Dual-purpose and even triple-purpose products—part skin care and part makeup— are gaining in popularity. Here’s an overview of this trend from Korea, which will not only brighten your look but also lighten your makeup bag.
By Jessica Dostie
Very few cosmetics brands have resisted the temptation to combine makeup and skin care. “This is not a passing fad: it’s the future of cosmetic products,” says makeup artist David Vincent, a brand ambassador for Watier. After all, why settle for a simple foundation when you can get an improved version, such as a tinted serum? It provides less coverage, but it evens the complexion and also works on spots and wrinkles.
“These products meet the various needs of mature skin,” Vincent explains. Here’s why: the weightless formulas, filled with hydrating ingredients, are less likely to clump in fine lines and create a plaster effect— the result is a natural look. And men are starting to discover the benefits of hybrid products, too.
Other all-in-one formulas help you save time in the morning, whether you prefer a subtle approach to beauty or a more elaborate makeup regimen. Have you tried a solar powder, blush with added vitamins, a tinted lip balm, or a medicated concealer? Here are a few favourites.
Our 8 Recommendations
These multi-purpose products treat your skin while helping you look your best.
1. An Understated Pearlized Look
Whether you use it on its own or blend it with your favourite cream (even your sunscreen), this pearlized product enhances the complexion in no time— and without makeup! It gets bonus points for the vitamin C and caffeine cocktail, which will give you a glowing look and reduce signs of fatigue.
Jouviance Glow+ Illuminating Booster ($39 at Shoppers Drug Mart and en.jouviance.com)
2. A High-Performance Concealer
Enriched with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides, this impeccable concealer hides imperfections without clumping. The result is an even and radiant complexion.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Concealer ($50 at drugstores).
3. A Truly Volumizing Mascara
This long-lasting mascara adds volume to lashes to make your eyes look more radiant, but it also contains active ingredients such as provitamin B5, which protects and strengthens lashes.
Clarins Wonder Volume Mascara XXL ($40 at drugstores).
4. A Hybrid for the Complexion
Both a hydrating serum and a tinted moisturizer, this light-coverage product favourably replaces foundation to hide imperfections and add radiance.
Watier Perfection Glow-Boosting Tinted Serum ($62 at drugstores, watier.com, and sephora.ca).
5. A Superhero Powder
In addition to evening out the complexion, this loose powder made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protects the skin from UV rays (it has an SPF of 50), blue light, and infrared rays. It’s also perfect for mattifying the forehead, nose, and chin.
Karine Joncas 4 in 1 Mineral Sunscreen Powder ($45 at drugstores and karinejoncas.ca).
6. Buildable Colour
Korean brands have become masters at the art of creating effective and sensory multi-purpose skin-care products, and this lip serum is no exception. Infused with argan ceramides and polypeptides, it nourishes and plumps the lips while also adding colour.
LANEIGE Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum ($30 at sephora.ca).
7. A Healthy Glow
One of the best liquid blushes on the market, this tinted serum with buildable colour is enriched with niacinamide and watermelon extract to brighten and hydrate skin while helping to mitigate dark spots.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dewy Flush Brightening Serum Blush ($34 at sephora.ca).
8. An Effortless Tan
A low-priced odourless, transparent, easy-to-apply gradual self-tanner? Who could say no to that? Simply add a few drops of this ultra-moisturizing product made with hyaluronic acid to your day or night cream for a customized natural-looking tan.
Garnier Hyaluronic Acid Self-Tan Serum ($19.99 at drugstores).
