Sheer skin tints are the calmer cousin of everything above. They do not change color, they simply get out of the way. Tower 28 SunnyDays in 15 Melrose is a mineral SPF 30 tint that the brand says suits sensitive and problem-prone skin. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop in 12 is a few squeezes of blurring, buildable tint. Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint in 6.5 wears like a hydrating serum with peptides and ceramides, while Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint in 7 is a radiant, sheer veil with an Allure Best of Beauty nod. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint in Matira has mineral SPF 40 and niacinamide, and MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip in 3 is a dewy gel with a 12 hour wear claim. DIOR Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint in 2.5N is a tinted moisturizer with buildable coverage, and Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder in 5 is the one for oily days, a balm that finishes matte.

How to wear it: pat a tint on with clean fingers from the center of the face outward, and stop before the edges. Let it set, then add a second layer only where you want more.

What I would skip: a dewy serum tint on a very oily day when you know you will not powder. Reach for the balm powder instead.

Sponges have a good origin story. Around 2003, makeup artist Rea Ann Silva was trimming sponges into a rounded teardrop on the set of the TV show Girlfriends, and that shape became the Beautyblender. The Original Beautyblender in Pink is still the reference, and it pairs well with any of the liquid tints above.

The other sponges come in different shapes. The Rare Beauty Soft Touch sponge has a multi-angled waterdrop shape with a pointed tip for small areas. The Fenty Beauty Precision sponge in 100 has three sides, including a small edge for under the eyes. Patrick Ta Major Skin is a five in one sponge with a bouncy base and a tapered point, and the Tap That Puff sponge adds a loop for grip and works dry or damp.

Brushes do it differently. MAKEUP BY MARIO F4 is a dual ended brush with a large sloped end and a compact end for control. The PRO Foundation Brush number 64 has a flexible head for short strokes and builds breathable coverage. Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush is shaped for the nose and under eyes.

What I would skip: a dry sponge with a thin serum tint, since it drinks the product. Wet it, squeeze it out and bounce.

Decide what you actually want before you shop. If the goal is to neutralize redness, pick the green correctors or the stila swirl. If you want something that adapts to your tone, start with Erborian CC Cream or the Dr. Jart+ drops. If you want your skin to lead, go sheer and use a tint. Match the tool to the texture, a sponge for serums and a brush for creams, and always test in daylight at your jaw. Start with less than you think you need, then build in thin layers. If you like a finished look, press a sponge over the base. If you like to see skin, tap with a finger. Either way, the right shade matters more than any promise on the bottle.