Why Serum Foundations Are The Coolest New Makeup

One of my biggest gripes about wearing makeup is when a foundation makes me look unnatural. Sure there are times when I want that completely flawless finish, but most of the time I just want my skin to look evened out without looking plastic. Tinted moisturizers are great for that reason, but they also tend to be super sheer and can leave me desiring a bit more coverage. And then, my friends, I learned about serum foundation.

Luckily, serum foundations are everywhere right now and they are the perfect product to get that "no makeup-makeup" look that most people desire on a daily basis. They are designed to not only cover any imperfections and even out skin tone, but also to provide all of the skincare benefits of a serum. Awesome? Yep.

It seems like almost every brand has jumped on the serum foundation bandwagon, so if curiosity has gotten the best of you, there's one in every price range for you to go test out.

Here's a closer look at some of the serum foundations currently available, and what makes them so great:

1. They have skincare benefits.

Bare Minerals BareSkin Pure Serum Foundation, $27, Amazon

bareMinerals "bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation" doesn't just blur imperfections like a regular foundation would -- it's also clinically proven to "improve the appearance of dark spots, skin brightness and skin texture." This is ideal for anyone with hyper-pigmentation, or scars left behind from acne.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation, $60, Perricone

Perricone MD has a pricier version of this product called "No Foundation Foundation Serum," a serum foundation which helps firm skin, minimizes wrinkles, and reduces the appearance of pores. Perricone's line also includes a bronzer and blush to be used with the foundation. I used Perricone's "No Bronzer Bronzer" in this easy summer makeup tutorial, if you want to see how it looks on the skin.

Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer, $35, Amazon

2. They're so lightweight

YSL's Youth Liberator Serum Foundation, $70, Nordstrom

YSL's Youth Liberator Serum foundation is one of the lightest formulas I've ever felt. I don't own this one, (at $69 it's definitely out of my price range), but I've tested it on my hand and the consistency is incredibly thin. Some people may not like how runny/watery this one is, but if you can't stand foundations which feel thick on your face, this serum foundation is the way to go.

3. They're formulated to actually look like skin

Maybelline's Dream Wonder Foundation, $7, Amazon

One of the main benefits of serum foundation is the fact that when it dries on your face, it looks just like skin. Maybelline's Dream Wonder foundation isn't technically a serum foundation, but it was specifically developed to fuse with skin and look virtually undetectable. While this one won't provide any skincare benefits, it also won't break the bank and you'll be getting a product very similar to some of the more expensive ones out there. Also, Adriana Lima is the cover girl for this foundation, and I'm pretty much sold on anything that will make me look remotely like her.

Have you tried any serum foundations recently? Tweet me (@thebloginista) and let me know which one, and how you're liking it so far!

Images: bareMinerals.com, Nordstrom.com, PerriconeMD.com, Drugstore.com, FashionMention.com