the new generation of tints, balms, and hybrid serums designed to deliver a radiant finish.
“Nowadays, it’s all about how skin looks,” says Jamie Genevieve, founder of Vieve, whose new Skin Nova Foundation Balm is already a beauty favorite. “But good skin is hydrated skin, and hydration is what gives your foundation longevity – and a complexion balm does just that.” These formulas are incredibly versatile, offering numerous benefits in one product. They create a dewy glow while providing coverage, are lightweight yet packed with hydrating and skin-treating ingredients, and are incredibly easy to blend and layer with other products. Their versatility makes them ideal for on-the-go application.
Because these balms are more hydrating and flexible than traditional foundations, they’re perfect for autumn and winter when cold temperatures can lead to dehydration and flakiness. Applying a heavy, matte foundation on dry, sallow skin can worsen the situation. Lighter formulas, on the other hand, veil imperfections without making your makeup look overly done.
While I appreciate the ability to conceal redness and even out my skin tone, I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing too much makeup. I want my skin to look and feel like my skin, just enhanced. “It’s less about full coverage and more about enhancing the skin,” Genevieve explains. “Skin Nova Complexion Balm creates the perfect dewiness – the hydration, the comfort of wear, the way it just hugs the skin… There’s nothing like it.” This balm, enriched with hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and niacinamide, truly delivers on its second-skin promise.
Other favorites include Lisa Eldridge’s Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint, a formula infused with glycerin, squalane, and prickly pear seed oil, which leaves skin looking alive and radiant while plumping and soothing inflammation. Max Factor’s new Miracle Pure Skin Reset 2-in-1 Serum Foundation is a high street gem that blends bisabolol and niacinamide with pigment to deliver a natural finish. This one is best applied sparingly. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm offers a beautiful, sheer finish with a touch of nourishing oils and comes in a convenient stick formula. A quick swipe over your face, a little blending, and you’re good to go.
Here are some of the best to try now:
