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According to Punxsutawney Phil, we have less than five more weeks of winter left, which means that our skin is still craving creamy hydration to combat the dryness of wintertime while also gradually waking up to its perennial desire of flaunting sheer, lightweight color once the temperatures start to climb. Think a combination of these two wishes in one makeup product is an impossible ask? Think again. Today, ColourPop Cosmetics released the Pretty Fresh Tinted Foundation Balm that hydrates, offers buildable coverage, and is packed with nourishing ingredients.
ColourPop launched in 2014, initially selling eyeshadows — the by-now-cult-favorite Super Shock Shadows, to be exact — and then promptly expanded to everything from glittery powder palettes to bold eyeliners to antioxidant-rich lip oil (it also dabbles in skin care and makeup tools!). As part of its Pretty Fresh line, ColourPop has so far only spotlighted liquid foundations in a dazzling multitude of shades (with an even more dazzling affordability factor). That being said, the introduction of a foundation stick-slash-balm is news to gush over… before promptly ordering it in multiples for you and all your main squeezes.
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The ColourPop Pretty Fresh Tinted Foundation Balm practically melts into your skin instead of caking on top of it; it’s made to be a second skin of sorts and thus conceal all imperfections without the weight; and the balm’s ingredient composition (with star players including hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing peptides, and brightening niacinamide) ensures you won’t mistreat your skin by applying it on a regular basis.
Integrating this new release into your makeup routine is also a choose-your-own-adventure experience at its finest. Indeed, you can swipe on the balm for one-and-done spot coverage or else distribute it all over your face as a base for bronzer and other add-ons. With 18 shades on offer, everyone’s complexion is bound to feel included and honored.
When I personally tried it on — going with a light (Light 7) and a medium shade (Medium Dark 16) for contouring purposes — I was very satisfied with how smoothly it transferred onto skin, bearing an almost mousse-like consistency. Everything blended perfectly with my sponge, and the end result was a dewy, creamy glow that I don’t see often with the liquid foundations I typically resort to. Word of warning, though: ColourPop’s new foundation balm is quite pigmented and rich, so it might stain your phone screen if you press your cheek to it while taking a call!
Still on the fence? Let us assure you that the brand is beloved by everyone it seems like — from TikTok users to celebrities alike. On TikTok, the #colourpop hashtag boasts over 180,000 posts and millions of views; as for celebrity approval, look no further than Chappell Roan‘s own endorsement.
This global phenomenon (erm, “Femininomenon”!) who won a Grammy this year for Best New Artist recently told the publication Them that she used ColourPop’s makeup for the album cover of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess — specifically calling out its drugstore prices despite not being a drugstore brand.
We’re not surprised at this mention in the least, as ColourPop’s lineup is mostly bright and eye-catching: a perfect match for the “Pink Pony Club” singer. Its limited-edition Valentine’s Day collection this year, however, went with a kind of moody, dark academia vibe, so it’s safe to say the Los Angeles–born cosmetics company can do it all. It’s collaborated on launches with everyone from Bratz to Pokemon, after all: displaying a commendable versatility and adaptability to trends while still keeping true to the original brand ethos.
We seriously urge you to capitalize on the boom in popularity of foundation balms and sticks right now — evident in just how trendy the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick has been lately, to give an example — by snagging the effective, skin-loving, and comparatively budget-friendly Pretty Fresh Tinted Foundation Balm from ColourPop today. It will soon become your favorite makeup essential for everyday wear, whether you choose to pair it with minimalist touches here and there or else use it as the first step of a Chappell Roan–inspired statement look.
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Tinted Foundation Balm, Medium Dark 16
Price upon publish date of this article: $14
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Tinted Foundation Balm, Deep Dark 22
Price upon publish date of this article: $14
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on new product offerings in the makeup category.