Indie Lee's New Hints Range Makes "No-Makeup Makeup" 10x Easier To Master

I have an uncanny feeling that Indie Lee can read my mind. Want proof? About a year ago, I wanted to toss my hat in the retinol ring, though I test way too many products to jump straight into prescription-strength concentrations—then the brand launched their gentle Retinol Alternative Cream, plant-powered by rambutan. This winter, I was itching for a gentle makeup remover that wouldn't irritate my skin or make my eyes bleary—like clockwork, my inbox pinged with their skin-soothing Cleansing Balm. 

The new Hints line proudly serves as a bridge between skin care and makeup—a tinted sunscreen serum that provides a whisper of coverage, a color-correcting, mousse-like face cream, and a glow-inducing serum stick. It's skin care with a hint of something extra…get it? 

First up: that aforementioned sunscreen serum, called the Daily SPF Primer. Sunscreen serums tend to layer beautifully under makeup, thanks to their lightweight, spreadable consistency (that's why Indie Lee calls theirs a primer), but they also serve as a skin care/SPF hybrid. 

"They often contain more active ingredients at higher concentrations to address different skin issues," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., previously told mbg about sunscreen serums. Indie Lee's silky new number comes infused with niacinamide to brighten tone and balance oil production, vitamin E oil to strengthen the skin barrier, and allantoin to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. 

Next, we have the Color Balancer—or as I like to call it, my skin-calming hero. Think of it as a moisturizer that instantly nixes discoloration concerns, like inflamed breakouts, rosacea flare-ups, and uneven skin tone. The soothing, cica-infused formula looks moss green in the jar yet quickly neutralizes as you work it into your skin; it has become my most beloved of the three (but more on that later).  

I've been testing the full line for about three weeks, along with mbg's beauty director Alexandra Engler, and let me just say: It's an absolute dream for no-makeup days. 

You know those mornings when you look puffy and inflamed but groan at the thought of tapping on concealer or coating on mascara? (Yes, playing with makeup is part of my job, but sometimes I do crave a fresh face!) After massaging in the SPF primer, tapping the Color Balancer on irritated areas, and swiping the Hydrastick across my cheekbones, forehead, and tip of my nose, I have a dewy, even complexion that looks totally natural—without a stitch of makeup. 

I don't usually love oily sunscreen formulas since they tend to feel heavy on my combination skin. So I'll be honest: The vitamin E oil gave me pause, as it tends to be pretty thick. But rest assured, this serum maintains a thin consistency; it truly feels like applying a protective veil of moisture. 

And the Hydrastick certainly lives up to its name: It immediately quenches dry areas and even provides an instant cooling effect. I also have warm undertones in my skin, so I adore the slight golden tint—it gives my cheekbones the prettiest shine.