Typology Tinted Serum Review

I’m constantly searching for the perfect foundation, so when I heard about this silicone-free, non-clogging tinted serum from Typology I knew I had to try it.

My experience with tinted serums in the past has been somewhat questionable. I feel like it’s really difficult for brands to nail the perfect combination of decent coverage and a super lightweight formula, so I was a little apprehensive going into this.

But, could the Typology tinted serum finally be a winner? Keep reading to find out…

What is it?

The Typology tinted serum is a makeup-skincare hybrid that’s meant to offer light coverage for a natural, no-makeup makeup look. It’s formulated with a bunch of brightening and hydrating ingredients to keep your skin glowing all day.

How do you use it?

Though it’s called a ‘serum’, this still goes at the end of your skincare routine, after you’ve applied your SPF. I usually apply around 3 or 4 drops onto my face and then blend it in using a slightly damp beauty blender – you don’t want it too wet or it’ll water down the product!

This seems to be the mode of application that works best for me, although you will get more coverage using a brush or a dry sponge.

What are the standout ingredients?

Squalane – A stable derivative of squalene. It’s an emollient which repairs the skin’s barrier and reduces inflammation.

Glycerin – A humectant that helps hydrate and moisturise the skin.

Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate – A stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C that fights free radicals and lightens discolouration.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice – Commonly just called aloe vera. It’s a natural moisturiser that helps calm inflammation and aids the skin’s natural healing process.

Check out the full ingredients list below and visit Incidecoder to find out exactly what each one does.

What’s the shade selection like?

The Typology tinted serum comes in six different shades. This selection is based on the Fitzpatrick phototype scale and takes into account not just skin tone, but the skin’s response to UV exposure too.

The brand describes each skin type as the following…

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.

taken from typology.com

Typology also stresses that, since the serums are fairly light, they should work for multiple undertones. The product may not look like an exact match when it’s initially applied, but after blending it in it will adjust to your skin.

Which skin type is it suitable for?

The brand’s website states that this serum is suited to all skin types and, having tried it, I feel this is probably true – my combination skin seemed to like it at least! It didn’t highlight any dry patches on my face and, at the same time, it didn’t make me look overly oily.

Since it is so light, I think the finish largely depends on the skincare you use underneath and how you prepare your face beforehand.

How did I feel about…

THE SCENT

In the bottle, this has a very faint scent – as most foundations do. But when it’s actually on the face you really can’t smell it at all. Typology does say that it’s fragrance free so any scent that it does have is not artificially added.

THE SHADE MATCH

While Type 2 seemed to describe my skin tone best, I had a feeling it would be too dark. After umming and ahing for hours, I decided to get both Type 1 and Type 2 – my plan being that I would mix them if they were both a little off.

I’m extremely glad I did because, as you can see in the photo above, Type 2 was definitely not the right shade for me.

For now I’ll be sticking to Type 1, but I’d be interested to see if Type 2 matches my skin tone after fake tanning. I’d really like to find some way to use it! I’ve seen others use a darker skin tint or foundation in place of their bronzer so I might test that out too!

THE COVERAGE

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the coverage this product gave. After my disappointing experience with the NYX tinted skin serum – you can read my full review here – I was a little cautious about buying another ‘serum’ foundation. But I think this offers the perfect amount of coverage and, best of all, it can actually be built up.

The Typology tinted serum is definitely more sheer than a traditional foundation. However, depending on how you apply it, it does have the potential to cover redness and blemishes.

I found that when I used it with a brush the coverage was more similar to that of a super lightweight foundation. And when I applied it with a damp beauty blender, it gave me more of that sheer serum finish I expected.

THE PACKAGING

I LOVE the packaging of these serums! It’s simple but still elegant, and the frosted glass bottle makes it feel really fancy. I’ve read reviews of people having trouble with the dropper, since it is so small, but I haven’t noticed any issues as of yet. I’ll keep you updated if it does start to play up!

Notes on sustainability

Typology is B Corp certified and Peta Approved meaning that it must meet rigorous social and environmental standards. All of their products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they’ve also committed to minimising the amount of packaging they use. The glass bottles that these serums come in is recyclable, as is the plastic and aluminium they use for their other products.

Final thoughts

I had massively high hopes for the Typology tinted serum and it 100% lived up to them. It’s light, but not so light that it just blends into nothingness. And, despite the hydrating ingredients, I don’t find this looks unnaturally dewy like some other tinted serums do.

This really does feel like another layer of skin and is totally ideal for those who love light-coverage foundations. It melts into your complexion giving a radiant, natural-looking finish. And, best of all, it contains so many skin-nourishing ingredients that your skin never looks dry, cakey or flakey at the end of the day.

It’s such an underrated skin tint and I wish more people knew about it! Tbh I think this is my favourite tinted serum I’ve tried so far and probably the one I wear most often.

Where can I buy this serum?

At the moment this tinted serum can only be purchased through the Typology website. It costs £25.90 for one but, if you’re unsure about the shades and decide to buy two, the second one is half price.

Have you tried the Typology tinted serum yet? Or would you try it? Tell me your thoughts and ask any questions you have down below.