Jane Iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & CoQ10

A tinted serum sits between skincare and makeup. The tint is sheer, so it evens colour out rather than hiding it, and it sits on a hydrating base. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it helps hold water at the surface of the skin, so skin feels hydrated rather than tight. CoQ10 is in the formula too, as the name says. Expect your skin to still look like skin.

How to actually use it

Apply your usual serum and moisturiser first, and give them a minute to settle. Start small. A pea-sized amount is usually enough for the whole face. Warm it between your fingertips, press it on from the centre of the face outwards, then blend the edges at the jaw and hairline. It is buildable, so you can add a second thin layer where you want more evenness, for example around the nose. Thin layers keep the finish natural. Damp fingers or a damp sponge can help it sit more smoothly. Wear it in the morning and take it off properly at night.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It makes the most sense on dry, dehydrated or normal skin, and for anyone who finds matte formulas start looking dry by the middle of the day. It is not the right choice if you want to cover pigmentation, darker marks or noticeable redness. Sheer is sheer. Building it up adds evenness, not opacity. On very oily skin a dewy finish can read as shine after a few hours. There are eight shades, from Fair 1 through to Deeper 8, so if you sit between two shades or have a strong undertone, try it along the jaw in daylight before you commit.

Wearing it in New Zealand

• Sunscreen first. This is makeup, not sun protection, and our UV is strong through the summer months.
• Auckland summer. Humidity tends to push a dewy base shinier. A light dust of powder on the T-zone helps.
• Winter indoors. Heat pumps dry the air out, which is when a hydrating base earns its keep.
• Layering. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, apply while your moisturiser still feels slightly tacky.

The honest limitation: it is light and it is dewy. It will not cover much, and it will not stay matte all day. If you want either of those, this is the wrong product. Stocked at Verdo Cosmetics in Parnell, Auckland, an authorised Jane Iredale stockist. If you are stuck between two shades, ask in store.