Live Tinted Review: The Shade-Inclusive Brand That Broke the Beauty Mold
Hey beautiful! Today we‘re diving deep into one of the most talked-about makeup and skincare brands of the moment: Live Tinted. Founded by South Asian beauty entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala, Live Tinted has been making waves since 2018 for its innovative, multi-use products designed to embrace all skin tones.
After going viral for color-correcting dark circles with red lipstick, Mutyala translated her passion into an entire brand dedicated to problem-solving beauty for underserved communities. Live Tinted has since expanded from its single hero product (the Huestick) to a full range of essentials for the face, lips and body. The line aims to represent the "every girl" in an industry that has long overlooked diversity.
As someone who‘s tried countless products searching for my perfect match, I was intrigued by Live Tinted‘s shade-inclusive approach. I finally got my hands on a few of the bestsellers, and spoiler alert: they did not disappoint! Keep reading for my honest thoughts on the formulas, wearability, and mission behind the brand everyone‘s buzzing about.
What Makes Live Tinted Different?
Two words: representation matters. The beauty industry has notoriously catered to a narrow view of the "ideal" customer, often leaving people of color out of marketing campaigns, product development, and shade ranges. A 2016 study found that only 29% of foundation ranges had options for dark skin tones.
Live Tinted is part of a new wave of brands trying to change that. Its mission is to disrupt traditional beauty standards and celebrate all hues, especially tan to deep complexions. Mutyala sees Live Tinted as more than a product line – it‘s a platform to amplify diversity and empower others to take up space.
"Beauty has always felt very exclusive. Like you have to look a certain way, or be a certain ethnicity. I wanted to create a brand that challenges those norms and makes everyone feel seen, heard and included." – Deepica Mutyala, via Glamour
In addition to inclusive campaigns on the @livetinted Instagram, the brand makes regular donations to non-profits supporting women of color. When you shop Live Tinted, you‘re not just investing in your routine – you‘re championing a movement for a more equitable future.
The Products
Now let‘s get into the good stuff: the actual products. Live Tinted‘s lineup focuses on multi-tasking essentials that streamline your beauty routine while delivering major results. Everything is vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with nourishing ingredients to enhance your natural beauty.
Huestick Multistick
The product that started it all, the Huestick is the ultimate multitasker for eyes, lips and face. This creamy color-corrector neutralizes dark spots, brightens under eyes, and adds a healthy flush to cheeks and lips. It comes in 6 flexible shades that adapt to a variety of skin tones:
| Shade | Undertone | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Rise | Peach | Light to Medium |
| Origin | Orange | Medium to Tan |
| Dawn | Red | Tan to Deep |
| Grounded | Bronzy Brown | Medium to Deep |
| Perk | Pink | All Undertones |
| Found | Terracotta | Deep to Rich |
I have light-medium skin and picked up Rise, which has quickly become one of my everyday staples. The formula is so blendable and buildable, providing the perfect wash of color to wake up my complexion. It layers beautifully under foundation or on bare skin for a natural, glowy look.
The Huestick is infused with hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate and plump the skin without settling into fine lines. After a few weeks of consistent use, I‘ve noticed my dark circles and acne scars are significantly less noticeable. It really lives up to its claims of correcting and enhancing in one step!
At $25 for 0.21 oz/ 6 g, the Huestick is pricier than a drugstore concealer. But considering it replaces multiple products in your routine (brightener, corrector, blush, lip tint), I think it‘s well worth the investment. This is the desert island product I never knew I needed.
Huebeam Bronzer + Illuminator
To warm up the complexion, the Huebeam Bronzer + Illuminator is a dual compact with the most gorgeous, sun-kissed glow. One side has a buildable matte bronzer, while the other has a shimmery champagne highlighter. It comes in 2 shade duos to compliment light to deep skin:
| Shade | Bronzer | Highlighter |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon | Light Brown | Pale Gold |
| Heat | Warm Brown | Golden Peach |
Horizon has been my go-to for daily wear. The bronzer blends seamlessly to define my cheekbones and jawline without looking muddy or orange. And wow, the highlighter is stunning! It‘s not glittery at all – just a soft, pearlescent sheen that mimics healthy, luminous skin.
The texture of both powders is silky smooth with zero fallout in the pan. They practically melt into the skin for a naturally radiant finish that lasts all day (even on my oily T-zone). I also love tapping the highlighter on the inner corners of my eyes and cupid‘s bow for extra pop.
At $34, Huebeam is on par with other high-end bronzers like Benefit Hoola and NARS Laguna. The sleek rose gold compact feels luxurious and includes a mirror for on-the-go touch ups. If you‘re a bronzer fiend or just want an effortless glow, this duo is a must-have.
Hueguard Mineral SPF 30 Moisturizer Primer
We all know wearing daily sunscreen is essential, but the white cast and pilling of many formulas can be a challenge – especially on deeper skin tones. Enter: Hueguard. This 3-in-1 mineral SPF acts as a moisturizer and makeup primer while providing broad spectrum protection.
The non-nano zinc oxide formula is lightweight and truly invisible on my light-medium skin. It dries down to a natural, skin-like finish with zero chalkiness or heaviness. I love that it creates a smooth base for foundation without extra oil or silicone-y slippage.
While Hueguard is hydrating enough for my normal-dry skin, very dry or dehydrated types may want to layer a separate moisturizer underneath. The tube is also quite small at 0.67 oz, so you‘ll go through it quickly with daily use. But a little goes a long way, and it‘s hard to find such an elegant mineral sunscreen for deeper complexions.
Mutyala created Hueguard to make sun protection feel easily accessible for all – because yes, people of color need SPF too! Only 25% of Latinx and 9% of Black adults use sunscreen regularly, compared to 35% of white adults. Hueguard‘s subtle tint and skincare benefits aim to reduce the barriers and help everyone build a sun safety habit.
Huewell Deep Hydration Mask
For an intensive moisture boost, the Huewell Deep Hydration Mask is like a tall glass of water for thirsty skin. This rich cream mask is packed with nourishing butters and oils to quench dryness, soothe irritation, and restore suppleness.
I‘ve been reaching for Huewell whenever my skin feels tight, flaky or generally out of whack (which is often with my rosacea-prone complexion). The mask has a decadent whipped texture that coats the skin in a blanket of moisture. I like to apply a thick layer before bed and wake up to baby-soft, bouncy skin in the morning.
Despite being ultra-hydrating, Huewell doesn‘t feel greasy or suffocating on the skin. It absorbs nicely without any tacky residue, making it perfect for daytime use under makeup too. The formula is fragrance-free and hasn‘t caused me any irritation or breakouts.
At $38 for 1.7 oz, Huewell is definitely a skincare splurge. But the generous tub will last ages, and the results are truly spa-level. If you struggle with dryness, dehydration, flaking, or post-breakout healing, this mask is a fantastic weekly treatment to get your skin back on track. Your face will thank you!
The Bottom Line
After thoroughly testing the core Live Tinted collection, I can confidently say this brand is the real deal. The products deliver on their inclusive claims, with thoughtful shade ranges and formulas that enhance a wide variety of complexions. You can feel the care and intention behind every detail, from the packaging to the texture to the finish.
What I love most is how easy Live Tinted makes it to create a polished, natural look. The Huesticks and Huebeam duo are the perfect building blocks for everyday makeup that doesn‘t feel heavy or cakey. They allow your real skin to shine through while providing just enough coverage and color. The Hueguard and Huewell mask are also great additions to simplify your skincare routine.
"I love how flexible yet pigmented the Huesticks are. I can throw one in my bag and use it for concealing, blush, contour and lipstick all in one. It‘s the ultimate no-makeup makeup essential!" – Cherie F., live tinted review
With thousands of positive reviews, Live Tinted has already converted a loyal fanbase. The Huestick alone has over 2,000 5-star ratings, with many calling it their new holy grail. Clearly, the brand is resonating with everyday makeup and skincare lovers searching for products that actually work for their unique needs.
Of course, everyone‘s mileage may vary. The biggest constructive feedback I‘ve seen is some find the Huestick too slippery for very oily skin, or not full coverage enough for severe dark circles. The Hueguard can also feel more like a tinted primer than a true moisturizer if you have dry to very dry skin. But those are minor quibbles for what are overall stellar products.
Ultimately, I believe Live Tinted is 100% worth the hype. The brand goes beyond surface-level shade ranges to reimagine what a truly inclusive beauty company can look like. By focusing on real skin concerns for underserved groups, Live Tinted is giving women of color the representation and product innovation we deserve.
If you‘re curious to experience the brand yourself, I highly recommend starting with the Huestick in your go-to correcting or flush shade. It‘s the perfect entry point to see how transformative multi-use color can be. The $25 price tag is reasonable for the amount of product and versatility you get. Live Tinted also offers mini sizes for $10 if you want to test the waters first.
For sun protection, the Hueguard is a game-changer for anyone who‘s felt victimized by terrible mineral sunscreens. The dewy, undetectable finish works beautifully on tan to rich skin tones. It‘s pricey at $32 for 0.67 oz, but a worthy splurge for the added skincare and priming benefits.
I‘m thrilled to have discovered Live Tinted and will definitely be integrating more of the line into my beauty rotation. The brand just continues to innovate, recently launching face and body bronzing drops, tinted lip balms, and a face mist. I‘m excited to see what else Mutyala and co. dream up to empower beauty lovers of all hues.
Here‘s hoping more of the industry takes notice and follows Live Tinted‘s lead. There‘s still so much room for growth when it comes to serving all shades in an authentic way. But with trendsetters like Live Tinted, I‘m optimistic the future of beauty is looking more colorful than ever.
5/5 stars for Live Tinted! Have you tried this brand yet? Let me know your favorite products in the comments!
