'The $20 tinted moisturiser that has replaced my everyday foundation.'

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Beauty Editor trials Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser.

When it comes to base products, anything in the BB Cream/CC Cream/tinted moisturiser/skin tint category can hop on my wagon. These lightweight formulas are the easiest way to give your skin a little leg up, without having to go all out. Which is always preferred, really.

The best part about them? They'll often come with skin benefits too, giving you a bit of hydration and some tint at the same time. A nice simple multi-tasker that's perfect for days when you don't need a lot of coverage/when the weather is warmer and when you CBF wearing a full face of makeup. (Me, all the time).

Watch: Speaking of foundation, here's Em Vernem trying the hug-proof foundation test. Post continues below.

I have many favourites — from Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint Foundation to Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint and Rimmel Kind & FreeTint, just to name a few.

But goodness, I've tried many. I'm talking hundreds. (Thousands?).

From spendy luxury formulas to budget chemist buys — some of them are those iconic formulas we all know and love, while others are lesser-known gems that just happened to make their way across my desk.

Recently, Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser, $20, shimmied its way into my weekly testers, and because I'm a fan of the Luminous Hydrating Foundation (and know how tricky it can be to find a great summer base), I decided to give it a whirl.

What is Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser?

Described as a formula that "blends skincare and makeup for lightweight coverage and hydrating benefits", Designer Brands Radiant Glow is a tinted moisturiser that offers sheer, buildable coverage that promises to even out your skin tone while still keeping your skin looking like skin.

The skincare x makeup hybrid is $20 on Adore Beauty and contains ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

Image: Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser. 

The formula comes in a handy squeezy tube and is available in four shades: Fair, Light, Medium, and Deep.

How did you go with it?

I tested the shade 'Medium' and found the formula looked thicker than I expected (I kind of thought it would be runnier? Not as pigmented?), however, the coverage was subtle and sheer.

Using a makeup brush (though, you could easily apply it with your hands), I applied it in a thin layer around my face, starting from the centre and moving my way outwards. It almost looked like I was wearing no product at all — except redness and uneven spots were blurred out in a very 'your skin but better' kinda way.

I applied a second layer and was surprised to find the coverage still looked very natural and even — like I wasn't really wearing anything at all. Which is the dream, really!

For reference, here's what it looked like on the back of my hand:

Here's what the formula looks like… out of the tube. Image: Supplied.

And here's what it looked like on my skin:

Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser! On my skin!

It felt light, glowy and comfy and it evened out my skin tone (particularly the persistent redness around my nose and red marks on my chin) without feeling heavy or 'too much'.

I found that it blended in beautifully (I went over the top with a damp beauty blender sponge) and I layered a touch of blush and highlighter over the top ( as well as a lick of mascara) and my look was still very natural and low-key.

Took three minutes. Perfect for summer.

The verdict.

Overall, Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser is a really great lightweight, ultra-sheer alternative to foundation, and I love how it gives you enough coverage to even out your skin tone while still leaving your skin looking natural and, well, like skin.

My favourite thing about this formula is how I can still see my freckles and natural skin texture underneath — there's nothing worse than trying to cancel out redness and ending up feeling (and looking) like you have a mask of coverage. Especially when it's hot and humid. Ugh.

I also love how this formula makes your skin look radiant but not too shimmery or shiny. While I'm a dry girl, I reckon oily and combination girls could get around this one too without feeling like they're going to look like a walking oil slick. My skin felt comfortable and moisturised throughout the day, and it didn't wear off in weird patches or go flaky and gross. I looked in the mirror at 3pm to find my skin still looked even and glowy — and it hadn't piled into the lines around my eyes like my usual foundation does (I'm forever blending the creases around my eyes during the day, which is annoying AF).

My only real qualm, I'd have to say, is the lack of shades. Gah! As I mentioned before, there are only four different shades in the range and there's no way this formula is able to cater to all skin tones — which is pretty disappointing. Especially when you look at brands offering a slew of 40 different shades and more. Here's hoping they expand the range, so everyone can enjoy it!

All in all, I think this is a banger formula for everyday use — it does exactly what you'd expect, wears beautifully and I love how affordable it is.

I try new foundations every week, but I only really write about the good ones. This is one of those good ones. I'm now switching out my regular high-coverage foundation for this light and effortless one.

Lazy girls, get on it!

Have you tried Designer Brands Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser before? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied/Erin Docherty.