I came across Typology a few months ago when I was scrolling through Instagram one day. An ad for their Tinted Serum had popped up whilst I was tapping through stories. A tinted serum? Any base product with the word "tint" in it always has me super intrigued - so I tapped onto their profile to find out more. I found out that it was a vitamin C, aloe vera and squalane serum with an added sheer tint... Instagram seem to know exactly the kind of ad I’d be interested in and this had my name all over it for sure! Luckily Typology offer two free samples on their site, all you have to do is pay for the £6 delivery fee. A bit steep for delivery yes but I was quite eager to try it out and I am not disappointed! This formula is absolutely gooorgeous!
What Typology say:
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| Image from Typology website |
TINTED SERUM
Vitamin C, Squalane & Aloe Vera
A silicon-free, non-clogging tinted serum for light coverage and a natural no-makeup finish.
Formulated with vitamin C for radiance and squalane & aloe vera for deep, long-lasting hydration.
99% naturally-derived formula.
PIGMENTED ACTIVES
Our 99% naturally-derived tinted serums are enriched with vitamin C, squalane and aloe vera giving the skin nourishment and coverage in one simple step.
My thoughts:
- Typology is an environmentally friendly and sustainable French skincare brand owned by Ning Li. Similarly to The Ordinary they offer simple ingredient based skincare.
- The samples came so nicely packed. I really like the brands aesthetic. All the packaging was recyclable as well.
- The Tinted Serum comes in a rectangular glass bottle with a pipette dispenser. I do love the look of the bottle however a lot of reviewers have mentioned that they've had trouble with the dispenser and that it's faulty. I personally can't comment on this since I’ve only ordered the samples which come in a blister packet form.
- You get 30ml for £24.80 which is around £5 more than the Glossier Skin Tint.
- Fragrance free.
- I apply this as I would foundation, as in after my skincare routine and sunscreen.
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| Image from Typology website |
- They offer 6 shades based on the Fitzpatrick phototype scale. I picked up samples in the shade Type 2 and Type 3 after looking at the swatch image below. Here’s what Typology have to say about their shades:
“Each tinted serum can offer light coverage for a wide spectrum of skin tones. Our six shades were developed using the Fitzpatrick phototype scale which takes into account factors like skin tone and reactions to sun exposure.
TYPE 1: Fair with cool undertones. This is for fair skin with freckles that doesn't tan and becomes red in the sun.
TYPE 2: Light. Recommended for light skin with pink or yellow undertones that tans gradually and is prone to sunburns.
TYPE 3: Medium. This shade is for medium-toned skin with warm or olive undertones, which tans easily but sometimes burns.
TYPE 4: Tan. For dark skin with predominantly bronze undertones that occasionally sunburns.
TYPE 5: Medium dark. This is for light brown skin that rarely gets sunburned and easily tans in the sun.
TYPE 6: Dark. The shade for dark brown skin with naturally cold undertones that rarely sunburns.
A tinted serum may appear too light or too dark immediately upon application. Wait for it to dry fully to ensure that the shade matches your skin tone.
Think of our six shades as a guide. The serum offers light coverage so each shade will in fact work for several different undertones.”
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| Image from Typology website |
- As promising as the descriptions sounded neither of the two shades I picked are a perfect match for me. I feel the swatch image is quite misleading, they don't appear this way in person as they do in the picture. I can get away with Type 2 for most of my face though it's a little too pale and pink in undertone for my forehead/around mouth.
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| Dior Face & Body 3WO, Typology Tinted Serum Type 2 & Type 3, Chanel Water Fresh Tint Medium Plus |
Type 3 however I could use as a liquid bronzer. It's basically orange with a pink undertone and looks very similar to my MAC Prep + Prime Peach Lustre Corrector... I can get away with Type 3 mixed with a teeny bit of Type 2 for my forehead, but the undertone is very reddish/pink and just doesn't compliment my natural tones.
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| Typology Tinted Serum Type 2 and Type 3 |
I think they need to expand their shade range or at least include a more golden/olive shade. I've also mixed both shades which works alright but I'm not planning on buying 2 shades just to make it work since they both have a pinkish undertone which doesn't work well for me.
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| Typology Type 2 & 3 mixed. In direct sunlight |
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| Typology Type 2 & 3 mixed. Away from direct sunlight |
- This has a smooth, gel like, creamy serum like texture. It's not overly runny or thin. In comparison, the Glossier Skin Tint is more liquidy and runny. This is a little thicker but still feels super lightweight on the skin. You can use your fingers to apply but as always I prefer using a brush. It glides over the skin effortlessly! I think most skin types can definitely get away with this formula but if you have particularly dry or dehydrated skin you will adore this! It's a very comfortable formula!
- This offers between a light to medium coverage, a little more than the Glossier Skin Tint (review) and the Chanel Water Fresh Tint (review). It evens the skin out whilst still showing skin and any marks you may have. It provides a lot more coverage than I was actually expecting and a little goes a long way.
- The finish is what has blown me away! This reminds me of the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter (review) but lighter in feel and thinner in consistency with a touch more coverage. Like the Flawless Filter it smoothens out my skin really well and gives it a super healthy, dewy and luminous appearance. It literally makes my skin glow in all the right places. It gives the impression that my skincare game is going strong!
- This also feels very lightweight on the skin, at first it can feel a bit tacky but I find as it sets the tackiness does tone down a little bit but considering the nature of this tinted serum the tackiness never really goes away completely. This hasn't been a problem for me and hasn't stopped me from using it, nor does it interfere with my day to day life.
- When it comes to longevity the Tinted Serum has decent stick. I've worn this for over 8 hours and I haven't turned into a complete grease ball nor has it disappeared by the end of my work day. I love that this doesn't settle into pores or fine lines and keeps me looking dewy and luminous the entire day. I do set my t-zone (using my Urban Decay Velvetizer powder) i.e. forehead, the sides of my nose and chin as those areas tend to look the most unflattering when greasy or dewy.
- I’ve noticed this formula does transfer quite easily. So definitely set it with some powder if you want it to last.
- However I have to mention that I have noticed the skincare you use beneath the Tinted Serum hugely impacts the finish, feel and the longevity. The more skincare layers or hydration you have underneath the more dewy this will look. The less layers of skincare you have underneath the more matte it becomes, it sinks in to the skin more and becomes one with it which makes it last longer and feel less tacky. So you have the option of working your skincare around the serum to determine these three factors.
- The Typology Serum is up there for me at the moment alongside the Chanel Water Fresh Tint. In comparison the Chanel has more of a natural matte finish on me whereas this Tinted Serum is more dewy and luminous, however the Tinted Serum is still just as skin like! I'm sorry but the Glossier has actually gone way down in my favourites list compared to these two formulas. It's funny but the Chanel and the Typology tints are both poor shade matches for me but it hasn't stopped me from wearing and adoring them, the Glossier is actually a better match but just doesn't come close in formula!
The negatives:
- Biggest let down for me is the shade undertones, I don't understand why companies don't provide proper yellow undertoned shades as well. It's 2020 soon to be 2021 companies (especially French) must understand by now that not everyone has pink undertones and that yellow undertones are needed for a lot of ethnicities and that it's just as important alongside a diverse shade range no?
- As with most dewy products this can highlight bumps and texture so I would advise to apply this sparingly in the t-zone area or any area where you have texture which is what I do. However this formula does have a certain amount of skin smoothening to it too which makes it more flattering. I keep this mostly on the centre of my face and apply sparingly elsewhere and set mostly the t-zone with a light layer of powder, this works a treat for me.
I am utterly obsessed with this Tinted Serum, I love dewy bases and this is the best light coverage one from the ones I have tried so far. For me it's a winner because it has right balance of shine and smoothness and looks uber natural on the skin, it's delicious! I don't know how they've achieved the smoothing effect since this formula has no silicones in it but I just love how healthy my cheeks look and I adore it when dewy formulas like this one highlights the angles of your nose in a certain way and makes it look all cute. I definitely recommend this formula if you love dewy smooth looking skin, the formula is beautiful.
As always I hope you enjoyed this review! Have you read my previous review? Chanel Water Fresh Tint
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