How to Use True Match Tinted Serum As Makeup, According to A Makeup Artist

With 90-degree days rolling in, we don’t blame you for wanting to swap out your foundation for something with a more lightweight, buildable formula this summer. Fortunately, L’Oréal Paris recently dropped the new True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum that can do just the trick. This skincare-makeup hybrid product will instantly make your skin look firmer, brighter and more hydrated while offering lightweight coverage., if swapping it in place of your foundation intrigues you then you’re in luck, because, we tapped L’Oréal Paris Global Makeup Artist Sir John for his expert tips on exactly how to do so. Read on to get the scoop.

TIP 1: Mix and Match Your Shade

One of Sir John’s favorite things about the True Match Tinted Serum is that it meshes beautifully with your skin tone even if you choose to opt for a slightly lighter or deeper shade. The serum comes in nine hues, but is so flexible that you can mix or match your shades depending on how much coverage you want. Either way, you’ll end up with a luminous, glowing complexion.

TIP 2: Apply Tinted Serum on Cleansed, Moisturized Skin

To ensure that your application is smooth, Sir John recommends applying the tinted serum on freshly damp, moisturized. Not only will this help lock in the pigmentation of the product, it will also help activate the hyaluronic acid in the formula. 

TIP 3: Use a Damp Sponge for the Application

Applying your tinted serum with a damp makeup sponge is key, according to Sir John. He recommends putting a quarter- or dime-size amount of the serum on the back of your hand, and stippling it all over the skin right after your moisturizer sets in. “This will help the product melt into your skin in a really organic way,” he says. The damp sponge will give you a seamless, soft-focus look. Add more layers in places you want more coverage.

He also recommends avoiding using a brush because it can create streaks or a “jawline” effect where the makeup “starts and stops.”

TIP 4: Always Conceal After

If you have blemishes or under-eye circles you want to cover up, apply concealer on top of the tinted moisturizer. We recommend applying the L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer with 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid to conceal under-eye circles, or the L’Oréal Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof to hide acne scars and dark spots. 

TIP 5: “Multi-Mask” with Other Foundation

If you want to add a little luminosity to certain areas, Sir John says to use the tinted serum in places you want to highlight the face (think: cheekbones, down your nose), and regular foundation in places you want to conceal (think: around the nose, chin area), just like the concept of “multi-masking”. “I wouldn’t change the formula by mixing it together with a foundation, instead, I’d focus foundation on different areas like the T-Zone and the sheer serum everywhere else.” Try it with the L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation, which (one liner about why this foundation is great).

Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn