Wearing makeup can be a grueling task — from applying it when late for work to gathering the willpower to remove it at the end of a long day. Not to mention that feeling of heavy foundation on a hot day and consequential breakouts. That’s why I’ve mostly ditched the foundation altogether and replaced it with various skin tints over the last year. Skin tints are a great option for people like me who want a makeup routine that doesn’t take long and doesn’t require much skill; they leave room for imperfection, don’t crack in dry weather or melt into your pores on days, are best applied with your fingers, and can be worn alone or paired with all your other favorite products. I believe that, while a good foundation is important for an artfully beaten face, skin tint reminds its wearer how beautiful they are without it. Whether it’s a gateway to makeupless acceptance or a drama-reducing addition to your morning routine, makeup doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Sometimes it can be a little tint. Over the last year, I used five products until they were nothing but empty bottles on my bathroom sink. Here are my thoughts on some of the most popular skin tints on the market right now.Isabel RavennaA buildable skin tint that doubles as skin careThe skin tint from the beloved “Jet Lag Mask” brand quickly earned a permanent place in my makeup bag. Made with hyaluronic acid and squalene, it provides deep hydration to my generally dry skin and an added protective barrier between my 4-step skincare routine and the world’s elements. Compatible with creams and powders, it’s a buildable step at the beginning of any routine, but lightweight enough that a small swipe before running out of the house will sufficiently even the complexion on the go. At $42, it’s a higher-end option, but a little does go a long way — especially for the person who plans to cover noticeable spots with concealer anyway.The OrdinaryA budget-friendly skin tint where a little goes a long wayWhen The Ordinary announced it was re-launching its Serum Foundation, I couldn’t wait to try a makeup product from the dermatologist-recommended skincare brand. And it’s hard to argue with an $8 price tag. For starters, I’d argue that it gives a more moderate coverage as far as skin tints go. It certainly does even tone and provide a silky, natural finish, but I find that it’s easy to overapply and wind up having to commit to a full face of makeup to avoid that sort of cakey mid-routine look. Needless-to-say, a little goes a long way. So if you are acne-prone or still in a healing-period from those zits you knew you should have just left alone, this is a great, natural, non-comedogenic option.AmazonA long-wearing option that bridges the gap between tint and foundationWhen Milk Makeup discontinued their original Sunshine Skin Tint SPF, I wasn’t sure I could ever love (a skin tint) again.. But I get it; the rollerball applicator was insufferable. But after giving their new-and-improved formula a chance, it certainly did not disappoint. For $38, this skin tint hydrates the face with hyaluronic acid and lasts all day long. It’s different from any other productI’ve tried and Milk knows it — boasting the product’s “first-of-its-kind longwear gel technology.” The texture, while initially unappealing, was certainly worth getting used to. It truly does last all day without creasing or losing its dewiness. Its buildability is perfect for someone who isn’t quite sure about ditching their foundation for lighter coverage and its longevity is great for those who swear that their office has an invisible force that wears down coverage and smudges makeup. Personally, I opt for Milk’s skin tint during the winter months, since my dry skin asks for less committal coverage on a sweaty summer day. Sephora, Isabel RavennaAn ultra-light tint that won’t cover freckles, or much elseGlossier has been offering their skin tint since the brand first came on the scene — a staple of their founding image: you but better. The thing is, I think this product was successful thanks to the company’s successful branding in its early days. Teenage girls everywhere wanted to heal every pimple, burn away any scar and develop an immunity to hormones so they could get away with wearing Glossier’s nothing-there skin tint. Even so, I gave it a fair shot, emptying the entire bottle to ultimately find that it might balance the little bit of pigmentation on a good complexion day, but after a few hours, its greasiness will almost certainly cause mascara pigment to transfer onto the skin. Ultimately, however, the product is what Glossier promises: “An undetectable wash of color that evens out skin’s appearance but won’t hide your freckles or cover you up.” Just take them at their word.Isabel RavennaA satin-finish tinted serum I loved... at firstI had seen Instagram ads for months before I finally got my hands on Typology’s tinted serum, and based on the company’s aesthetic branding alone — I’m a sucker for good marketing — I had high hopes and wanted to love it. And I did love it — for about two weeks. Initially, I loved the packaging, the satin finish, the blendability and buildability of the product. But according to Typology, the Vitamin C derivatives can cause the serum to oxidize over time, both on the skin and inside the bottle — which I found to be true. After a few weeks, the product was no longer compatible with my skin tone and appeared rather cakey on the skin, which unfortunately dramatically altered my opinion of the product. AmazonA hydrating skin tint that won’t settle into fine linesAfter being recommended this product enough, Ilia’s super serum is next on my list of skin tints to try. According to reviews, it’s enough to make users quit foundation altogether. Reviewers with acne-prone skin have reported that it’s the only makeup base that doesn’t cause breakouts — even when forgetting to remove it at the end of the day. It seems as though everybody from teenagers in high school to women in their 60s say that it provides a smooth coverage that keeps their skin looking naturally dewy and hydrated without seeping into lines, which is truly all anybody can ask for out of a skin tint.SephoraA sensitive-skin favorite with light coverage and protective SPFAnother beloved skin tint comes from Tower 28. It’s $32 and has earned itself quite a cult fan base for people with sensitive skin. People with dry skin seem to appreciate its hydrating abilities while offering light coverage. Even consumers with severe eczema say their easily-irritated skin has no reaction to SunnyDays, earning a permanent spot in their daily routine. One customer bought it during a time when they were struggling with fungal acne, finding that it was the only skin tint that didn’t worsen the condition. Today, their acne is healed, but they remain reaching for SunnyDays to achieve its natural no makeup-makeup effect and — like many other reviewers whose skin burns easily — protection from the sun’s rays. Trending In ShoppingMore In Shopping