Delivers lightweight, pore-blurring coverage with a natural soft-matte finish ideal for oily to combination skin.
A soft-matte, pore-blurring base that aims to bridge the gap between skin tint and foundation. We tested NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint across skin types to see if it truly smooths texture and lasts through a long day.
If you want the easy feel of a tint with the polish of a foundation, NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation sits right in that sweet spot. It promises a blurred, soft-matte finish with buildable coverage that evens tone without masking skin. After weeks of wear across oily, combination, normal, and dry complexions, here is the clear picture on whether this drugstore favorite earns a spot in your routine.
Overview
NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation is a silicone-based, liquid-gel formula in a travel-friendly squeeze tube. The texture lands between a fluid foundation and a mousse. It spreads easily, then sets to a flexible soft-matte finish that looks naturally velvety rather than flat. Coverage starts at light medium with a pea-sized amount and can be built to solid medium with a second thin layer.
The brand positions this as a pore-blurring base with shine control and long wear. In practice, it does blur the look of pores and fine texture better than most drugstore skin tints, thanks to a good balance of smoothing silicones and diffusing pigments. It is fragrance-free to most noses, though you may catch a faint cosmetic scent that disappears as it sets. There is no added SPF, so pair it with sunscreen during the day.
The shade range reaches from fair to deep with multiple undertones. Undertones lean wearable and not overly yellow or pink, and the formula has a bit of flexibility that helps one shade suit a range. If you hover between shades, plan on a slight depth shift as it sets, which is common for soft-matte bases.
Who it’s for
This foundation is best for oily to combination skin and anyone who wants a smoother, more refined canvas without heavy coverage. If you like a soft-focus finish that tones down shine and texture, it delivers. It is also a good choice if you want something that looks polished on camera without feeling thick in real life.
Normal skin types can wear it comfortably with a light moisturizer underneath. Dry or dehydrated skin can still use it, but prep matters. Because it sets quickly and offers shine control, it may catch on flaky patches if you skip hydration. A hydrating primer or rich moisturizer will make the finish look more like velvet than powder.
If you prefer radiant or dewy finishes, this will feel more matte than you like unless you mix it with a drop of hydrating serum or lean on a glowy primer. If you need full coverage or want to conceal pronounced discoloration in one step, this likely will not be enough on its own.
How it feels and performs
On first squeeze, the texture looks creamy and slightly airy. It spreads easily with fingers or a brush and has a few seconds of slip before it begins to set. It feels lightweight on the skin, without the slightly tacky dry-down that some drugstore soft-matte formulas can have. Once set, it becomes almost undetectable to the touch, which helps it resist transfer to phone screens and clothing collars.
Coverage is flexible. One thin layer evens redness and softens visible pores while leaving freckles and natural skin visible. A second thin layer raises coverage to medium, enough to handle mild hyperpigmentation and healed blemish marks. Because the formula sets quickly, it is better to apply in small sections rather than dotting the entire face at once.
The blurring claim is not hype. On combination and oily skin, pores along the sides of the nose and cheeks look softer right away, and the finish diffuses light enough to smooth minor texture. Powder becomes optional for many except on very oily T-zones. On normal skin, it gives that chic, satin-velvet look that photographs well.
Longevity depends on prep. On combination skin with a basic moisturizer, we saw about 8 to 10 hours of presentable wear before shine peeked through. With an oil-controlling primer, it held to 10 to 12 hours with minimal breakdown. Oily foreheads benefit from a midday blot and a quick press of powder. On dry skin, it wore 6 to 8 hours before settling into lines or clinging to any flakes that were not smoothed at prep.
Oxidation is mild. Expect a tiny shift warmer and deeper as it dries, about half a shade. It is enough that if you are between shades, you might prefer the lighter option. Once it sets, the color stays stable rather than continuing to darken.
Transfer and mask tests were good for a drugstore base. Once fully set, it left only faint marks on a white mask and did not slide around with normal facial movements. In heat and humidity, it stayed intact but did not keep all shine at bay. Blotting papers brought it back without caking.
It plays well with most primers and concealers, especially hydrating or serum-like formulas. Dense, cream stick products layered on top can look heavy. A lightweight hydrating concealer under the eyes balances the foundation’s matte tendency and avoids dryness. Powder works best when pressed lightly only where needed. A fine mist setting spray can melt everything together and restore a skin-like finish.
Flash photography looked true to tone, as there is no SPF to bounce light. Removal is easy with a cleansing balm or oil followed by a gentle face wash. We did not experience increased breakouts across our testers, but as with any silicone-forward base, a thorough cleanse is important if you are acne-prone.
How to use for best results
Prep for your skin type. Oily and combination skin can use a lightweight gel moisturizer and, if desired, a thin oil-control primer in the T-zone. Dry and mature skin should opt for a richer moisturizer or hydrating primer to keep the soft-matte finish from catching on dry patches.
Apply in sections. Place small dots on the cheeks, blend, then move to the next area. The formula sets faster than dewy tints, so working in quarters avoids patchiness. If you use fingers, tap and glide quickly. If you use a brush, a dense buffing or flat top brush gives the most coverage. A damp sponge will sheer it out for a lighter, more skin-like look.
Use less than you think. Start with a pea-sized amount for the entire face. Add tiny touches only where you want more coverage. Over-applying can make the soft-matte finish look flat and can emphasize fine lines.
Conceal strategically. Pair with a hydrating concealer under the eyes and on any remaining spots. This keeps the base fresh while delivering coverage exactly where you need it.
Set selectively. Oily T-zones benefit from a light dusting of translucent powder pressed in with a puff. Let the rest of the face breathe to keep a natural finish. If you prefer extra insurance, finish with a fine mist setting spray to take down any powdery edges.
Customize the finish. For more glow, mix a drop of hydrating serum or luminizing primer into the foundation in your palm. For more grip in hot weather, apply over a silicone primer and keep layers thin.
Mind undertones and dry-down. If you are torn between two shades, choose the one that looks slightly lighter right after application to account for the soft warm shift as it sets.
Pros and cons
- Soft-matte, blurred finish that smooths pores and texture without looking chalky
- Buildable light medium to solid medium coverage with a lightweight feel
- Resists transfer once set and wears well through a busy day
- Plays nicely with hydrating concealers and most primers
- Budget-friendly price for the performance level
- Can cling to dry patches or emphasize fine lines if skin is not well prepped
- Sets quickly, so it requires working in sections to avoid streaks
- Mild oxidation on dry-down can make shades look a touch deeper and warmer
- No added SPF, so you need a separate sunscreen
- Silicone-forward feel may not suit those who prefer a dewy or skincare-only base
Final verdict
NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation succeeds at delivering a naturally polished, soft-matte finish that smooths the look of pores and holds up well through a full day. It feels lighter than most medium coverage drugstore foundations and looks more refined than typical skin tints. Oily and combination skin types will get the most effortless results, while dry or mature skin can still enjoy it with deliberate hydration and thin layers.
If your ideal base makes you look like you woke up with an even, velvety complexion and not like you are wearing a full face of makeup, this is an easy yes. Just take a moment to prep, apply in small amounts, and choose your shade with its slight dry-down in mind. The payoff is a modern, blurred base that plays well with the rest of your routine.
See also
If you want a coordinating brightening step, the hydrating formula in the NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum pairs beautifully with this foundation’s soft-matte finish. For a broader view of similar textures and finishes, compare options in our guide to the Best Foundation for a Natural Look.
Shopping around drugstore tints with different finishes? Read our wear tests in the Maybelline Super Stay Skin Tint Review and the Urban Decay Face Bond Waterproof Foundation Review. If you are finalizing a shade, use these tips to pick your foundation shade online without regret.
FAQ
Does NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation oxidize?
It has a mild dry-down shift that reads slightly warmer and about half a shade deeper as it sets. If you are between two shades, consider choosing the lighter option to account for that change. Once set, it stays stable rather than continuing to darken throughout the day.
Is this foundation good for oily skin?
Yes. The soft-matte finish and smoothing silicones help control shine and blur pores on oily and combination skin. Expect 8 to 10 hours of good wear on its own and longer with an oil-control primer and a light powder touch-up in the T-zone.
Will it cling to dry patches or emphasize texture?
It can if you skip prep. Because it sets quickly and has shine control, dry or textured areas may look more noticeable without hydration. Use a rich moisturizer or hydrating primer, apply thin layers, and press a damp sponge over the final layer to smooth edges.
Does it have SPF or cause flashback in photos?
There is no added SPF, so you will need a separate sunscreen under it for daytime. The lack of SPF filters also means it does not cause white cast or flashback in photos, which is helpful for events and evening wear.
What tools work best to apply this foundation?
A dense brush gives the most coverage fastest, fingers offer quick blending in small sections, and a damp sponge will sheer the product for a softer look. No matter the tool, work in sections and use small amounts to avoid over-application as it sets.
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