Self-taught makeup artist Danessa Myricks has created a cult-phenomenon with her eponymous cosmetics brand, which is known for its celebration of diversity, inclusive shade ranges and high-performance formulas. It’s no surprise her products regularly sell out and have made their way into many professional makeup artists’ kits. I finally got my hands on her fan-favorite Yummy Skin Serum Foundation ($34)—my shade sells out so fast—and it’s worth the hype. Here’s my honest review.
My Skin Type:
Combination. I’m drier in the cold-weather months and oilier in the warm-weather ones thanks to the high humidity on the East Coast. My skin tone is light and I typically wear a light-medium shade of foundation.
The Benefits:
There are so many things to like about this foundation, which comes in 26 shades, and I see why it has hundreds of five-star reviews. But some of the pros also come with minor cons, for me personally. Let me explain: First, the liquidy texture is very light and flexible, and blends like a dream—you have a lot of time to blend and perfect before it sets. However, this more fluid consistency also made it easy for me to squeeze out way more than I needed, and the first couple of times I had to remove some product from my skin (I dabbed a clean beautyblender all over to soak some of it up) because there was just way too much. A little goes a very long way.
Second, the vegan formula is packed with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, antioxidants, nourishing squalane and jojoba seed oil, so it hydrates as it evens your skin tone, which I appreciate. However, the first couple of times I applied it on top of my super-moisturized skin—I used serum and a lightweight moisturizer—it did pill ever so slightly on my jawline and cheeks. I tried it again with just a moisturizer underneath and it blended in seamlessly with no pilling, so I guess that’s the trick for me!
Third, the coverage is medium, but definitely buildable—if you want full coverage, you can easily achieve that with a second layer—and lets me hide all my redness and large pores while still letting my natural skin show through. The finish is more satin than dewy (though I do glow!), and it stays on all day, even when my skin is on the oilier side. And lastly, the packaging is refillable, which I applaud.
Key Ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, jojoba seed oil and olive-derived squalane
What It’s Free From:
Parbens and sulfates
How to Use It:
As I mentioned above, a little goes a long way, so start with less than you think you’d need and build up depending on the coverage you want. I like to apply it with a foundation brush, but you can also use a sponge, or even your fingers. I’m shade 7N, a light-to-medium with neutral undertones, which is pictured on the left below (6N is on the right, which was too light for me).
What It Feels Like:
A silky, liquidy foundation. It’s called a serum foundation, and that’s a perfect description: If you were to mix your serum into your foundation, it would feel like this.
The Bottom Line:
Since the pandemic forced us into WFH routines, I’m not really one to wear a full face of liquid foundation these days, but when I do, this is definitely one I’ll consider. I love that it cares for your skin as it color-corrects and conceals, and gives you that “your skin but better” finish—nothing heavy or cakey here!
