This Essence-Infused Foundation Is a Godsend to My Dry Skin

We've come a long way from the foundation formulas of the 2010s. For the longest time, when I thought of foundation, my mind would instantly flash to countless instances staring into the bathroom mirror while I smeared a thick, goopy, paint-like consistency onto my face, successfully covering any blemishes I was experiencing, but also all signs of my real skin. After a few years of doing that, I experienced a bit of a culture reset and avoided foundation at all costs for fear of looking cakey and overdone. And yet, the best new foundations are anything but. Case in point: the new Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30 ($56).

Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30

From

$56

$56 at Sephora

It's more than your standard liquid foundation; it's also a skin care/makeup hybrid, making it a minimalist makeup lover's dream. Since adding it to my morning routine, I've gotten so many compliments on my skin, yet it doesn't feel or look like I'm wearing anything at all. Ahead, keep reading for my full review of the new Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation.

I'm a big (!) fan of foundations that don't really feel like foundation. The sheerer and more lightweight, the better. Ideally, I'd like to forget I'm even wearing foundation at all. The Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation helps me do just that. The weightless formula contains microcapsules of makeup pigment that melt onto my skin upon contact and give me a smooth, glowy finish. It boasts buildable, medium coverage, but I found I can get it quite sheer with just one layer. Shade 220 Linen, which is described as a "balanced tone for light skin," was a perfect match for me, but according to the brand, the formula is designed to adapt and blend with a range of skin tones.

Because this is a skin-care-first formula, the capsules of pigment are housed in a serum-like liquid containing prebiotics and niacinamide. This means the foundation works to brighten and hydrate your skin while you wear it. Blending it in is effortless and quick, and I'm left with the dewiest, most healthy-looking glow. The rest of my makeup routine layers on top beautifully, and with a little powder, it stays put all day with minimal creasing.

At the launch event, the brand recommended you apply the Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation with either your fingers or a brush. It doesn't recommend a damp makeup sponge, as it's likely to absorb too much of the serum.

I like to apply a pump of the foundation onto the back of my hand before generously coating my brush in it. Then, using dabbing motions, I apply the pigment to the center of my face and work my way out. It blends easily, requiring very little effort to get a smooth finish, unlike some foundations that leave behind brush strokes on my skin. If I feel like I need a bit more coverage in certain areas like under my eyes and around my nose, I can layer on a bit more to camouflage those areas.

For someone like me who has normal to dry skin, the Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation is a dream. It's hydrating with a radiant finish that is sure to garner you compliments on your glow. That said, if your skin naturally gets oily, you may want to use some extra powder to set it or look for a matte formula instead.

The Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation is available at the brand's website, Sephora, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom.

Rating: ★★★★★