PSA: The days of greasy, slippery, oily (the list goes on) tinted moisturisers and skin tints are firmly behind us. Today’s offerings have evolved into slick, sophisticated hybrids that do far more than simply even out skin tone. These days, the best feel featherlight on the skin while delivering all sorts of skin beautifying benefits. Lancôme’s new Skin Idôle 3 Serum Supertint, £42? A perfect example. A recent addition to my (admittedly vast) beauty routine, it’s the kind of product that makes you wonder if you'll ever use a heavy duty foundation again. And, spoiler alert, I don't think I will. With its silky smooth serum texture and mesh of active ingredients, this blurs the line between skincare and make-up perfectly. Scroll on to find out why I'll be wearing this one all summer long...
What does the Lancôme Idole 3 Serum Skintint do?
If you’re a fan of that subtle, barely-there ‘no make-up make-up’ look, you’ll likely find a new favourite in Lancôme’s Skin Idôle 3 Serum Supertint. Made to even out the complexion while delivering a sheer-to-medium, radiant finish, it’s a brilliant choice for anyone who doesn’t shy away from a healthy glow. So, what sets it apart? Consider it the clever mesh of make-up meets skincare. The ‘serum’ element of the formula is where things really start to shine- quite literally. Infused with niacinamide to help reduce redness and visibly even skin tone with consistent use (even sans make-up), and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump thirsty skin, this is much more than just a surface level base perfector.
Shop: Lancôme Idole 3 Serum Skintint
www.lookfantastic.com
What Lancôme say: The Idole 3 Serum Skin Tint provides up to 24 hours of radiant coverage, while nourishing the skin barrier for a plumped, smooth finish.
What we know: Designed to gently even out the complexion while delivering a sheer-to-medium, radiant finish, it’s a brilliant choice for anyone who doesn’t shy away from a healthy glow- and plenty of it. What sets it apart? It's the clever fusion of make-up and skincare. The ‘serum’ element of the formula is where things really start to shine- quite literally.
Rachael Martin beauty director says: 'It’s featherlight- almost watery- and seems to disappear into the skin when applied to the back of the hand. When smoothed across the face, however, it delivers a delicate, sheer veil of coverage that somehow manages to blur imperfections and neutralise redness, all without masking my skin’s natural texture. My freckles are still very much visible- which I like. That said, on days when my hormonal breakouts were particularly flared up, I found that pairing it with a creamy concealer gave me the extra coverage I needed- the tint isn’t designed to conceal everything, so it's important to keep this in mind.'
Pros
- Contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
- Buildable
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Texture is thin so disperses quickly - be careful
- Expensive
How To Apply The Lancôme Idole 3 Serum Skintint
When I’m after a bit more coverage, I’ll use three drops of the Skintint and buff it into the skin using a densely packed, fluffy brush, focusing a little extra attention on areas prone to redness - for me, this is around my nostrils where I have thread veins. On days when my skin is playing ball, I simply blend it in with the warmth of my fingertips - this provides a natural, sheer radiance. My skin but better.
Our verdict
Rachael Martin, beauty director says:
'Lancôme know a thing or two about excellent make-up- their mascaras are among my absolute favourites. That said, I was admittedly still apprehensive about trying the new tint. My skin is notoriously reactive, and despite working as a beauty editor, I still find it tricky (and even a little stressful) when introducing new products into my routine- especially when it comes to base products. But I needn’t have worried. I’ve been testing this for the past three weeks and, to my surprise, haven't experienced any issues. No new spots = a big sigh of relief. So, let’s talk texture first. It’s featherlight- almost watery- and seems to disappear into the skin when applied to the back of the hand. When smoothed across the face, however, it delivers a delicate, sheer veil of coverage that somehow manages to blur imperfections and neutralise redness, all without masking my real skin- my freckles are still very much visible. That said, on days when my hormonal breakouts were particularly flared up, I found that pairing it with a creamy concealer gave me the extra boost of coverage I needed.
In terms of longevity it ticks boxes too - I’ve found it holds up beautifully throughout the day when lightly set with a pressed powder and finished with a misting of setting spray. My skin even looked noticeably plumper and more hydrated after application- with none of the dreaded creasing or caking that often comes with heavy duty base products I’m putting that down to the hyaluronic acid in the formula. Without make-up, my skin looks more even-toned and calmer than before- I’m crediting redness-busting niacinamide for that one. Consider me sold.
Final thoughts
In short? If you’re after a dewy, breathable finish with serious skincare credentials, then consider this just the ticket- when teamed with a setting powder it sits pretty all day long. Would recommend.
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty Director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.