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I never thought I’d see the day when I would part ways with my trusty Bobbi Brown lightweight foundation with SPF 15, which was perfect for everyday wear. I started using this foundation in mid-2019 and never looked back. The color match was perfect, the finish was beautiful and it was the perfect option for when I didn’t want to use my Nars foundation which provides a medium-to-full coverage.
Three to four years ago, it was so hard to find a lightweight foundation with sunscreen for medium skin tones.
The few options available on the market didn’t really convince me, and I didn’t want to go the tinted moisturizer route. Well…I think a new lover has come into my life. If there’s one makeup product I’m reluctant to switch, it’s foundation. But this one was too good to pass up.
In February 2022, Kosas came out with their highly anticipated Revealer Foundation, which created a fuss online. I still remember when Kosas, which was founded in Los Angeles by Sheena Yaitanes, was only available in select beauty stores across the city. I purchased a lipstick from them in 2018, way before they made their way into Sephora. Their tinted moisturizers didn’t really catch my eye, but they’ve made great strides in inclusivity and have come up with innovative products.
I knew that Kosas prided themselves on creating beauty products with skincare at the forefront. I tried their bronzers once at Sephora, and I have to say, I was impressed by their pigmentation. When natural makeup brands started coming out, they were not necessarily celebrated for their pigment, but the beauty industry is ever-changing, now more than ever.
Their medium-to-full-coverage concealer, recognizable by its bright yellow cap, went viral on TikTok and YouTube. People praised its creamy consistency and natural finish. And on top of that, it’s formulated with skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and pink algae, which help reduce the appearance of dark circles! Every time I went to Sephora, I browsed the products in the Kosas display, even though I had never actually tried their viral concealer. However, I was drawn to the yellow packaging and clear bottles. Retail psychology 101!
Sheena Yaitanes shared with Byrdie.com:
“We received so many comments, emails, and DMs asking when the formula was going to be made into a foundation. It really was the amazing response to Revealer Concealer that led to the creation of the Revealer Foundation.”
Yaitanes also shared that getting the foundation right took a lot of trial and error. Kosas’ Revealer Foundation provides a light-to-medium coverage.
So… how would it perform? I went to Sephora and asked an employee to match my foundation shade. I told them my Nars foundation shade (Barcelona), which is an exact match. The employee immediately picked shade 260, a medium-tan shade with neutral-olive undertones. I swiped a small amount along my jawline and down my neck. The foundation instantly disappeared into my skin! If a foundation does this, it means the match is perfect.
I asked for a sample to take home and researched the foundation, which had been generating buzz on many popular beauty blogs since it was released in February 2022.
Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid – Keeps your skin moisturized and boosts elasticity.
Niacinamide – Reduces inflammation and helps ease redness, eczema and acne.
Peptides – Maintain texture, firmness and elasticity.
Squalane – Boosts hydration and makes the skin look more vibrant.
Vitamin B5 – Helps retain moisture
Arnica + Caffeine – Increase circulation and stimulate white blood cell production.
And most importantly, the Kosas Revealer foundation has SPF 25, and it’s mineral and reef-safe! The overall benefits: it brightens, soothes, plumps and protects. Note: just because a foundation has SPF, doesn’t mean you should forego sunscreen!
When I put it on for the first time, I used my hands. I still prefer to apply my foundation with a brush because you have more control over the placement, but that’s just me. The consistency is creamy, weightless and blends into the skin seamlessly. I was pleasantly surprised. Think of it as a serum that doubles as foundation. Makeup artist Katrina Klein shared that you must not use a silicone-based primer before, because this is a water-based foundation and will cause pilling. Before applying the foundation, she preps the skin with Chanel CC Cream, which has SPF 50. With this being said, don’t overprep your skin if you’re going to use this foundation.
After I put it on for the first time, I immediately feII in love and called three different Sephora locations, which were all sold out of my shade! Luckily, Sephora at The Grove had a few left, so I went there. Finally, I could have the full experience of applying the foundation straight from their pretty packaging. A little bit goes a LONG WAY! You only need one full pump for your entire face.
My skin is far from perfect. I have some texture on my forehead and cheeks. After I put it on, I immediately had a natural glow, not a shiny finish, but a healthy glow. My imperfections appeared blurred, and overall, it looked like I had a whole new complexion. Not the kind that screams, ‘I’m obviously wearing foundation,’ but the kind that makes you think, ‘This is just my natural skin.’ In the picture below, I kept my complexion makeup to a minimum: Kosas foundation, a dab of ABH concealer, and Rose Inc blush in the shade Azalea. I get oily on my forehead throughout the day, so I applied a little bit of setting powder.
I sent a picture to my mom and she couldn’t stop complimenting my skin! I kept telling her that it wasn’t my skin, that it was the foundation doing its magic. I also make sure to take care of my skin every day with great products, but that “no makeup makeup glow”? That’s the foundation!
Although this foundation is buildable, I recommend using a concealer for correcting any dark spots.
Even after a few hours, the foundation didn’t look cakey, nor did it cling onto dry spots around my nose. All day, it felt like I was wearing moisturizer.
Overall, I’m incredibly impressed with the Kosas Revealer Foundation. It delivers the natural, healthy-looking finish I’ve always wanted and has earned a permanent spot in my makeup routine.
Visit Kosas’ website and Instagram.
Have you tried anything from Kosas?
