We test beauty balms combing coverage with skincare – our budget pick is only £5
BEAUTY balms – base products that combine coverage with skincare – have had a rebrand, and the 2024 version is SO much better than the formulas of the past.
This week, I’ve put three to the test.
Budget
Technic Foundation Balm, £5 for 8.5g, techniccosmetics.com – Before I opened this, I wasn’t convinced it was going to be the front-runner.
The ingredients list is light on skincare ingredients – it does contain a whopping 11 amino acids (which help hydrate skin and boost collagen production) but not much else.
It’s extremely high coverage, so camouflages spots, pigmentation and redness, but is quite hard to blend, feels heavy on your skin and there are only five shades to choose from.
There are better options out there for a high street foundation, or one with skincare ingredients.
Mid-range
VIEVE Skin Nova Complexion Balm, £34 for 30ml, spacenk.com/uk – This was by far my favourite of the three.
The tube packaging and liquid formula make it the easiest to dispense and use, and the gel-like texture feels comfortable and hydrating without being overly wet or sticky.
It also has the most coverage of all those I tried – it’s buildable so you can tailor it to your desired finish although if you want full coverage, you’ll need to pair it with a concealer.
It contains skincare powerhouse ingredients niacinamide, polyglutamic acid (which holds four times more moisture than hyaluronic acid), amino acids and glycerin.
Luxury
Jones Road What the Foundation, £42 for 35g, libertylondon.com – Created by beauty mogul Bobbi Brown, I had high expectations for this balm but I’m not sure if it lived up to them.
It’s super hydrating, and almost like a thick moisturiser with a slight tint.
Because of this, it’s not pigmented enough for me (I have a lot of redness and acne scars, so like something that covers them) and it also felt quite sticky on my oily skin.
If you have super dry or mature skin that drinks up anything hydrating, you might love it (my mum does!) but I can’t imagine using it regularly myself.
Pick of the week
BIG news for those of you who grew up in the 90s and Noughties – the Urban Decay Naked Original Eyeshadow Palette, £55, is back, but for a limited time only.
It includes everything you need for day-to-day and special-occasion eyeshadow, including a built-in mirror and a brush.
It went viral before TikTok even existed thanks to the mix of warm, neutral and cool toned shades in matte, shimmer and glitter finishes.
It will replace every other eyeshadow in your make-up bag.