4 of Our Editors Tested Kosas’ Viral Foundation To See If It Lives Up to the Hype—Here Are Their Honest Thoughts
Kosas's ethos has always been simple: Your skin, but better. This sentiment is at the core of every product the brand puts out, at that includes the "Revealer Concealer" that launched back in 2020 with complexion-friendly ingredients and a never-cakey finish. Users loved the formula so much that it went viral and they started using it all over their faces, which prompted founder Sheena Yaitanes to realize that she needed to translate those same benefits into a foundation.
"I wanted to create the dream foundation—something that just instantly blends in, looks like a second skin, blurs, smooths, minimizes pores, and does it all while being super comfy and not looking cakey," says Yaitanes. "Similar to our concealer, I wanted to get away from the idea of fixing or covering something that's wrong, and instead think of makeup as an opportunity to reveal your best and brightest skin."
The Kosas Revealer Foundation ($42) is available in 36 gorgeous shades and, in true Kosas fashion, includes a host of good-for-your-skin ingredients. First up is zinc oxide to provide physical SPF 25 protection. It's below the derm-recommended minimum of SPF 30, so it's not meant to replace your daily sunscreen, but helps to provide an extra boost of defense on top of what you're already using.
In addition to pigments, which instantly even your complexion, the foundation's got niacinamide and caffeine working behind the scenes to visibly brighten, smooth, and even skin tone over time. Squalane, arnica, and vitamin B5 soothe and calm skin while balancing oil and moisture levels, and peptides and hyaluronic acid visibly plump, firm, and hydrate the skin.
Although the formula is lightweight, it's very much a foundation and not a skin tint, meaning you can truly see a difference in your skin's appearance when you apply it. It provides medium coverage in a natural finish that doesn't leave your skin feeling dry or too dewy—it simply melts in to feel like you're not wearing anything at all. Yaitanes says there's no right way to apply the formula. Use a sponge, brush, your fingers—whatever method you like.
What four W+G staffers thought about the foundation
Kara, Medium Deep Neutral Olive 360
Most days, the only complexion product I'll use is a bit of the Revealer Concealer ($28) under my eyes and on the high points of my face, so having a Revealer foundation to play with was extremely exciting. It did not disappoint. I love that it feels light and breathable on my skin while providing good coverage. The neutral undertones of the foundation paired with the lightweight formula make my skin tone look more even while allowing my golden undertones to shine through. It allows me to feel a bit more pulled-together without feeling the weight of makeup on my skin. Some of my acne spots still show through, and I don't mind that. I have dry skin and find that it leaves my skin feeling good when I pair this with my usual hydrating routine.
Natalie, Light Medium Neutral Olive 210
"I'm a foundation newbie—one who applied this foundation with her fingers—so my thoughts come from a 100-level perspective," says lifestyle writer Natalie Arroyo-Camacho, who describes her skin type as unreactive with an oily t-zone. "What I liked about this foundation: it has a super-star ingredient list, including SPF, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and niacinamide, which can help reduce the appearance of pores; it provides pretty good coverage of facial scars I have; it's not cakey. What I didn't like: even though there are hydrating ingredients, there isn't much in terms of moisture. Also, because of the SPF, this foundation has more of a sunscreen smell. I don't mind it, but it's worth knowing if you might."
Betty, Light Medium Neutral Warm 190
"I love this foundation formulation so much," says senior food editor Betty Gold. "I'm used to having to reapply (ugh) because many of the foundations I'm accustomed to using are much thinner and runnier, but Kosas' provided a significant amount of coverage that lasted an entire day (including running around outside in New York City with a dog). I loved that it made my skin look dewy and moisturized, which is certainly saying something considering how dry my face has felt this winter. It went on evenly when I used my hands to apply, but I'd be curious to try it out with a brush or beauty blender." Gold adds that she has super sensitive combination skin prone to redness, and this foundation covered her redness with ease.
Gina, Very Light Neutral 100
"I have large pores, so it's hard finding a foundation that doesn't awkwardly 'settle in' and make my coverage look weird and splotchy," says senior commerce editor Gina Vaynshteyn. "And as far as complexion goes, I have oily-combo skin that's prone to breakouts, so I have to be cautious about the ingredients in my skin care. Fingers crossed, I tried Kosas new Revealer foundation, and I love it. I chose 'Very Light Neutral 100,' which matched my face (and neck) perfectly. The formula is ultra-lightweight and provides medium coverage that's easily buildable without caking. Best of all? No awkward pore settling. I also love that this foundation leaves my skin looking dewy and healthy—like my skin, but enhanced. Brownie points for the 25 SPF!"
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