Skin-care routines are becoming a bit extensive, don’t you think? It used to just be a three-step process, with a cleanser, toner and moisturizer. These days, however, with facial oils, eye creams, sunscreen and everything else on the market, a beauty regimen can take all day. And that is before you even get to a makeup process. But what if there was a singular product that was part skin-care item, part makeup product? Enter the serum foundation.

Before we get into the serum foundation, let’s take a quick refresher on the benefits of serum itself. Though we’ve already acknowledged that skin-care routines can get quite extensive, serums are actually a fantastic step to bring in, if you haven’t already. “A serum is a lighter product that generally has a high concentration of active ingredients to address specific skin issues,” said Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group.

Serums are made up of smaller molecules that penetrate deep levels of the skin, meaning that they can give you targeted results for specific skin-care concerns, delivering powerful ingredients right where they’re needed. “Vitamin C and antioxidant serums help neutralize environmental damage and address pigment discoloration,” said Dr. Farber. “Retinols can also be found in serums and these are fantastic for anti-aging and boosting collagen.”

So if a skin-care serum can correct color and improve flaws within the skin, imagine the power of a serum foundation, tinted to offer immediate color correction yet formulated with nourishing ingredients to make your skin the best version of itself.

Here’s what you need to know about serum foundations: They are more lightweight than traditional powder or cream foundations. Many would argue that a serum foundation feels more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation. These products will actually feel good on your skin and provide you benefits in the same way any other skincare item can.

But a word to the wise: Don’t go crazy with any serum — tinted or not. These products hold a potent level of ingredients designed to give your face a boost of what it wants, so you want to make sure you’re introducing the right ingredients your skin actually needs.

“The wrong product can be irritating particularly to sensitive skin,” Dr. Farber said. “Just look through the ingredient list to know what you’re using.” And what should you be using? Whether you’re completely sold on the serum foundation or are in the market for an added step in your skin-care routine. Scroll through below to check out some of our favorite formulas. 

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of L’Oreal.

L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation

Infused with SPF 50 for UV protection and anti-aging ingredients that improves imperfections it covers them, it’s no surprise this best-selling serum foundation has a near 5-star rating and over 5K reviews.

Buy: L’Oreal Serum Foundation $11.99

Courtesy of QVC.

Tarte Hydroflex Serum Foundation + Blending Brush

This new foundation-serum hybrid is getting stellar reviews from our discerning beauty editors.

Courtesy of The Ordinary.

The Ordinary Serum Foundation

A foundation with moderate coverage and a lightweight feel, designed with pigments that are treated for a rich, highly-saturated effect.

Courtesy of Perricone MD.

Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum

An anti-aging serum chock-full of DMAE and neuropeptides, with a semi-matte finish and much more coverage than you’d expect. Oh, and it happens to be my personal foundation of all time. 

Buy: Perricone MD Serum Foundation $45+

Courtesy of L’Oreal.

L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Foundation

In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated foundations at the drugstore—frankly, in general. It’s got an all-star lineup of anti-aging ingredients including pro-retinol (which is safe to wear out during the day) and vitamin radiance-boosting vitamin C.

Buy: L’Oreal Visible Lift Foundation $9.86

Courtesy of Ilia.

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation

A weightless serum with a velvety finish that nourishes skin using a potent blend of active botanicals like aloe leaf, rosehip oil and jojoba oil to soothe irritations and tame redness.

Courtesy of Josie Maran Cosmetics.

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

A cruelty-free, paraben-free serum crafted with chameleon pigments to match skin and ingredients designed to smooth and strengthen skin, perfect for all-year-round wear. 

Buy: Josie Maran Serum Foundation $45

Courtesy of Ulta Beauty.

Ulta Beauty Youthful Glow Foundation Drops

This oil and paraben-free formula gives you a subtle sheen that looks radiant and natural — not greasy. The buildable serum foundation allows you to customize your coverage level from light to full.

Courtesy of ILIA.

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

I know ILIA’s on this list twice, but their serum-infused formulas simply perform like magic. This one contains a few all-star actives including niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

I wrote last month about how important your feet and shoes are to your alignment and bone density as well as your ability to reduce or eliminate foot, knee and ankle pain.

One of the things that I always advise people to do is to take things in small manageable steps, and I take that same approach to changing your footwear. If you think of a rigid shoe with a positive heel as an orthopedic cast, taking it off and walking your 5 to 10K steps a day is a little bit like taking off an arm cast and trying to bench press hundreds of times.

If you’re wearing traditional padded walking shoes and try to switch to minimalist footwear in one go, I promise you won’t like it! Switching over slowly will protect you from unnecessary pain and support you in reducing leg and foot pain over time.

Last month I gave you some foot exercises to help you train to make the switch. Here is another video that gives you more exercises, this time for plantar fasciitis. These exercises here are helpful because Plantar fasciitis is oftentimes a result of underutilized, over-stretched feet or worse, flip flops.

Create an expectation that this will be a slow process. Take your time and wear the new shoes for 30 minutes each day for a week. Continue to do your exercises and gradually increase your minimalist shoe time by 15 minutes a day if you can tolerate it.

Now that we have the training out of the way, how are you going to choose a pair of shoes?

Transitional Shoes

If you have been wearing heavily padded sneakers or trainers with a lot of arch support and any amount of toe spring (an upward curve of the toe), I suggest going to a transitional minimalist shoe first.

Altra

I wore a transitional shoe by Altra for 6 months, and it was worth the investment. Altra features a wide toe box and claims that the heel and toe are always the same distance from the ground. The pair of running shoes I had 5 years ago had a bit of toe spring, but maybe that has changed.

The shoes are not as flexible as some of the true barefoot shoes out there, but because Altra offers a variety of cushioning options, I think they are a great choice for someone who has been in highly structured walking or running shoes. They carry many types of shoes and have a shoe finder program to help you find the right pair for you.

Joe Nimble

Joe Nimble is an American company that I am thinking about having my husband try. He still wears traditional running shoes, and we think it is time that he transitions to something with less toe spring and drop. He really doesn’t want to leave the cushion behind.

Joe Nimble makes a shoe that is 10mm thick with lots of science behind their tred and wide toe box. This is a zero drop shoe with no toe spring, but I would not call it barefoot. They carry a broad range of US sizes.

Other Options

Another company is Merrell shoes. They have some shoes that they list as barefoot shoes that I would consider transitional. You can also check New Balance, Camper and Kyori from Skora Shoes.

Minimalist Shoes

There is a great variety of minimalist shoes for walking or running that I would like to share with you. There are even more companies than I can get to in an article, but for the most part these companies ship worldwide. Let’s take a look at them.

Baer Shoes

Baer Shoes is a European company with an expensive price tag. I have heard good things about their quality and the range of products.

Belenka

Belenka shoes describe their footwear as urban sneakers. They also have sandals and boots. This minimalist shoe is described as having a wide toe box and a super flexible sole to give you the feel of the ground below you.

Although I have not seen them in person, the range of available sizes is one of the most inclusive of any barefoot shoe company I have researched. Their sole is 4mm.

Davinci Footwear

Davinci shoes are designed in California and made in Mexico. Their leather shoes and boots are expensive but beautiful.

The Drifter Leather

Drifter Leather shoes have been around for a while and are fairly established in the minimalist shoe world for people who want a custom handmade leather shoe or boot.

Earth Runners

Earth Runners are sandals, but they are designed to be used for more than just walking. People run and hike in them.

Luna Sandals

Luna Sandals are another sandal company that is rugged and secure on your foot. It is designed to be used for walking and running as well as some light sports.

Feelmax Shoes

Feelmax shoes are European and are available in adult and children’s sizes. They are at a good price point. I am not familiar with them but wanted to share everything I have heard of.

Freet Barefoot

Freet barefoot shoes are made in the United Kingdom, but they ship worldwide. I do not know anyone who has tried them yet, but they have an interesting approach with some of their shoes offering what they call 4+1. Basically, there is a separate section for the big toe. They make traditional shoes as well.

Fit Kicks

Fit Kicks are a fun brand that specializes in simple sizes (S, M, L) and a pull-on flexible shoe. They may be a nice around-the-house or casual shoe for people who can wear the general sizing. They also make a slipper that resembles the shoe. The price point is so affordable that maybe you will want one shoe and one slipper!

Gea Soles

Gea Soles are made in Spain by a woman named Esther. Like many other barefoot walking or running enthusiasts, she started making her own shoes after becoming frustrated with what was available. Her shoes are leather and without any type of insole.

If you love direct contact with leather and then the earth, these handmade shoes may be worth it to you. It appears that Esther will work with you on customizing your sizing as she asks for lots of measurements. You truly are getting a shoe made for you. They ship worldwide.

Groundies

Groundies are another English brand that is new to me. They specialize in very stylish walking and casual shoes. They do not come in a big variety of sizes, but they may be just the inspiration you need to try out minimalist shoes. They’re not cheap, but they sure do look good!

Luks Shoes

Luks Shoes are handcrafted in the Czech Republic. They are a good option for people wanting a leather shoe or boot for walking or casual wear that is made in and shipped from Europe. The price point is a little high for most US customers.

Leguano Shoes

Leguano shoes are new to me but everything I have read sounds quite positive. They are from Germany and were created with a technical fabric that is antibacterial.

Lems Shoes

Lems are a shoe that I wear. They have a light insert that true barefoot people remove. I leave it in, as it is very minimal and by some people’s standards not really an arch support or cushion. Lems have walking/running shoes, hiking boots, and casual shoes. My 90-year-old father actually wears them!

Muki Shoes

Muki Shoes are made in Northern Portugal. They have casual shoes for the entire family. They produce their shoes in limited edition batches so size availability will vary a fair amount. Their flexible sole is 3.5mm. The toe box is wide as well.

Paperkrane

Paperkrane is an Australian shoe company whose shoes are made in Vietnam. The two moms who collaborate on their fun designs began with children’s functional shoes and now include adult shoes in their offerings.

Sockwa

Sockwa is a company that began making a glove-like, thin footwear line for beach soccer and volleyball. They also have a casual shoe now as well. I do not know anyone who owns a pair, but I do find them intriguing. If anyone reading this walks on the beach, this shoe company may be for you.

Softstar Shoes

Softstar Shoes have been around for a while, and they make children’s shoes as well as adult shoes. They hand make everything from flats and sandals, to running shoes, to suitable office shoes. I have heard both good and bad about these shoes. I understand they are very comfortable. I have heard some people who were underwhelmed by their durability (athletic shoes) over time.  

Tadeevo

Tadeevo is a Polish shoe making company that handmakes ballet flats and running shoes for women. They have a slightly broader range of men’s shoes available.

Unshoes USA

Unshoes are an American, handmade, minimalist footwear company that started with sandals for hiking and rugged outdoor pursuits. They also feature casual flats.

Vibram

Vibram Five Finger shoes are exactly what the name states. I have a pair of original 5 finger lightweight shoes that look quite a bit like a shoe you might wear at the beach.

They now make 5 finger shoes with significantly more structure to them so that you can have a lace up running shoe that happens to have five toe slots. I enjoy them, but I wear them on 1 or 2 mile walks. I tend to prefer wearing socks when I walk for 5 miles.

Vivo Barefoot

Vivo Barefoot is an established minimalist shoe brand that makes everything from casual shoes to running shoes, to hiking boots and even waterproof winter footwear. They carry kids and adult shoes. The quality is high, and the price reflects it. The shoes ran big back when I tried a pair. Maybe it is time for me to try again.

Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes have been in my closet for many years. I like their price point and they hold up quite well. They now offer more than a running or walking shoe. They have a sandal and a casual shoe, as well as hiking shoes. They are an American-made company that has a lot of positive energy about serving their customers.

Zaqq

Zaqq is a German minimalist shoe company that does not carry a size small enough for my foot, but their models look like they will do the job. They are quite expensive for Americans but may be the right price for anyone whose currency is the Euro.

Tiek and Yosi Samra

Tiek’s and Yosi Samra’s are both ballet flat companies that feature a flexible sole. The Tiek is stiffer than the Yosi Samra. The Tiek is more expensive than Yosi Samra and you can feel it in the materials. But this is not to say that the Yosi Samra is inferior by any means.

The Tiek is hand stitched, the Yosi Samra is not. The Yosi Samra is a bit more cushiony. I have tried both and prefer the Yosi Samra, but I think it is a matter of personal preference. Many people will want to order both and see how each feels on their foot.

I mention both because people have asked me about an alternative to slippers inside the home, and this type of shoe (with a secure back) is a simple alternative to a slip-on for around the house. Finally, Yosi Samra has now ventured into flip flops and slide shoes which I would avoid.

Some Helpful Accessories

There are a number of accessories that can help us transition to minimal shoes as well as deal with the decreasing natural padding in our feet as we age.

Metatarsal pads are designed to support the ball of one’s foot with a bit of specially designed cushioning. The pads can cushion any spot on the ball of your foot that experiences pain in minimal shoes. Many of the pad manufacturers also claim that the pad will help position one’s toes correctly.

Toe spreaders like Correct Toes and Happy Feet socks are easily available online. Toe spreaders help your foot move out of its crunched and compressed form from years of wearing narrow shoes with positive soles.

Take Your Time

I’d like to encourage you to make the switch to minimalist footwear over time, as it will be kinder to your body, and use any of the accessories you might need to make the switch work for you! 

Have you tried any barefoot or transitional shoes? What was your transition like? Are there any brands or types of shoes that you’re excited to try? Let us know!

I have been thinking a lot about the weight gain many people have encountered this past year. I myself fell into some bad habits, gained a few pandemic pounds for a variety of reasons, and had to re-group. The most common cause of weight gain I have seen though, is weight gain caused by stress eating. I spent some time pondering how I and others managed to reduce stress during this time.

Upon Reflection, I Made an Interesting Personal Connection

I have always been a fan of arts and crafts and often have some sort of artsy project going on. But, whoa! I was a full-on crafting machine through those COVID months. I made so many things!

Bad paintings, good paintings, decorated dish towels, loads of handmade journals, embellished glassware, on and on! Much of it was garbage. But I look back and I realize that the end product wasn’t the reason I was creating – these activities really were my stress relievers.

I felt like a kid again. I woke up each day and thought, “What can I make today?” It was very odd, but very fun!

On the heels of my craft bender, I did some research and discovered that there are actually many scientific studies that confirm the link between creativity and stress reduction.

In an Entrepreneur magazine article titled “Science Shows How Creativity Can Reduce Stress,” Deepak Chopra and Kabir Sehgal state:

“Creativity induces positive health effects, including on the heart. In a recent study, researchers provided almost forty people with art supplies such as markers and paper, and told them to create anything they wanted over a period of 45 minutes. The scientists discovered that no matter the artistic experience of the participants, about 75 percent experienced a decrease in their levels of cortisol, a hormone that the body secretes to respond to stress.”

Even just looking at art can improve your well-being according to a study that showed that “the presence of visual art in hospitals contributes to health outcomes by improving patient satisfaction as an extended form of health care.”

As a health coach, I spend a good portion of my time helping people with emotional eating. The emotions most of my clients are trying to relieve with food are stress related, including worry and fear.

Why Does Creativity Work So Well to Reduce Stress?

There is a physical reduction in cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone. This is scientifically proven, as discussed above.

I Have an Additional Theory

Stress and worry only happen when we are regretting or fretting over the past OR when we are dreading or worried about the future. I think when we are involved with a creative project of any kind, we are forced into the NOW. Now is not where worry is. Worry only occurs when we are dwelling in the past or the future.

When I was obsessively creating during those stressful days, it felt like pure joy. Hours would pass and I wouldn’t even realize it. And believe me, it was not because I was creating anything great. I created some of the most hideous “art” you have ever seen. (I wish I had saved them to show you, but I threw them in the trash and didn’t feel bad about it at all.)

Looking back on it, I was doing many interesting crafts, but what I wasn’t doing during all those hours of making stuff, was snacking away my stress. I was in the moment, in the now.

I Am No Artist!

You might be thinking that this won’t work for you because you are not artistic. I love this quote from an article titled “Study Says Making Art Reduces Stress, Even If You Kind Of Suck At It.” They said, “Making art is actually, factually, good for the body, mind and soul. Even if said art resembles the deranged scribbles of a grumpy toddler.” 

Do Your Thing – From the Easel to the Kitchen

I believe that you can get the same benefits from all kinds of creative activities. Gardening, cooking, setting a pretty table, putting together great outfits, decorating your home, planning activities or trips, taking photos or making scrapbooks, writing, or creating music – they are all forms of creativity. The list really is endless. Anything that gets you inspired and lost in the activity will work.

I hope this gets you thinking about following your creative desires no matter what they are, or how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ you are at them. It might be the most fun you can have while also improving your health.

If you need a little nudge to get your creativity flowing, you can get Robin’s free guide to an easy art project: “Stress Reducing Art Project.” It is designed to help with stress and emotional eating.

Have you found yourself lost in an activity, unaware of time? Have you forgotten that it’s fun to make stuff, even if the result is not great? What are your creative outlets? Are you doing them regularly? Please share with the women in our community!

Congrats are in order for Lana Condor! During Sunday night’s MTV Movie & TV Awards, she accepted the award for Best Movie for To All the Boys: Always and Forever. Author Jenny Han and producer Matt Kaplan joined her on stage. Condor looked gorgeous in a waist-length ponytail and a long-sleeved gown, as did Han in a floral babydoll dress. “You’ve shown so much love for Lara Jean. Thank you so much for that—and I ask that you keep showing that love for the Asian-American community at large,” she said on stage.

Condor looked more gorgeous than ever in a sparkly Giorgio Armani gown. Melissa Hernandez did her glam using Neutrogena makeup (yay for drugstore glam!) and Kat Thompson did her hair with OGX and Neutrogena hair products. “Lana’s look tonight was inspired by her Giorgio Armani dress. It is long, dramatic, and covered in black sequins and beading, so we wanted her hair to emulate the chicness of her dress, while still looking fierce,” Thompson said in a statement.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Source: Instagram

Thompson prepped Condor’s hair with Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Scalp Scrub ($8.74 at Walmart), as well as the brand’s Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Shampoo ($8.74 at Walmart) and Conditioner ($8.74 at Walmart). To create that ultra-smooth pony, she used OGX Frizz Free + Keratin
Smoothing Oil Miracle Gloss Smoothing Spray ($8.99 at Ulta) before blowing out Condor’s hair straight. She then pulled the front half of her hair (ear to crown) up and secured it tightly with an elastic.

To smooth flyaways, Thompson used OGX Smoothing + Shea Sleek Humidity Blocking Hairspray ($11.48 at Amazon). She finished by covering the elastic with a small section of hair.

Source: Instagram

Now, we can’t forget Condor’s nails because if you didn’t get a good look, now’s your chance. Nail artist Thuy Nguyen gave Condor sparkly black talons with OPI GelColor.

Source: Instagram

What a night!

I stand on my head because I can. Every time I turn myself upside down I find my balance – literally and figuratively.

That’s when I take center stage in my life. That’s when I’m living my experience in the present with full consciousness and intention.

I have a disclosure to make: I’m a yoga and meditation teacher so standing on my head is my business as well as my passion.

However, turning myself upside down is also the way I forge my life, leave my comfort zone and do something that scares me. It seems paradoxical, but living with uncertainty has some positive benefits.

Dr. Brene Brown has spoken and written extensively about “daring greatly” in life. In fact, that is the name of her best selling book – Daring Greatly. She has a profound understanding about how to meet your fears with courage. She suggests walking past uncertainty by letting go of self-interests. This is a certain path to increased happiness and well-being.

When you choose to leave your comfort zone, there is always some degree of fear. However, some degree of fear is healthy to stimulate action.

Don’t forget that fear is also your body’s built-in defense mechanism that keeps you safe from harm. Everyone handles fear differently but momentum and control are the two most important twin engines that grow and transform your life.

Here are 5 simple ways to leave your comfort zone and push through fear when your literal world turns upside down.

Leave Your Comfort Zone by Moving in Increments

Whenever you leave your comfort zone, the first response is to try to get away from a possibly fearful situation. It’s human nature. Rarely does someone go full force into a situation that is strange or scary.

When pushing through fear, it is beneficial to move forward with one or two small intentions. Write the intention(s) down or say it out loud. Remember that you need only to hold onto the intention for today; you don’t need to make this intention part of your life forever. This requires a lot of patience, practice and perseverance.

Remember that repetition is the key to mastery. Be kind to yourself and know that there is no such thing as failure. There are only opportunities.

Leave Your Comfort Zone and be Comfortable with Your Vulnerability

To be vulnerable is to be openly emotional honest. And sometimes that’s a scary place to be because you may be subject to ridicule, criticism or indifference. When you are hurt, you put up defensive barriers. However, if you are able to identify your feelings consciously, you might find that acknowledging your vulnerability will open you up to new and exciting ideas that help you push through fear.

Leave Your Comfort Zone and Let Go of Distractions

When your life appears to be controlled by various distractions, it is fairly certain that you will never leave your comfort zone or push through the fears. These counter-intuitive distractions get in the way of abundance, fulfillment, balance, energy and direction.

Consider the piles of electronic gadgets, the people, places and things in your environment that get in the way of your happiness, and the mindless messages from the culture that clutter the mind, confuse you, overwhelm you and stop you from making great decisions instead of meeting dead ends.

Leave Your Comfort Zone and Embrace Change

No one likes change and that’s the reason most people stay confidently in their comfort zone. You don’t have to extend yourself, reach out, take a risk, make a mistake or act on a new idea. Your fears are protected by your resistance. Resistance sits on your shoulder waiting to say No. This is a prescription for not excelling, growing or transforming your life. Make daily intentions to defeat resistance. The easier you adapt to change, the happier your life.

Leave Your Comfort Zone and Give Up Your Crutches

Abu Said, a famous 14^th Sufi poet in the Persian Empire wrote:

Take one step away from yourself – and lo behold! – the path.

This Sufi poet is advising you to get out of the way of yourself so you can see your life more clearly with confidence instead of walking on crutches.

I call this the 10% solution. In order to leave your comfort zone and push through your fears, detach 10% from the situation that causes you discomfort. Usually, you are 100% emotionally invested and you lose objectives, distort perspective, or miss the obvious benefits or drawbacks. Take away the crutches and see what happens.

I want to offer you a challenge: You may not feel the need to stand on your head to leave your comfort zone, but be aware of the opportunities and possibilities that encourage you to take risks, make glorious mistakes and plenty of leaps of faith.

What have you done to stretch yourself recently? Have you taken up a new skill or tried something that you were scared of? Please join the conversation.