There are two kinds of summer beauty: the kind you leave the house wearing, and the kind that’s left after you’ve sweat it all off. I love a good beat face, but I hate the idea of running makeup when I lose complete control over the elements.
So I was absolutely stoked when Typology sent me some of their products. I’d long followed them on Instagram after my algorithm sent me so many of their aesthetically-branded ads (I’m a sucker for good branding). And I was familiar with their game — “skincare makeup.”
Instagram // @Typologyparis
What is Typology?
Their website’s dropdown menu offers the following site locations: Summer Essentials. By Edit. Face Care. Stage of Skin Aging. Body and Hair Care. By Concern. Skin Diagnostic.
Sounds more like a Goop partnership than a makeup company, right? That’s precisely the point.
According to medical experts like Dr. Whitney Bowe, “When you work out, your pores and sweat glands need to open up so that your skin can breathe and cool down. But a full face of makeup prevents your skin from breathing.”
When women leave for a pool party on a scorching day, the beach with friends or even to the gym, they might prefer a little bit of coverage, without completely sacrificing their skin’s health.
Taken by Isabel Ravenna
Testing Typology
I tried a few of their most popular products for a couple of weeks: the Tinted Serum, Tinted Concealer, Glow Drops, Replenishing Lip Balm and Color Corrector for Redness.
I should disclaim that, prior to Typology, my regular makeup products came from Rare Beauty, Glossier, Milk Makeup and rem beauty. I have a very skin-forward makeup routine. I occasionally bust out my Glossier foundation for extra coverage, but regularly used their skin tint. In other words, if you want Huda Beauty or Nars-level coverage — that is not Typology.
Real Girl Product Field Test
Vitamin C + Aloe Vera
Technique: I squirt one “bloop” of shade “Light” into my fingertips and evenly massage throughout my face. Technical, I know.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Claim: A silicone-free, non-clogging tinted serum for light coverage and a natural, no-makeup finish. Formulated with vitamin C for radiance and squalene & aloe vera for deep, long-lasting hydration.
The Verdict: This product is fabulous. If Glossier’s skin-tint is light coverage, this one must be medium. I’ve been cursed with super dry skin and I’ve noticed that while wearing this product, my skin is never flakey (an occasional problem for me) — though wearing it during the winter months will be the real test. Still, I’ve worn it while hiking, while at the beach, I’ve even used it throughout a recent heat wave, and it is definitely long-lasting. It’s become a regular part of my daily routine, making its “little goes a long way” a great benefit as well.
with 5% Vitamin C + Aloe Vera
Technique: I squirted one “bloop” of The Glow Drops with one “bloop” of The Tinted Serum and massaged all over my face.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Claim: Enriched with antioxidant vitamin C and soothing aloe vera, this illuminating concentrate delivers radiance to the complexion instantly and over time.
The Verdict: I’ve always been a big fan of bronze drops, primarily to look just a little more sun-kissed, but what’s unique about these Glow Drops is that they don’t really add any color, just the perfect amount of shimmer to look outrageously dewey, which I love. So much. As for the vitamin C and aloe elements, I have noticed my hyperpigmentation fade significantly. It feels like I do my nighttime skincare to sleep and my daytime skincare/light makeup for the day.
Technique: I apply the slightest bit of pressure to the tube, and just touch my finger to it (or the product to my under eyes) and then blend with my ring fingers or beauty blenders. Either way, a little goes a very long way, here.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Claim: This medium-high coverage tinted concealer is enriched with caffeine, niacinamide and cornflower hydrolate to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, instantly and long term.
The Verdict: This is my favorite concealer ever used. It is surprisingly thick and definitely full coverage (for me), without the greasiness I’m used to with my Glossier concealer or the cakiness I’ve seen with Tarte’s Shape Tape. It’s incredibly blendable and does not move. As for the long-term lightening effects, I might have noticed a subtle difference, but dark/puffy under-eyes haven’t been my personal strife.
Niacinamide 2% + Green Seaweed Extract
Rating: ★★★★☆
The Claim: This green corrector instantly conceals redness. Enriched with niacinamide and green seaweed, it reduced the appearance of redness with daily use. Buildable coverage for a natural finish, without added weight.
The Verdict: This product definitely worked. It’s not quite as effective as a color corrector from, say, Nars, but it is truly buildable and reduces redness. Again, it isn’t completely flawless, but it definitely aids in reducing the pigmentation of said blemish even after use
with 5% Vitamin C + Aloe Vera
Technique: I gently touch the applicator with the tip of my finger and “dab dab dab” it on my cheekbones, eyebrow bone, inner eyelids, nose bridge/tip.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Verdict: Truly a game-changing highlighter for daily, glowy, dewey realness. If you’re a fan of the “what?? It’s just sweat!” look, this is the one for you. I occasionally alternate between these glow drops and my Glossier futuredew stick, and as much as I love it — 1) it stays sticky, and my hair gets stuck with is annoying. 2) it’s not skincare.
Ceramides + Hyaluronic acid
Rating: ★★★★☆
The Claim: Enriched with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this balm provides 8-hour hydration for soft, supple lips.
The Verdict: I was sent this one in clear, which I always have on deck. I do not do chapped lips, so this one comes with me in every purse and is the first thing I see when I wake up and last thing I see when I fall asleep — a nightstand go-to. Now, I love it so much that I’m going to need to buy the other colors because I love a pretty, tinted balm. A major plus is the packaging — it’s adorable, aesthetic and magnetic, which is super satisfying to habitually click together as an ADHD stim.
I topped my look off with the r.e.m. beauty “flourishing lengthening mascara” and Glossier’s “cloud paint” in shade puff.
Yes, I’m in love with these products. No, Typology didn’t pay me to say that.