My-Skin-But-Better: By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Foundation

Foundations with in-built brushes: yay or nay?

I’ve always been firmly in the nay camp. Sure, they’re convenient, but those brush heads get dirty so quickly, and they’re impossible to clean. Just think of all the germs and gunk that end up on our faces every time we swipe them on. Ewww!

Not with By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Foundation. This baby has a detachable brush that piqued my curiosity enough to try it. Here’s how it fared:

What’s In By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Illuminating Liquid Foundation?

SILICONES

There’s a reason why foundations are usually silicones-based. Silicones create the perfect makeup base.

For starters, silicones fill in all nooks and crannies in your skin: they blur out the look of large pores, fill in fine lines and wrinkles so they look smaller, and smooth out the skin’s surface so that when the light hits, they don’t look so obvious.

Plus, they give slip to a product and make skin silky smooth to the touch. Without giving you pimples or suffocating your skin.

Silicones have a particular molecular structure made up of big molecules with wide gaps in between. Your skin can still perspire through these gaps.

Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin (Find Out What Science Says!)

MICA

Mica comes from the Latin word “micare,” i.e. “to shine.” Today, it earned the nickname of “nature’s glitter.” Guess why?

Mica gives makeup sparkle and shine.

This foundation doesn’t contain any obvious glitter (phew!), but you’ve still got mica to thank for that illuminating, dewy finish.

Related: Mica In Skincare: What It Is And How Does It Benefit Skin?

Texture

Lightweight, almost airy. It really feels like you have absolutely nothing on.

Pigmentation

Sheer, but buildable. Click once for a sheer, luminous finish. Twice for a more intense, almost medium coverage. Neither covers serious imperfections, like heavy dark circles or breakouts, though. I need a concealer for that.

Staying Power

It lasts around 8 hours on my combination (more dry than oily) skin.

Fragrance

It smells of roses. Light and delicate, it fades quickly, but makes application that little bit more pleasant.

How To Use It

Click the bottom to release the right amount of formula onto the angled kabuki brush. Apply on your skin and then blend in circular motions working from the centre of the face outwards. 

Performance & Personal Opinion

The foundation comes with a slanted kabuki that makes it easy to follow the contours of your face. The bristles are super soft to the touch, but firm enough to blend everything seamlessly.

If you have time, that is. When I really take the time to work it in, I get a flawless, streak-free application. When I’m in a rush, I’ll just brush it on, and use a sponge, or even just my fingers, to blend it in.

The way the product is dispensed makes application easier too. Rather than appearing in one huge dollop in the center, four little drops appear every time you give the foundation a click. This way, foundation is more easily distributed all over the face. Handy, isn’t it?

By Terry Light Expert Click Brush is infused with light prisms and camouflage micro-pigments that reflect the light, helping hide imperfections and brightening up the whole face. It gives me that lovely healthy glow we’re all craving for, but in a very natural way. It’s my skin but better in a tube.

It’s also incredibly versatile. I use it mostly as foundation. I click, place the brush on my face, stroke, dab, and blend it out from the center all over the face. Normal stuff. It evens out my skin and gives it a dewy glow that lasts most of the day. But it doesn’t cover serious imperfections like dark circles or spots.

But you can also use it as highlighter. Just apply it on those areas where the sun naturally hits your face – like your cheekbones, your cupid’s bow, and your forehead – to get that angelic, natural glow.

And it’s great to touch up foundation. When half of it has already disappeared off my face, I don’t have to take the rest off too and do my makeup all over again. I can just apply By Terry Light Expert Click Brush on top of it. It never looks cakey. Best of all, it works with any foundation.

Who Is This For?

Women with good skin who are looking for a sheer, illuminating foundation for that my-skin-but-better look.

Who Is This NOT For?

Anyone with serious skin imperfection like dark circles, acne, or dark spots.

Packaging

The newly improved version of the iconic Light Expert, the foundation now comes with a detachable brush. You can easily unscrew it after every application (ok, I do it after 2 or 3, cos I’m lazy like that) and give it a good wash. Yay for hygiene!

Plus, the slanted kabuki brush is super easy to use and makes application foolproof.

Does By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Illuminating Liquid Foundation Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

£48.00 at Cult Beauty, Feel Unique, and SpaceNK

Do You Need It?

If you’re already got pretty good skin and are looking for a sheer, dewy foundation to enhance it even more, this is an excellent option to consider.

Dupes & Alternatives

• Surrat Surreal Skin Foundation Wand (£62.20)

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.