Four bases I’ve been wearing on repeat

It’s been a hot minute since my last beauty update! But I thought it was timely, as the change in seasons for me don’t just signify a shift in my closet “essentials”, but also what makeup and skincare I’m using on regular rotation. So I wanted to chat through four base products I’ve been wearing on repeat.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream (shop here in the AU | shop here in the US)

This is one of my holy grails. A perfecting and full coverage base which doesn’t look cakey or heavy when applied. It adds colour and colour, and can be layered (if you wish), though aside from covering up the odd red patch, I’ve never found that necessary. It’s the type of base which makes you feel really confident in your skin; covering up imperfections but not entirely erasing the appearance of freckles and sun spots. Which I think is one of the reasons why I love it so much. 

Texture-wise, it’s quite thick, so can be a little deceptive in how much product you actually need. The finish is matte, so I recommend using a good hydrating base underneath. Perhaps my only real complaint, aside from it sometimes being a little challenging to get your hands on, is the very limited shade range. Otherwise, this is a great base if you want something that’s feels both lightweight but gives you full coverage.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free (shop here in the AU | shop here OR here in the US)

For the most part, I like my skin to look like skin. Freckles, sun spots, moles and all. I think there’s a beauty in appreciating that skin we’re in – just enhancing it slightly with our makeup. And it probably explains why I’ve used this every day for the past week. It’s luminous, easy to apply (just with your hands), and it gives me a nice little boost of coverage, helping to even out my complexion. But my skin still looks like skin. Just with extra glow. You can build up the coverage ever so slightly; something I’ll often do around under the eyes to negate the need for concealer.

This has a light creamy texture, which smooths out across the face nicely. Shade range is fantastic, and I find overall it lasts pretty well. Though on spectacularly hot days, the product will sometimes gather in the fine lines on my forehead. Nothing a little added powder at the time of application wouldn’t fix.

Fenty Beauty Ease Drop Blurring Skin Tint (shop here in AU/the US)

I’ve reviewed the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drops previously, and my thoughts haven’t changed. Best applied with fingers, this feels quite watery compared to the It Cosmetics and Laura Mercier bases. This makes it really easy to spread across your face, and I like the finish, too. A satin-like appearance to the skin, which has a radiance too it. Pretty, especially for spring time.

Coverage is on the lighter side, so again this would be a great hero to wear when you just want to even out your skin tone, but dial down the intensity.  Shade range is phenomenal – I feel like Rihanna set the bar for extended shade ranges with her Fenty line.

Tarte SEA Hydroflex Serum Foundation (shop here at Sephora or here via the Tarte website)

Final base I wanted to highlight is from Tarte, which is a brand that has continuously impressed me over the years. This is the most liquid option out of the four; the texture mimicking more that of a skincare product than makeup – as the name would suggest. For that reason, I find it easiest to squeeze the foundation directly onto my skin before blending it out. If I try to put it on a brush first, barely any product will make it onto my face.

Coverage is buildable, though I never go beyond one layer. For me this is mostly because I want to reinforce having that skin-like effect, which I often find is lost when you layer and layer product on top of itself. That said, I’ve seen this in action, and if you have any major patches of redness or discolouration, this will hide it. Again, another luminous, radiant option. It evens out my skin tone, conceals a little bit of redness, while giving my face a bright appearance. One thing I really like? It literally moves with your skin. Doesn’t crease at all, and wear across the course of the day is fantastic.

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So that’s a quick peek at four bases I’ve been wearing on repeat. Anything else you’d recommend trying as we inch closer and closer to the Australian summer?