ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum Foundation Review & Swatches

ELF Foundation Serum ($8 at elfcosmetics.com) is part of the new Beautifully Bare collection and promises to give a weightless no-makeup look while minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Let's take a look!
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum Foundation Review
Elf Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum in Fair

Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum contains broad spectrum SPF 25 and comes in three shades: Fair/Light, Light/Medium, and Medium/Dark. I wish that it came in a broader range of shades but the coverage is lightweight enough that it will blend easily enough with most skin tones, even if it's not an exact color match.

This does contain mineral oil, for those of you who are trying to avoid products that contain it. It's not a problem for me, but I definitely wanted to mention it!

It comes in a clear plastic pump bottle that looks sleek and pretty (love the silver accents!) but feels a little flimsy and cheap in your hand. I definitely appreciate the pump though...I still don't understand why every foundation doesn't have a pump, but that's a discussion for another day.
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum Foundation Review
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum in Fair/Light

ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum Foundation Review
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum in Fair/Light
The formula is very lightweight and runny...similar to L'oreal's Magic Nude/Maybelline Dream Wonder which are also serum-like foundations. But rather than feeling watery on the skin like those do, this one feels a teeny bit thicker and more silicone-y...almost like a very lightweight primer. It does have silicones at the top of the ingredient list, so that makes sense.
When you pump it onto your skin, the lightweight formula will start to drip if you turn your hand down, so it's a lot more runny than a regular foundation.
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum Foundation Swatches
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum swatch in Fair/Light

Coverage-wise, this is very sheer and doesn't cover many flaws, just evens out your skin a little bit .I would say the coverage is equivalent to a tinted moisturizer. It doesn't appear to have any shimmer in it, but it does give my skin a nice glow, making it look fresh and hydrated with a satiny finish that's not matte or flat. It also looks just like skin once it sets, so it's great for an "I woke up like this" sort of look where no one can really tell that you're wearing makeup. As I mentioned above, it has a slight silicone primer-like feel so it doesn't settle into lines, pores, or cling to dry patches.
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum Foundation Swatches
ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum swatch in Fair/Light

For me, Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum doesn't give enough coverage on it's own but I've found that I can use it as a base and it works great for that! It basically acts as a tinted primer, giving an extra boost of coverage under my foundation. But for those who are just looking to even out their skin tone and aren't looking to cover too many imperfections will love this as a lightweight foundation that has a thin texture that melts right into your skin for a no-makeup look!

You can purchase Elf's Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum at elfcosmetics.com

9 comments

  1. I just received my latest order which, yet again, was missing an item. I called and Tonya from corporate wanted to tell me that it was all cause she was gone for 2 weeks getting married. When she continued to talk over me and wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise, I told her they lost another customer. 3 orders in a row were either incomplete or had broken items. I think it's time to find a new brand. Such a shame.

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  2. What?? That is so unprofessional! Did you complain above her? I admit I don't have a lot of experience ordering from them since I buy most of it at Target. But I were in your shoes I wouldn't be too happy with them. That's crazy!

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    1. I left a voicemail but haven't heard back yet. 3 orders in the last 3 months, each order messed up. That's not even including the Ambient palette epic fail! Had to call for a refund on that one as well. I'm thinking Makeup Revolution will be getting my business very soon!

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    2. I just want to put my 2 cents in, you should absolutely try Makeup Revolution. I first learned about them on this blog and although they have slower shipping from the UK they've never gotten my orders wrong.

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  3. I like how this has SPF and has yellow undertones, as many foundations are too pink or orange on me. They should just rename it tinted moisturizer/primer, so those who are expecting a foundation-like coverage won't be disappointed (Katherine T.)

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    1. I have the opposite problem, I need pink toned foundations and I have a hard time finding ones that aren't yellow, haha! But I agree, those who are looking for foundation may be disappointed, especially because I didn't feel like it was that buildable either.

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  4. Personally I love it. I don't like a heavy makeup look, was looking for Bb cream and bought this instead. I am in my fifties and it looks super natural with just enough coverage and I love that it has 25 spf.

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    1. I'm in my mid 40s and like it also for these reasons!

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  5. I received a bunch of elf cosmetics for Christmas this year and when my package came in my foundation serum container was completely empty. We called to have it replaced and they were out of my color so we were refunded the money for it and was able to purchase it from walmart

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I love getting comments from you and hearing about your experiences with the products, whether you agree with me or not. It's the best way other readers can get the best information before they buy, so keep the comments coming! :)

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