Author: unstyb

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People can be so obsessed with the idea of twins that sometimes they see them when they’re not even there. Maybe that’s because there’s a thrill to imparting some sinister subtext to the lives of twins: spooky telepathy, midnight rituals, clueless-husband swapping. And of course, everyone wants to know, who’s the evil one? Some fans of the modeling business spend an unusual amount of time pitting non-twins Gabbriette, 29, and Amelia Gray, 25, against each other. I’m aware of a narrative that insinuates this duo is a case of copycat-ism between mortal enemies—one model allegedly stealing the other’s steez a few years ago—yet I witness no sign of it when I meet them both at Gray’s sleek midcentury home in the Hollywood Hills.

On Amelia: J.R. Malpere hat. Cosabella bra. Chanel cuff. On Gabbriette: J.R. Malpere hat. Chanel jacket. Dolce & Gabbana bra.

Gray is a rangy five feet nine with incredible, furry brows. Her outfit is reminiscent of her famous mom, Lisa Rinna, and the uniform Rinna wears in her dance videos online: a tee with FreeCity sweatpants that start at $195. She has a pimple patch on her face, which is clear of any makeup. She considers herself a dedicated homebody. Gabbriette is in heels, making her petite five-foot-four frame a bit taller. Her hair and makeup are done, with her signature pale skin, dark, pencil-thin brows, and frosted lips. She has a more social persona and loves to go out to dinner and drinks with her friends, at least on the weekends.

“That is part of the dichotomy of Amelia and Gabbriette,” says Gray. “Gabbriette is always put together. I could never. This bitch is wearing jeans on the plane!”

“Gabbriette is always put together. I could never. This bitch is wearing jeans on the plane!”

Skin care, though, is where Gray puts in the extra effort. She describes herself as “high-maintenance to be low-maintenance,” sharing her treatment regimen with the detail of a forensic accountant. She’s fond of so-called regenerative injectable treatments like platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, and says she’s done the hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable Skinvive in her lips for hydration.

Conversely, Gabbriette says she needs to write down all of Gray’s skin-care details to prepare for her nuptials (which took place after this interview, in July) to The 1975 singer Matty Healy, as she doesn’t have much of her own regimen at the moment. She stopped getting Botox because she fears passing out from the needles—and no, she didn’t get buccal fat removal.

Allure sat down with the two stars of our Best of Beauty 30th-anniversary portfolio to discuss how they first met and when they learned of the comparisons between them. They’re not twins. Not copycats or looks-cannibals. “Kindred spirits” is a phrase that feels more apt.

Ashi Studios dress. Dolce & Gabbana intimates. Chrome Hearts earring and rings. To create a similar makeup look: MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Tilt, Dazzleshadow Eyeshadow Sticks in Demure Diamonds, and Lipglass High Shine Lip Gloss in Ruby Woo. (Gabbriette is an ambassador for MAC.)

Jewelry by Alexis Bittar, Misho, Ben-Amun and Laurel Dewitt. To create a similar makeup look: YSL Beauty Couture Mini Eyeshadow Clutch in Over Orange, Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss in California Sunshine, and Kiss Shaper Long-Lasting Sculpting Lip Liner in Cocoa Flirt. (Amelia Gray is an ambassador for YSL Beauty.)

Allure: You’re both online. You see what people say. There's this whole thing about “who stole whose look”….

Amelia Gray: I stole Gabbriette’s. [Laughs.]

Gabbriette: And I stole every ’90’s person ever.

Allure: Did you know each other when that narrative started?

Gabbriette: No. We showed up to a shoot, and our friend Loftjet, who was doing the makeup, was like, “Are you stupid? This is the whole narrative.” But there was no negative connotation behind [doing] the shoot together.

Amelia: I had bleached eyebrows back then. I did it for a shoot and it ended up being the only thing that would get me booked in the beginning of my career. It got me signed. And Gabbriette's thing is having thin eyebrows.

Gabbriette: Then we saw each other, maybe four months into it being “nasty,” and I didn't know if I was supposed to be responding. I'm not very vocal on the internet. We saw each other at a dinner, and we were like, “Do we hate each other because the internet says we do? We don't even know each other!” So we laughed it off.

Full Saint Laurent RTW + ACC.

“We saw each other at a dinner, and we were like, ‘Do we hate each other because the internet says we do?’ We don't even know each other!”

Amelia: I've never had a feeling of, “Oh, I need to become somebody else,” and I'm so grateful for that. I was raised very secure about my quirks and my weirdness. I'm a rising Aquarius. I'm fucking weird. But to my point, the internet started telling me who I was. I was so confused. Like, “Oh, fuck, have I been copying this girl and completely stealing her steez?” Lisa Rinna is my mom; she taught me to fucking own it. At that dinner I went up to Gabbriette, and I was like, “I am so fucking sorry.”

On Amelia: Dolce & Gabbana bra. On Gabbriette: Cosabella bra.

Allure: When I first heard this narrative, I wondered if there was a way you could use this to your benefit.

Amelia: That's why we both wanted to do this.

Gabbriette: Because we literally don't care. [Addressing Gray:] Yes, we look similar, but you are on a completely different spectrum. You're taller, you're more of a runway thing. You are an insane, Gisele-type editorial model.

Amelia: Gabbriette is a pop culture icon.

Gabbriette: If we are in the same industry, we're not going to do the same jobs, because she brings so many different things to the table.

Amelia: And that’s what’s so beautiful about it, is that there's no threat. I want Gabbriette to get the job and I know she wants me to get the job.

Allure: Have your teams ever advised you not to work together?

Gabbriette: No! If anything, my agent is like, “Yes, bitch!”

Allure: Amelia, has your mom ever warned you about experimenting with your looks?

Amelia: My mom was the guinea pig of our family. Homegirl had fucking silicone in her lip. My mom told me to learn through her experience of what not to do. She was never the type of mom that [said], “No, you can't get anything done,” because she always empathized with not feeling like herself.

I remember really hating my nose, and being like, “Mom, I want to get a nose job.” My mom was like, “Listen, if that's something that you want to do, you need to decide that on your own and you need to understand and make that decision for yourself. I can't tell you that your nose is perfect, because I'm your mom and I think it is. I would be a hypocrite to tell you no, because I’ve dealt with this in my life.”

“When I was 16, I got a nose job. It changed my life.”

When I was 16, I got a nose job. It changed my life. Half of me [thinks], Why would you change what God gave you? But then the other half of me is like, I have one fucking life to live. We live in a vain world. I want to wake up and [say], “I like myself,” because at the end of the day, that's all that matters. It sucks that it has to do with beauty standards sometimes, but that's the society and culture we live in.

Allure: Gabbriette, what do you bring from your Mexican side of the family into how you think of beauty?

Gabbriette: I grew up in Laguna Beach, so I felt my version of beauty was very California standard. I was the only Hispanic girl in my grade… it felt like I was the only one. Then I started going to Los Angeles at 16 to see shows. Burger Records was the thing here, and I went to shows with my friends, and that is when I kind of saw what [a side of] Chicana culture was, with all the goth girlies.

“I started going to Los Angeles at 16 to see shows. Burger Records was the thing here, and that is when I kind of saw what [a side of] Chicana culture was, with all the goth girlies.”

When I first came to LA, I was so grateful for it. I got really into the old-car culture, and into the cholo scene. This felt like a part of me that I hadn't explored. People think I'm not Mexican enough. I'm as Mexican as I feel, and as I am, I'm half. I didn't grow up speaking Spanish, but the culture is through me. I go to Mexico every single summer and see my grandma. Not that I have to prove myself to [anyone].

Allure: When did you decide on your signature brows?

Gabbriette: It was 2017 or 2018. I was watching Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore. Then it was Angelina Jolie, Penélope Cruz, all these people. I said, “What is missing from the makeup that I like doing? It's the fucking eyebrows.” I took my mom's tweezers and I plucked them in the window light—and I didn't hold back. [My mom] fucking loved it.

“I was never the type that would go out of my way and try a new look, but when I'm Amelia the Model, I'll do anything to get the photo.”

To create a makeup look similar to Gabbriette’s: MAC Cosmetics M·A·Cximal Silky Matte 12HR Wear Lipstick in You Wouldn’t Get It and Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner in Brushstroke.

To create a makeup look similar to Amelia’s: YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipstick in Unshy Cacao and La Laque Couture Nail Polish in Noir Primitif.

Allure: Has your relationship with beauty gotten healthier as your career has kept going or do you think it's gotten worse?

Amelia: I am so down to create when I'm on set. I was never the type that would go out of my way and try a new look, but when I'm Amelia the Model, I'll do anything to get the photo. I think that has taught me a lot about the possibility of how you can change.

Gabbriette: With beauty, I know who I am. I used to get a haircut and then rebuy my entire wardrobe every three months from, like, 12 to probably 21. The only crazy thing I've done in the last five years is getting Botox, [then stopping because of the needles,] and considering getting my lips done. I want to be me, but more refined. But I’m also too carefree—I don't want to go to the doctor.

Watch Amelia Gray & Gabbriette Spill Secrets After Sipping the Truth Serum

In this episode of Allure’s Truth Serum, Amelia Gray & Gabbriette answer candid questions about beauty, love, relationships, friendship, and more. From their biggest beauty opinions to the things they’re not afraid to get honest about, the girls spill the tea and reveal a side of themselves you haven’t seen before.

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Some shine, some shimmer, and some even tingle, but one thing all the best tinted lip balms have in common is that they deliver equal parts moisture and color. They’re the Goldilocks of lip products: more exciting than clear balm, less fussy than lipstick, and infinitely easier to apply than anything that requires a liner, brush, or particularly steady hand. Most can be swiped on without so much as glancing in a mirror—a major selling point when you’re halfway out the door.

And tinted balm has come a long way from the barely-there tubes you may remember tossing into your middle-school backpack. Today’s formulas run the gamut from juicy, glass-like finishes to softly blurred, almost-matte ones, with pigments that can stay whisper-sheer or build into surprisingly noticeable color. The skin-care side has leveled up, too: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and other moisturizing ingredients help keep dry lips soft and comfortable while you wear them. Whether you’re after a subtle your-lips-but-better flush, gloss-level shine without the tackiness, or simply a little color you can apply on autopilot, there’s a balm for that.

Our Top Tinted Lip Balms

• Best Overall: Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm, $24
• Best High-Shine: Glow Recipe Glass Balm, $22
• Best Sheer: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, $24
• Best Scented: Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment, $16

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Which ingredients are commonly found in tinted lip balms?
• What's the difference between tinted lip balms and lip tints?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm

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Eadem

Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm

$24

Amazon

$24

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm

Sarah Han

Why we love it: Is it a balm, a gentle exfoliator, or a glossy tint? A 2026 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, Eadem’s Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm is all three. “Chouchou” is French for “favorite” or “darling,” and this multitasker has certainly earned that status among Allure editors. On the exfoliating front, hibiscus flower acid and lactic acid loosen and sweep away the dead skin that can leave lips looking flaky and uneven. Then comes the balm part: Shea butter, antioxidant-rich açaí oil, mongongo oil, and moringa-derived emollients soften and replenish dry lips while giving the formula its plush, cushiony feel. Peptides round out the treatment side, reducing the appearance of fine lines and plumping the lips, says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Alabama.

And lest we forget why you’re here, the formula delivers a sheer, buildable wash of color with the juicy shine of a gloss, in fun shades named for street foods and treats from around the world, like Butter Mochi and Boba Bounce.

Han before applying the Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“To say I'm obsessed with Le Chouchou is an understatement. I haven't stopped using this stuff since I first tried it a year ago—seriously, I toss it into every purse, work bag, you name it. It's deliciously thick and cushiony, and feels miles more conditioning than my other lip balms, and the chemical exfoliants baked into the formula take it straight to S-tier lip balms. The metal tip is a nice soothing touch as well. My lips flake pretty easily, but now I can treat them during the daytime, instead of only relying on a lip mask at night. I also like using one of the more low-key shades (like Château Rose) as lip prep in the a.m. while I do my makeup, and then finish everything off with my lip color of choice.

However, my most-used shade by miles is Bissap Glaze, a yummy berry shade that lends my lips an instant pop. I wear it alone all the time, but these days, I've been experimenting with a liner and gloss combo for added boldness.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hibiscus flower acid, lactic acid,, açaí oil, mongongo oil, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
• Shades: 10

Best High-Shine: Glow Recipe Glass Balm

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Glow Recipe

Glass Balm

$22

Amazon

$22

Sephora

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Glow Recipe Glass Balm

Sarah Kinonen

Why we love it: Glow Recipe spent years helping your skin find its glass glow, so it was only a matter of time before the brand brought that same gleam to your lips. The 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Glass Balm Lip Treatment slicks on a soft wash of color you can dial up with each pass, plus the kind of light-catching, glassy finish its name promises. That juicy effect takes inspiration from bingsoo, the glistening Korean shaved-ice dessert, with shades like Watermelon Bingsoo and Blackberry Bingsoo translating the idea into equally luscious washes of color. The formula centers on hyaluronic acid microspheres—tiny spheres of the water-binding ingredient that absorb moisture and expand, helping temporarily plump and smooth the look of lip lines—along with glycerin, a humectant that draws water into the lips. Antioxidant-rich fruit extracts, including kakadu plum, raspberry leaf, and plum, add further conditioning benefits.

It can even handle chapped, flaky, or otherwise dry lips, since “it pairs humectants with emollient and occlusive ingredients,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada. “The balm base helps keep that moisture from evaporating,” she says, which is especially helpful when lips are already feeling parched.

Kinonen before applying the Glow Recipe Glass Balm

Sarah Kinonen

Kinonen after applying the Glow Recipe Glass Balm

Sarah Kinonen

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“My dream lip balm! It’s glossy, hydrating, and comes in seven shade options (pinks, reds, and berries), which all leave behind a high-shine subtle hint of color. I toggle between the transparent Ice Bingsoo, sheer petal Watermelon Bingsoo, and pretty pink Dragon Fruit Bingsoo, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid microspheres, glycerin, kakadu plum extract, raspberry leaf extract, plum extract
• Shades: 7

Best Personalized Tint: Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm

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Guerlain

KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm

$43

Guerlain

Han applying the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm

Sarah Han

Why we love it: Why should the lip product you reach for the most be the most basic? Guerlain’s KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm gives the everyday staple a luxury treatment with a buttery formula that leans into Guerlain’s signature bee motif: Honey soothes and nourishes dry lips, beeswax gives the balm its smooth, cushiony glide, and propolis works alongside hyaluronic acid to leave lips looking softer, smoother, and subtly plumper. Shea butter tops off the moisturizing mix, helping keep lips comfortable and hydrated throughout the day. It comes in eight sheer tints, but there’s another layer of color at work: Eosin, a pH-responsive pigment, enhances your natural lip tone for a personalized flush that makes each shade look a little different on everyone.

Han before applying the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from Han

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“As much as I love (and will always love!) my color-packed lip stains, sometimes it's clear that my lips need a hydration-focused formula. (Hey, lip lines and flaking!) The KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm helps my lips look as smooth, plump, and glossy as they possibly can be—without actually using a lip plumper or gloss (both of which I'm not a fan of and rarely use). While I wish the color range was more varied, I will settle for generous layers of Blossom Glow (a rosy peach), which add *just* enough pigment for my liking. Another bonus? The gorgeous gold packaging makes me want to keep the product always in sight so that I may actually remember to reapply throughout the day—and I do!” —Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: honey, beeswax, propolis, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, eosin
• Shades: 8

Best Shade Range: Fwee Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm

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Fwee

Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm

$17

Amazon

$16

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editorial assistant Hailey Roy applying the Fwee Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm

Hailey Roy

Why we love it: Are you a glossy-lip person or more of a soft-matte type? Fwee’s Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm comes in two finishes so that you can pick your lane: Glowy leaves lips with a juicy, light-catching sheen, while Velvety has a creamy, softly blurred finish—think matte’s much more comfortable cousin. And the menu of options only gets longer from there. Across the two finishes are 17 smoothie-inspired shades spanning mauves, pinks, reds, and MLBB (“my lips but better”) tones, with delicious-sounding names like Mango Peach Blend, Guava Crush, and Banana Strawberry. The formulas are more than eye candy, too: Panthenol soothes and conditions dry lips, while hyaluronic acid draws in moisture to keep them feeling soft and hydrated.

There’s also rose PDRN, a plant-based spin on PDRN, an ingredient traditionally derived from salmon DNA. “Rose-derived PDRN is gaining popularity as a plant-based alternative that may offer additional antioxidant benefits,” Sherry Backman, a cosmetic chemist based in Brattleboro, Vermont, previously told Allure. (That said, while PDRN has become a buzzy skin-care ingredient, there’s still limited clinical evidence showing what it can actually do when applied topically.) Both finishes feel lightweight and non-sticky, so the hardest part is deciding what to order.

Roy before applying the Fwee Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm

Hailey Roy

Roy after applying the Fwee Smoothie Tinted Lip Balm

Hailey Roy

Tester feedback from commerce editorial assistant Hailey Roy

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“I take my lip gloss game very, very seriously. Lip gloss > lipstick. This gloss is the perfect balance between sticky and slippery. It’s sticky enough for the gloss to last on my lips, but slippery enough to feel hydrating. Beware: This lippie does need to be reapplied pretty frequently, but because I’m a fan of the outcome, I don’t mind. Each shade also comes with a fun scent, which is a plus for me. However, if you’re not the biggest fan of fruity gourmand scents, that could be a downside to the product.” —Hailey Roy, commerce editorial assistant

More to know

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• Key ingredients: panthenol, hyaluronic acid, rose PDRN
• Shades: 17

Most Versatile: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

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Summer Fridays

Lip Butter Balm

$24

Amazon

$24

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Why we love it: There are tinted lip balms, and then there’s the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm—the 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner that’s one of those products editors buy in multiples. The formula cushions lips with shea and murumuru seed butters, two rich emollients that soften dry, flaky skin, while sodium hyaluronate attracts and holds onto moisture. The tinted lineup ranges from barely-there neutrals like Toasted Marshmallow to brighter picks like Poppy, but they all go on sheer, lending lips a translucent wash of color rather than full-on pigment. And if color isn’t on the agenda, the clear Vanilla—the flavor that started it all—can be slathered on generously before bed as an overnight lip mask.

Lee before applying the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“My perpetually dry—and, sadly, often chapped—lips mean I’m always looking for something that’ll make them look a little less worse for wear. The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm doesn’t so much mask the dryness as it does deeply nourish my lips, leaving them feeling softer and more comfortable the longer I wear it. I was also surprised to find a subtle hint of shimmer (I don’t mind; I love a little shine in my makeup look!). I could personally do without the flavor, but that’s very much a me thing—I can see it being a fun little bonus for most people.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter, murumuru seed butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E.
• Shades: 12

Best Fragrance-Free: Clinique Almost Lipstick

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Clinique

Almost Lipstick

$25 $21 (16% off)

Amazon

$25

Nordstrom

$25

Ulta Beauty

Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Clinique Almost Lipstick

Alessandra Foresto

Not quite a lipstick, not quite a gloss, Clinique’s Almost Lipstick is the Goldilocks lip product for anyone who wants an effortless wash of color without the weight of traditional lipstick. The Allure Readers’ Choice Award winner comes in three layerable shades: iconic Black Honey, which—trust us—flatters just about everyone despite looking deceptively dark in the tube; Pink Honey, a soft rosy pink; and Nude Honey, a warm, barely-there neutral.

Each melts into your natural lip color for a just-bitten tint with a softly shiny finish; swipe once for a translucent coat of color or layer on more when you want to dial it up. “Castor seed oil keeps lips feeling soft and moisturized, so you get the color without that dry lipstick feeling,” says Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Candelilla and carnauba waxes create a lightweight, balm-like glide and help lock in moisture, while vitamin E adds antioxidant benefits and extra conditioning.

Foresto before applying the Clinique Almost Lipstick

Alessandra Foresto

Foresto after applying the Clinique Almost Lipstick

Alessandra Foresto

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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“I'm fully part of the Clinique's Black Honey cult. Because the formula is super hydrating and glossy, I reach for it when my lips are feeling dry from a few too many days wearing lip stains or matte lipsticks. The color is truly flattering—the brand says it looks different on everyone; it looks like a true berry on me—and the pigment is sheer but buildable. It's definitely not super long-lasting. It will make it through a cup of coffee, but be ready to reapply often. I have gone through so many tubes, I wouldn't even be able to approximate the count! The one I have now is down to the very bottom.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: castor seed oil, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, vitamin E
• Shades: 3

Best Conditioning: Nars Afterglow Lip Balm

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Nars

Afterglow Lip Balm

$30

Nordstrom

$30

Ulta Beauty

$30

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Nars Afterglow Lip Balm

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: Before the Nars Afterglow Lip Balm landed in our makeup bags, we caught our first glimpse of it where many good beauty trends begin: backstage at New York Fashion Week. When the balm officially debuted in 2018, Orgasm was the only shade, translating Nars’s famous peachy-pink blush into a sheer lip tint with a dusting of golden shimmer. The brand has since given Afterglow both a formula upgrade and a bigger shade wardrobe. Today, it pairs shea butter and mango seed oil with squalane and coconut oil to soften lips and prevent moisture from escaping, while antioxidant vitamin E helps condition and smooth. Hyaluronic acid pulls in moisture for a temporarily plumper, smoother look, and the formula also contains conditioning peptides.

Pai before applying the Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I have these in multiple shades, which is important because I keep them ev-er-y-where: in my purse, at my desk, in my bathroom. I’m not exaggerating when I say I swipe one on every single day. They offer just enough moisture to keep my lips comfortable, even in the dead of winter, and pigment that's sheer enough that I don't need a mirror. (If anything, they could use a touch more payoff—that’s my sole gripe, but clearly not a dealbreaker whatsoever.) But unlike my average lip balms, they add a super-subtle wash of color that makes me look a little more polished. They're my end-all, be-all." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter, mango seed oil, squalane, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
• Shades: 9

Best Buildable: Violette_FR Bisou Jelly

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Violette_FR

Bisou Jelly

$30

Sephora

$30

Violette_FR

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying Violette_FR Bisou Jelly in Aïssa

Sarah Hoffmann

Why we love it: Here’s a quick, unprompted French lesson: Bouche mordue means “just-bitten lips.” That’s the vision makeup artist and Violette_FR founder Violette Serrat had in mind when creating Bisou Jelly, a satiny, lipstick-balm hybrid that took five years to perfect. The two-tone bullet isn’t just pretty to look at: A translucent, emollient-rich jelly ring surrounds a deeper-hued core infused with vitamin E, so every swipe deposits a cushiony layer of moisture and shine along with sheer color. That translucency also makes it particularly easy to layer: Add a few more passes to dial up the pigment without it turning heavy or opaque, or swipe it over lip liner or lipstick to add a juicy veil of shine and soften the color underneath.

No need to be precious about application, either—the more casually it goes on, the more convincingly “just-bitten” the result. Even the shade names lean into Serrat’s French references: Pomme d’Amour, a juicy red, takes its cue from the glossy candied apples of her childhood, while Bonbon à la Rose is a soft nude pink inspired by French rose candies. To get the look of fuller lips, position the jelly ring just above the lip line as you swipe; its translucent shine subtly extends the edges without looking deliberately overlined.

Hoffmann before applying Violette_FR Bisou Jelly in Aïssa

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after applying Violette_FR Bisou Jelly in Aïssa

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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"To some extent, I think this is the lip product I've been looking for for my entire life. It is far and away the easiest method of achieving the French blurred lip look I've ever found, and for that reason, it will simply never leave my purse again. I like to get really haphazard with the application—the messier you are, the prettier it looks, I swear—so the pigment in the center and the balm on the outside really get mixed together on my lips." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba esters, vitamin E
• Shades: 5

Best Flavors: Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment

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Tower 28

LipSoftie Lip Treatment

$16

Amazon

$16

Sephora

$16

Revolve

Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla

Jesa Marie Calaor

Why we love it: Tower 28’s LipSoftie Lip Treatment reads a little like a dessert menu: Ube Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, Red Bean Mochi, Confetti Cake—choosing a flavor might be more difficult than choosing a shade. The tints smell and taste as delicious as their names suggest, but there’s an interesting technicality: The formulas are actually fragrance-free, relying on food-grade flavor (listed as “flavor/aroma”) rather than added fragrance/parfum to give each balm its namesake scent and taste—a distinction the sensitive skin-focused brand made intentionally.

But it’s not all about the taste: Shea butter and a blend of jojoba, castor, soybean, coconut, and olive oils soften lips, while lysine, an amino acid, adds conditioning benefits. The cushiony formula goes on glossy and non-sticky, with a sheer wash of color that’s easy to swipe on throughout the day. In other words, LipSoftie gives you the sensory fun of a flavored lip balm without forgetting that dry lips are the reason you reached for one in the first place.

P.S. The clear SOS Vanilla shade won a 2024 Best of Beauty Award in the Sensitive category.

Calaor before applying the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla

Jesa Marie Calaor

Calaor after applying the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla

Jesa Marie Calaor

Tester feedback from Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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"Not only is the LipSoftie in Ube Vanilla deliciously sweet, but it also imparts the prettiest berry tint with a glassy shine that is perfect for fall. It dispenses to look like marmalade, but the rounded tip easily spreads it across lips for an even wash of color. I also love how balmy (and not sticky) it feels on my lips." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter and a blend of jojoba, castor, soybean, coconut, and olive oils
• Shades: 8

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ingredients are commonly found in tinted lip balms?

Whether tinted or clear, a balm's main job is to offset dryness and chapping, and to do this, it’s spiked with nourishing ingredients you're probably familiar with from your skin-care routine. Here are a few of the most common ones:

Hyaluronic acid

This humectant is arguably the most popular hydrator in skin care. Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure that hyaluronic acid is "great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness." She also noted that while injecting hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin provides the most effective results and helps restore lost volume, this ingredient is still quite beneficial as a topical. "When used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration," she said.

Shea butter

While humectants like hyaluronic acid bind water to the skin's surface layer, emollients like shea butter act as a seal to prevent moisture loss while reducing roughness and flaking. "Shea butter is rich in essential fatty acids, making it an excellent emollient for the skin, helping to simultaneously moisturize and protect against water loss," Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Greenwich, Connecticut, previously told Allure. Dr. Nichols added that shea butter is also a great source of vitamins A (also known as retinol) and E, two antioxidants that soothe and soften irritated, dry, and itchy skin. "This combination of powerhouse ingredients makes shea butter an ideal ingredient to help soothe symptoms of common skin-care conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, to name a few," she says.

Jojoba oil

Despite having "oil" in its name, jojoba oil is relatively lightweight. "Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, which is why it feels less greasy on skin compared to oils," Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat, previously told Allure. Unlike most oils, jojoba oil is made up mainly of fatty acids, alcohol, and hydrocarbons. According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, jojoba oil's composition is what gives its moisturizing properties a light texture that won't clog pores as easily as other oils. "It acts as both a humectant to draw moisture in and an emollient that softens and smoothes the skin," she says.

Peptides

You've likely seen a boom in peptide lip treatments, and for good reason. If you're looking for a (much more subtle) alternative to fillers or Botox, "Peptide lip balms can be effective for improving lip texture and hydration," says Cindy Bae, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Though the concentration and type of peptides will determine how effective said peptides are, the star ingredient can firm, smooth, plump, and minimize the appearance of lip lines.

What's the difference between tinted lip balms and lip tints?

They may have similar names, but tinted lip balms focus on moisture replenishment while lip tints and stains provide more potent color. Though not every lip stain can be considered a moisturizing balm, Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously told Allure that, depending on composition, just about any lip product can act as a tint. "The color additives are the primary determinant of whether a color actually stains the lips," she says. "It's really about the chemistry of the color additives that contribute to staining, so balms, glosses, and lipsticks can all be lip stains."

Meet the experts

• Sherry Backman, a cosmetic chemist based in Brattleboro, Vermont
• Cindy Bae, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
• Kelly Dobos, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist
• Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Greenwich, Connecticut
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
• Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and founder of skin-care brand BeautyStat
• Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best tinted lip balms, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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If there's one genre of nail color that immediately screams “fall” the moment it's applied to your fingertips, it's that almost-but-not-quite black shade that begins its slow domination at the end of August and takes over the next few months. You know the one: the OPI Lincoln Park After Dark-style polish with just a drop of purple, or the smoky, seductive black cherry vibes of an icon like Chanel Vamp. Anne Hathaway also knows exactly what we're talking about, because she's currently rocking the signature shade of the season—dark, moody, a little '90s—on both her tips and her toes.

The movie star, who has been on a truly legendary run of movie promo while pregnant with her third child, is currently promoting the Colleen Hoover thriller adaptation Verity in New York City and while her bright poppy red dress felt much more summery than September, her manicure and pedicure were right on trend for fall. Her nails were short, just barely passing the tip of her fingers in length, and painted with that rich, dark, brownish-purplish-blackish color everyone tends to gravitate to come fall. (I am literally wearing it right now.)

In fact, almost-black polishes are such a fall mainstay that we spotlighted them as one of the top color trends for fall, simply because they're the most popular way to shift into fall mode. Painting your nails and toes with one of these rich, lite-goth colors is the beauty equivalent of turning off the air conditioning and ordering a pumpkin spice latte.

Getty Images

Hathaway previously went matchy matchy not with her mani and pedi, but with her mani and her lipstick, pairing her fave bright red lip with a very similar color on her nails. Want to copy the Oscar winner's timeless fall mani-pedi? The aptly named seasonal fave, Wicked by Essie, will get you in an autumn state of mind. Spooky season is just around the corner, after all!

More nail news:

• Hailey Bieber's Cashmere Taupe Nails Are the Mani Equivalent of Your Favorite Sweater
• "Sunglass Nails" Are the Fashion Week-Approved Way to Go Sheer
• Selena Gomez's Sunset Frost Nails Capture Golden Hour in a Manicure

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Don’t get us wrong: We love a full-coverage foundation moment, but some days, we’d rather our skin still look like, well, skin. The best skin tints hit that sweet spot, using a subtle dose of pigment to soften redness, discoloration, and uneven tone without masking everything underneath. Coverage typically ranges from sheer to medium and, unlike foundations that can feel like a commitment, these fluid, serum-like, and even solid formulas are designed to blend in quickly (you can use your fingers!) and feel like next to nothing.

The category has become increasingly difficult to separate from skin care—and we’re not complaining. You’ll find familiar ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to boost hydration, squalane and ceramides to keep skin soft and comfortable, and niacinamide to support the skin barrier and improve the look of uneven tone. Some even throw SPF into the equation. And there’s no one-finish-fits-all rule: Our favorites run the gamut from juicy and radiant to softly blurred and shine-controlled. Ahead, makeup artists and Allure editors share the skin tints worth swapping into your routine whenever you’re feeling a no-makeup makeup vibe.

Our Top Skin Tints

• Best Overall: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint, $36
• Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, $72
• Best for Mature Skin: IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, $34
• Best Stick: MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick, $38
• Best for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, $41
• Best for Uneven Skin: Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops, $42
• Best Drugstore: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint, $14

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What's the difference between foundation and skin tint?
• What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

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Make Up For Ever

Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

$36

Nordstrom

$36

Sephora

Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

Elizabeth Gulino

If hydration is a big part of your skin goals, Make Up For Ever’s Super Boost Skin Tint “feels comparable to face serums in texture, but still has buildable coverage,” says New York City-based makeup artist Anluis Minier. The lightweight formula backs up that comparison with glycerin, which draws water into the skin, and squalane, an emollient that prevents moisture from escaping. Sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, binds water at the skin’s surface for a temporarily plumper, smoother look. But the more unexpected addition in this skin tint is polyglutamic acid, a humectant that’s more commonly found in hydrating serums that attracts moisture at the skin’s surface. Silicones like dimethicone, meanwhile, add silky slip and glide over dry patches and uneven texture. Despite its stacked roster of hydrators, the formula stays weightless enough for all skin types.

Gulino before applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

Elizabeth Gulino

Gulino after applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

Elizabeth Gulino

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

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“I love a base product that leaves me looking glowy, and this one by Make Up For Ever sure did. It's definitely a sheer, lightweight skin tint, which is something I usually gravitate towards, but it still has buildable coverage. My only gripe is the shade range—I tend to go for neutral shades and there weren't many options for me!” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, sodium hyaluronate, polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, silicones
• Shade count: 18

Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

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Chanel

Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

$72

Chanel

$72

Nordstrom

$72

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Shanna Shipin

Allure senior news editor James Manso applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

James Manso

Why we love it: When it comes to Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, “light coverage” doesn’t mean barely any pigment. Rather than dispersing pigment throughout the formula like a traditional foundation, this skin tint suspends tiny pigment-filled microdroplets in a mostly transparent, watery base. As you blend, the droplets break open and release small amounts of color, evening out tone. The brand recommends dispensing it onto the back of your hand first to break up the droplets before applying (though we found that it works just as well if you apply it directly), and it even comes with a complexion brush to blend everything in seamlessly. (Per our staffer, the tradeoff for that fantastic, featherlight texture is that a little doesn’t go quite as long a way as you might expect, and the limited shade range leaves room for improvement.)

Water makes up 75% of the formula, while glycerin and tamarind seed extract keep dehydration at bay. According to Westchester, New York-based makeup artist Camila Mancipe, all that hydration doesn’t make it too hydrating for oily skin, though, as the oil-free formula settles in without leaving behind a heavy residue. If your skin is very dry, though, Mancipe recommends layering a richer moisturizer underneath or choosing a more moisturizing base.

Shipin before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Shanna Shipin

Manso before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

James Manso

Manso after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

James Manso

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“The way this evens out my skin tone is amazing—it genuinely feels like I’m wearing nothing, and I often forget I’ve applied any product at all. As the name suggests, this is a lightweight tint, so for my more hyperpigmented acne spots or the melasma around my mouth, I usually pair it with the Chanel Les Beiges serum concealer. The formula has amazing stretch, and someone with a little less to cover could probably get away with just one pump, but I use two. It lays on the skin like nothing at all (which is saying a lot because I have plenty of texture and dry patches) and leaves behind a lovely, healthy glow that is sadly usually never there—mom of two with no sleep, y’all. It has also never once irritated the dermatitis on my often-inflamed eyelids, which is absolutely necessary for a daily product.” —Shanna Shippin, senior commerce director

Tester feedback from senior news editor James Manso

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“The format of this product is so intriguing: It comes in an airless pump with suspended pigments in a serum-y, gel-like base, and gives the coverage of a light foundation. I know it's a 'skin tint,' but it has the attributes of a skin care serum, a BB cream, a foundation, and an Instagram filter all at the same time. In any case, it's a delight to use, blends in easily, offers just a touch of you-but-more-even coverage, and feels lighter than most moisturizers. If you're looking for something with more coverage, this probably isn't for you, but it's great if you want to look like you're not wearing makeup.” —James Manso, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, tamarind seed extract
• Shade count: 8

Best for Mature Skin: IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

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IT Cosmetics

Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

$34

Ulta Beauty

Allure executive beauty director Jenny Bailly applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

Jenny Bailly

Why we love it: IT Cosmetics’ fan-favorite CC+ Cream has racked up multiple Allure Readers’ Choice Awards over the years for being the ultimate multitasker—coverage, color correction, and SPF, all in one tube—so a complexion product called Do It All has some pretty big shoes to fill.

But Do It All Hydrating Sheer Tint Face Balm isn’t CC+ Cream 2.0; it takes an entirely different, much sheerer approach that's so good, it already earned a 2026 Best of Beauty Award. Think of it instead as a “solid serum” with tint: The balm melts into a featherlight texture to even out tone while letting your skin show through. And, true to the brand, there’s plenty of skin care packed inside: Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate pull in water for bouncy skin, while vitamin E moisturizes and provides antioxidant protection. And, if fine lines and wrinkles are on your radar, the peptides are a nice bonus, helping skin look smoother and firmer over time.

Bailly before applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

Jenny Bailly

Bailly after applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

Jenny Bailly

Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly

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“I [always come] right back to the IT Cosmetics’ Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm—to the point that I have already emptied one jar and am well into my second (and would honestly feel more comfortable if I had a third waiting in reserve). As it says right there on the packaging, this is a balm. And it is indeed sheer. But somehow it also hides all of my redness and blurs my dark spots without looking (or feeling) like a mask. And the jar doesn't mention my favorite part: It feels cool on your skin when you apply it. You can definitely apply this with your fingers (and I do when I'm traveling), but I've found that using a big fluffy brush gives me the sheerest version of this sheer formula. The IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 is, go figure, an ideal choice—it also has a smaller, denser brush on one end, and I use that to blend this tint under my eyes where I need more coverage.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
• Shade count: 12

Best Stick: MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick

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MAC

Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick

$38

Nordstrom

$38

Ulta Beauty

$38

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1

Christa Joanna Lee

Why we love it: Unlike every other skin tint on this list, the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick doesn’t contain a drop of water—and that’s part of what makes it so good on the go. The solid, anhydrous formula won’t spill in your makeup bag, and the stick lets you swipe coverage exactly where you want it—say, over redness around your nose or uneven tone on your cheeks—rather than committing to a fluid tint all over. The formula relies on breathable emollients for a creamy, easy-to-blend glide, while sunflower seed oil and fatty acids (including linoleic, linolenic, and oleic) soften and condition skin. The skin-care benefits don’t stop there: Açaí and radish seed extracts provide antioxidants, vitamin E conditions, and kaolin soaks up any excess oil. If MAC’s water-based Strobe Dewy Skin Tint skewed a little too dewy for you, consider this its more targeted, shine-controlled alternative—it keeps the radiance, just without quite so much gleam.

Lee before applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I’m genuinely surprised this formula manages to hold its shape as a solid, because the literal second the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick hits my skin, it melts in like a liquid foundation. It’s so creamy and easy to blend that, had I not been at home with my kabuki brush handy, I could’ve easily gotten away with just using my fingers. The coverage is a tad sheerer than I normally reach for when I’m trying to camouflage my melasma, but there’s just enough pigment to even everything out while somehow making it look like I’m wearing no makeup at all—this is simply my skin, thank you very much. I’m very excited to keep this one in daily rotation, especially on days when I want my complexion to look naturally glowier and even toned without feeling like I’m wearing foundation.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids, açaí and radish seed extracts, vitamin E, kaolin
• Shade count: 20

Best for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

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Fenty Beauty

Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

$41

Shop

$41

Ulta Beauty

$41

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Sarah Han

Why we love it: You may think skin tints are synonymous with dewy coverage, but the big selling point of Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is that it’s more about blur than glow. The formula does sneak in skin-care ingredients—including glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and urea to retain moisture—but its silicone-heavy base drives the easy spreadability and instant soft-focus effect. Dimethicone smooths over the look of pores and uneven texture, while talc and silica absorb excess sebum to minimize unwanted shine in oily skin. “It feels more modern than a traditional matte base, striking that tricky balance where there’s enough hydration to avoid skin from looking flat or chalky, but it still keeps excess shine in check,” says Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta.

Han before applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tin

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tin

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I love a dewy skin tint but cameras don't often agree with me, usually making my T-zone and cheeks look blinding and more apparent than they do in person—not fun! So, on days I know I'll be taking photos, Fenty's Eaze Drops are a go-to. They help tamp down the shine and blur the look of my pores—especially on and around my nose—but still leave my skin looking fresh and bouncy, thanks to the skin-care ingredients. It strikes the ideal balance for my combination/oily skin, and the formula truly feels like nothing. I find that my fingers can do 90% of the blending and I only pick up a sponge to blend the product around my nose and around the perimeter of my face just to make sure there are no random lines or splotches.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, dimethicone, talc, silica
• Shade count: 25

Best for Uneven Texture: Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

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Drunk Elephant

Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

$42

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: Though Drunk Elephant has dabbled in color with D-Bronzi, O-Bloos, and B-Goldi, those were always positioned as serum drops meant to be mixed into your skin care. Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops is the brand’s first bona fide complexion product—but, naturally, it doesn’t abandon its skin-care roots. The formula uses 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, meaning the color particles are treated with amino acids to disperse more evenly, glide evenly over skin, and adhere better for less patchy, cakey coverage. Alongside them, a 4% peptide complex improves the look of firmness, uneven texture, and fine lines over time. More immediately, a cocktail of 11 amino acids and moisture-binding ingredients like glycerin, sodium PCA, and sodium lactate keeps skin hydrated, helping dullness and roughness look less noticeable, while squalane, marula oil, and green tea seed oil condition skin for a softer, smoother surface. That’s a lot of skin care for something we still firmly maintain is, yes, makeup.

Pai before applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“Drunk Elephant isn’t kidding with its capital-m Makeup: This stuff is so pigmented that I initially put on way too much. A drop or two is enough to cover the whole face, and I liked that I could blend it in seamlessly just with my fingers. It left my skin looking fresh—with enough coverage to deal with dark spots and tiny clogged pores—and stayed put the whole day, humidity be damned. It’s perfect for quick, low-key coverage when I need something that’s a step up from tinted sunscreen.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, 4% peptide complex, glycerin, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, squalane, marula oil, green tea seed oil
• Shade count: 25

Best Drugstore: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

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CoverGirl

Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

$14 $9 (36% off)

Amazon

$14

Ulta Beauty

Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

Katie Gunderman

Why we love it: CoverGirl’s Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint may sound familiar (its predecessor was Clean Fresh Skin Milk). The latest iteration keeps the same light-to-medium coverage but adds 2% niacinamide, which can strengthen the skin barrier, regulate excess oil, and improve the look of uneven tone. More surprising for a makeup formula is acetyl glucosamine, a hydrating amino sugar often paired with niacinamide in skin care to improve the look of uneven tone. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate handle much of the hydration, while aloe and allantoin soothe and plant oils like coconut and soybean keep skin soft. But it’s not all about piling on moisture: Aluminum starch absorbs excess oil, making this affordable tint for all skin types—even oily.

Gunderman before applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

Katie Gunderman

Gunderman after applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

Katie Gunderman

​​Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman

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“The Covergirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint gives me the prettiest light coverage that looks natural and lightweight on the skin. It applies smoothly with a brush or a sponge if you want to thin it out more and even can give you a nice medium coverage if you add more concealer. It wears beautifully and will give you a natural glow if you don't set it down with powder. I think for the price this is an amazing skin tint and the squeeze bottle makes application so easy.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 2% niacinamide, acetyl glucosamine, glycerin, panthenol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, urea, sodium hyaluronate, aloe, allantoin
• Shade count: 14

Best Glowy Finish: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

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Summer Fridays

Sheer Skin Tint

$42

Amazon

$42

Shop

$42

Sephora

Shipin applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Shanna Shipin

Why we love it: There’s a fine line between dewy and greasy, and the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint never crosses it. One of our testers said her skin still looked hydrated yet non-oily after trekking through New York City on a hot summer day, but its moisture-heavy formula makes just as much sense once sweater weather hits. Since Summer Fridays debuted as a skin-care brand, it's no surprise that its skin tint features familiar ingredients: There’s glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to attract and lock in moisture. Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the addition of tiger grass to soothe skin and reduce the look of redness.

Shipin before applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from Shipin

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“Not a day goes by that I don't use this skin tint—it truly is the ‘your skin but better’ formula in a bottle. Despite being super dry, consistently battling hormonal acne, and having a mix of deep and fine lines, this skin tint is undetectable! No settling into creases, no weird ashiness in the pigment, no accentuating my eczema patches—just a perfect weightless wear. The shade ranges are uniquely fitting; I'm Shade 5, which is ‘medium with warm neutral undertones’—do you know how rare it is to find a combination like this?! You do if you have a tricky medium skin tone that's all at once golden, warm, and olive. It's a borderline magical product. The only drawback is that it's a liquid, so sometimes you may spill if you're in a rush (hi, mom of two and perpetually late to things). It has stained a top of mine, but, hey, that's some good staying-power for you!” —Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: tiger grass, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane
• Shade count: 12

Best Shade Range: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

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Ilia

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

$48

Amazon

$48

Nordstrom

$48

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Allure senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Lexi Herrick

Why we love it: The impressive shade range is one of the many reasons Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is beloved by the pros. Because sheer pigments allow more of your natural skin tone to show through, skin tints tend to be a bit more forgiving than full-coverage foundations—one reason the category has historically gotten away with fewer shades. However, “Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 offers the kind of nuanced undertone range you’d expect from a foundation, making it much easier to find a shade that disappears seamlessly into your skin,” says Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.

Beyond the pigment, squalane and shea butter-derived emollients soften skin, while niacinamide supports the skin barrier and improves the look of uneven tone. Two forms of hyaluronic acid boost hydration, and aloe, bisabolol, and allantoin soothe easily irritated skin. Then there’s 12% zinc oxide, the mineral UV filter behind its SPF 40. One quirk of the mineral formula: The zinc oxide can make your shade look lighter when it first hits skin, so give it 30 to 60 seconds to settle before deciding whether you’ve found your match. Though the formula contains no added fragrance, our tester noticed a slightly offbeat scent upon application—but it faded quickly enough that it was hardly a dealbreaker.

Herrick before applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Lexi Herrick

Herrick after applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Lexi Herrick

Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick

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“This product is actually a dream. I have never been a skin tint girl (thanks, acne), but I have been experimenting with more lightweight formulas, and Ilia's Skin Tint skyrocketed to the top as one of my favorites. Everything from the gentle, soothing scent to the creamy and blendable consistency is incredible. It soaks into my skin beautifully and gives me the perfect amount of coverage without too much heaviness. I feel it's done wonders for my acne as well! Team skin tint!” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience & analytics

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide
• Shade count: 30

Best for Dry Skin: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

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Hourglass

Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

$49

Amazon

$49

Nordstrom

$49

Ulta Beauty

Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Alessandra Foresto

Why we love it: Arguably, most skin tints are already pretty friendly to dry skin, but the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint ups the ante by giving skin “the juiciest, healthy finish I’ve seen in a skin tint,” says Loiz. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate replenish moisture, while squalane and meadowfoam seed oil slow down moisture loss. Shea butter adds another layer of emollience, which explains why the formula feels so plush and forgiving on rough, flaky patches. All that moisture in the Best of Beauty Award winner translates to a naturally radiant finish and a texture that’s so silky and fluid that you can skip the brush altogether (though the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush is our favorite) and blend it in with your fingertips like a lotion.

Foresto before applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Alessandra Foresto

Foresto after applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Alessandra Foresto

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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“This hydrating skin tint has the most perfect glowy finish and actually stays put all day, but doesn't make my skin feel tight and dry (like I need to spritz face mist every five minutes). As an eczema-prone girlie, I'm a big fan of its lightweight but buildable formula too, because it lets me hide some pesky eczema hyperpigmentation without the need to use a higher coverage base or extra concealer.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel

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"I'm not big on foundation for everyday. Every one I try feels like a mask on my skin that I can't wait to wash off, so there is no way I could commit to wearing it five days a week. I typically reserve base makeup for days when I have to be on TV or at an event. This skin tint feels more like a face lotion—in fact, I often apply it with just my hands. The coverage is very light. However, it's enough to make people think I did something to get a natural glow." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

More to know

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• Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, rambutan, squalane
• Shade count: 18

Best Plumping: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint

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Danessa Myricks Beauty

Yummy Skin Tint

$39

Sephora

Allure former beauty closet associate Edward Horgan applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint

Edward Horgan

Why we love it: You’ll find the usual skin-tint suspects in Danessa Myricks’ Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint—glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and squalane—but things get a little more interesting from there. Ceramides and phytosterols (plant-derived compounds similar to the lipids naturally in your skin) support the skin barrier, while cactus extract hydrates and soothes. There’s also a plant-derived sugar complex, including xylitol derivatives, that helps skin hold onto water. Most unique is SR-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, what the brand calls a vegan collagen peptide: It’s a biotechnology-derived protein designed to mimic certain properties of collagen. All of that skin care comes wrapped up in sheer coverage with a plump, skin-like finish that makes the “Yummy Skin” name feel pretty spot-on. “It won’t erase every variation in the complexion, but it creates a beautiful, overall harmony in the skin tone,” says Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey.

Horgan before applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint

Edward Horgan

Horgan after applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint

Edward Horgan

Tester feedback from former beauty closet associate Edward Horgan

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“This skin tint has the perfect balance of coverage and glow that covers up my redness while still leaving my skin looking like my skin! It has a lightweight feel to it and works so well with any other product I layer on top of it; it’s my go-to for a reason.” —Edward Horgan, former beauty closet associate

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, ceramides, peptides (SR-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1), cactus extract
• Shade count: 20

Best Blurring: Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

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Kylie Cosmetics

Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

$35

Nordstrom

$35

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$35

Ulta Beauty

Allure creative producer Sydney Malone applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

Sydney Malone

Why we love it: There’s a time and a place for a full King Kylie beat—sculpted contour, XL lashes, and an expertly overdrawn matte lip—and then there are days when less is more. Kylie Cosmetics’ Skin Tint Blurring Elixir caters to the latter with a natural, second-skin finish that still does plenty of behind-the-scenes work. The 2025 Best of Beauty winner uses weightless silicones to give the fluid formula its slip to effortlessly smooth over the look of pores and uneven texture, while silica absorbs excess oil for additional mattifying without making skin look flat. Film-forming ingredients give all that barely there coverage some serious staying power, helping it hold up against sweat and humidity. And because blurring should never be code for drying, humectants propanediol and sodium hyaluronate keep moisture in the equation.

Malone before applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

Sydney Malone

Malone after applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

Sydney Malone

Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone

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“I absolutely love this skin tint, especially for the summer, since the lightweight coverage doesn't feel overbearing in the heat. It gives me a light glow while not appearing shiny.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, mica, silica
• Shade count: 24

Best for Sensitive Skin: Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

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Saie

Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

$38

Amazon

$38

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$38

Sephora

Gulino applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Gulino

Why we love it: Does your sensitive skin make you wary of trying new products? Saie’s Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer keeps potential freak-outs to a minimum. The Best of Beauty Award winner skips added fragrance, a common potential irritant, and brings in bisabolol, aloe, and licorice root extract to soothe and calm skin. Glycerin and two forms of hyaluronic acid keep your complexion hydrated, while grape-seed and argan oils, jojoba esters, and beeswax soften skin and seal that hydration in. We can’t overlook the added bonus of SPF 35 protection, either: It comes courtesy of 15% zinc oxide, a mineral UV filter that tends to be well tolerated by sensitive skin—making this sheer, dewy tint an especially appealing option if chemical sunscreen filters haven’t always agreed with you.

Gulino before applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Gulino

Gulino after applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Gulino

Tester feedback from Gulino

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"It only took a week of using this product for me to add it to my beauty drawer permanently. The application is easy, it provides just enough buildable coverage, and it has left my skin looking glowy without being too oily. A feat! I've been applying it with Saie's The Big Brush—a perfect combination, in my opinion. I've been using shade two, which was formulated for very light skin tones with peach undertones. The packaging looks and feels luxe, but the scent is not my favorite. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker for me, though." —Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 15% zinc oxide, pansy extract, hyaluronic acid
• Shade count: 14

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between foundation and skin tint?

Foundations and skin tints mainly differ in both pigment levels and their skin-care perks. Foundations deliver more coverage, but that extra pigment can often feel heavy—and powders in the formula may settle into fine lines. (That’s why it’s all the more important to find a foundation made for mature skin.)

Skin tints, on the other hand, often come loaded with nourishing ingredients you won’t always find in standard foundation or concealer (more on that below). Their lighter, more hydrating formulas make them a particularly good fit for those with dry or mature skin who want to avoid anything thick or heavy.

That's not to say the two base products can't work in tandem. "I can easily see myself using a tint as a priming step to even the skin, and adding coverage with foundation and concealer where needed," New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli told Allure. If you go the route of fuller coverage, locking in everything with a translucent setting powder is crucial.

What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?

When something is advertised as a skin tint, you may see more skin-loving actives like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and squalane at work. "[Hyaluronic acid] is great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, previously told Allure. Squalane, conversely, "aids in skin-care problems wherein the skin barrier is disrupted and transepidermal water loss is an issue," according to Palm Beach, Florida-based board-certified dermatologist Samantha Fisher, MD. Everyone, including sensitive skin (squalane is odorless, by the way), can benefit from this emollient.

While examining the formula of Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, shouted out some of her favorite skin tint ingredients. "Niacinamide brightens tone and increases the skin's production of ceramides, which in turn can prevent moisture loss," explained Dr. King. She also named mineral SPFs, like non-nano zinc oxide, as a beneficial ingredient—but we always recommend applying a standalone sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or more, instead of relying on SPF-spiked makeup.

Meet the experts

• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Samantha Fisher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Renée Loiz, a makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary based in Los Angeles
• Anluis Minier, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Camila Mancipe, a makeup artist based in Westchester, New York
• Tommy Napoli, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best skin tints, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists, dermatologists, and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.