Makeup Artist Liz Hyun shares her secret to a foolproof foundation base with the new Maybelline Lifter Foundation and Concealer
Word on the block is that Maybelline’s new Lifter foundation and concealer duo are the ultimate combination for a foolproof base. Tessa Patrick spoke with makeup artist Liz Hyun to find out exactly what makes it so good.
When you first tried the Lifter Foundation and Concealer, what was your immediate impression of the finish on bare skin?
It looked fresh and natural on bare skin with a smooth, soft glow. The foundation feels like a serum going on, thanks to the skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in the formula. Both the foundation and concealer don’t cling to textures on the skin, blend easily, and the coverage is flexible for that undetectable makeup look. The promise is ‘plump and glow’—how does that translate in real life, especially in natural daylight? To me ‘plump and glow’ means skin that looks hydrated, smooth, and naturally radiant in daylight—not shiny or glittery. Skin texture looks refined, and light reflects subtly off high points of the face. It should feel fresh and healthy, like great skin.
Walk us through exactly how you’d apply the foundation for a fresh, everyday base. What tools are you reaching for?
For foundations that have a glowy finish like the Lifter Plump & Glow, I would recommend using brushes that are dense and firm, such as a buffing foundation brush. A buffing brush gives you a really controlled application, similar to using your fingers, except it’s non-streaky. It helps press the product into the skin rather than just sweeping it around, so you can build seamless coverage exactly where you want it. It won’t overload the areas of the face that don’t require too much product.
The formula is lightweight but buildable—how would you customise coverage depending on the occasion?
I adjust coverage by layering strategically. For a lighter everyday look, I use one pump to sheer it out with my favourite moisturiser for a natural finish. For events or shoots, I use between 1-2 pumps to build thin layers where needed and add targeted concealer for extra perfection.
For readers who struggle with under-eye creasing or dryness, how would you apply this concealer differently?
Excessive product is one of the culprits behind concealer creasing under the eyes. My favourite artistry tip is to sheer out the concealer by mixing a small amount of your favourite eye cream before applying.
These formulas are packed with skincare ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine and peptides. From your perspective, do those ingredients genuinely make a visible difference?
Makeup innovation has come a long way over the years and people have more knowledge when it comes to looking after the skin. I love that products are formulated with skincare ingredients, that benefits the skin as well as give you that flawless makeup look. Makeup that includes skincare has now become a standard.
Do you see makeup-skincare hybrids like this replacing traditional base products, or is there still a place for classic full-coverage formulas?
There will always be a place for both. When it comes to choosing foundations, I treat it like choosing an outfit. Our choices depend on our moods, occasions, weather and how our skin is feeling on the day. It’s nice to stay adaptable and have a couple you can mix. Such as the Lifter Plump & Glow for those light makeup days and something that is a fuller coverage for an evening look. You can even layer different foundations on top of each other. There are no rules when it comes to makeup!
So for oilier or combination skin—does the glow still hold up?
It absolutely does. For oilier or combination skin, I adjust the skin prep. Lighter hydration, oil-controlling primer where needed and I’ll set the T-zone with powder to control excess shine while leaving the high points radiant, so the glow still looks fresh, not greasy, all day.
The ‘no-makeup makeup’ look is still dominating. How would you use Lifter Concealer to achieve believable, undone skin?
For believable, undone skin, I use Lifter Serum Concealer as a targeted concealer. Applying minimal product only where I need it, like under the eyes or around redness. I blend seamlessly with a rounded dome-shaped concealer brush for a skin-like finish, keeping coverage sheer so real texture shows through.
If a Remix reader picked this up tomorrow, what’s the one tip you’d give them to get the best result?
Utilise the online shade matcher tool on the Maybelline website. If you enter the details of your favourite concealer/foundation brand, name and shade, it will give you the closest shade in the Lifter Serum concealer and the Lifter Plump & Glow foundation.
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