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.
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
After Using Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
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.
Shop Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint:
Number of shades: 16
Finish: Glowy
Coverage: Sheer (buildable)
Key Ingredients: HA+ microspheres, peptide complex, fatty acids, coconut oil, shea butter, collagen-stabiliser, marula oil, jojoba seed oil
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 We Love:
Charlotte Tilbury's newest base product promises a glowy finish and a blurring effect to leave skin looking like it's lit with a ring light.
Number of shades: 20
Finish: Glowy
Coverage: Sheer to Light
Key Ingredients: Collageneer, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, daikon radish seed oil, Light Mapping Mesh Tech
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 provides a sheer dewy finish and isn't cakey at all. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, sunflower oil, castor oil and 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's natural-finish foundation stick is formulated to blur texture and minimise the visibility of pores without drying out the skin.
Number of shades: 25
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Light (buildable)
Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, murumuru butter, QuickBlur Complex.
Standout Customer Review: "I’ve had this for over three 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 oily/dry skin. I definitely recommend! Doesn’t make you look orange or cakey. I love this product."
Skincare meets makeup in this antioxidant-rich complexion balm. It promises to melt in for a natural-looking finish that mimics bare skin.
Number of shades: 20
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Medium
Key Ingredients: Vegetable-derived squalane, BerryFlux Vita Extract, coconut oil, camellia seed oil
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 six+ months and whenever I’ve tried to fall back on a cheaper foundation, I’ve wound up purchasing this again."
Hourglass' innovative foundation stick will adjust to your body temperature to blend seamlessly into the skin, providing 12-hour coverage that lasts all day.
Number of shades: 33
Finish: Skin-like
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!"
If you prefer a matte finish from your foundation, this medium-coverage stick might be for you. It also contains ingredients that target signs of ageing, if that's something you want.
Number of shades: 42
Finish: Soft matte
Coverage: Medium (buildable)
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, ceramide-peptide complex, winged kelp extract, butterfly lavender extract
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 six/seven 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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