Mary Phillips Makeup: m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation Review

Published: February 27, 2026  |  Last Updated: August 4, 2026

The m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation is a buildable, medium-coverage serum foundation by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, designed to give skin a natural, second-skin finish without looking like you are wearing makeup at all. I have worn shade 110N almost every day since February 2026.

Short answer: it works best if you want light-to-medium coverage with a glowy, natural finish. It layers without caking and feels like skincare on the skin. It is not the pick if you need full coverage or have very oily skin and hate shine. Below: whether it is water or silicone based, the full ingredient list, every undertone in the shade range, dupes, and where to buy it internationally.

Who Is Mary Phillips and Why Does Her Makeup Line Matter?

If you have ever looked at Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, or Zoë Kravitz on a red carpet and thought, “How does her skin look like that?” the answer is usually Mary Phillips. She is the celebrity makeup artist behind the “underpainting” technique, which is basically a way of sculpting the face with cream contour and highlight underneath your foundation instead of on top of it. The result is a soft, dimensional glow that looks completely real and never overdone.

Phillips has been making skin look effortlessly perfect for over 20 years. So when she launched her own makeup brand, m.ph, at Sephora in 2024, people paid attention. The line started with her Underpainting Face Palette, The Foundation Brush, Lip Ciggies, and The Overliner Pencil. And the most requested product since day one? A foundation. She finally dropped the Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation on February 16, 2026, and it sold out fast.

I have been following Mary Phillips’ work for years. Living in LA, I feel like I see her influence everywhere, from the girls at brunch to the makeup artists on set. When I heard she was dropping a serum foundation, I pre-ordered almost immediately. I picked up shade 110N. Here is everything I found out.

What Is the Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation?

The Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation is m.ph’s first foundation. It is a thin, fluid formula that glides on like a skincare serum instead of a traditional foundation. It is not a skin tint; it actually has real pigment and buildable coverage. But it wears in a way that feels more like moisturizer than makeup.

It comes in 35 shades with a wide range of undertones. Phillips worked with the Black Beauty Roster when developing the shade range, which shows – there is real thought behind the deeper shades, not just a few token options. The foundation is also vegan, cruelty-free, and Clean at Sephora. It retails for $49 at Sephora and on the m.ph website. I break down exactly what is in the formula, and whether it is water or silicone based, in the next two sections.

Is the Le Skin Foundation Water-Based or Silicone-Based?

The m.ph Le Skin foundation is a hybrid, water-based serum foundation that also contains lightweight silicones. Its core is a hydrating water-and-humectant serum (niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin), and a small amount of silicone gives it that signature slip and melt-in glide. It is not oil-based, and it is not silicone-free.

Why this matters in practice: the water-and-humectant base is what makes it feel like skincare and keeps it from looking dry or tight, even on my drier cheeks. The silicones are what let it glide over cream contour and highlight without dragging them around, which is the whole point of Phillips’ underpainting method. If you are silicone-sensitive or specifically hunting for a silicone-free foundation, this is not it – the silicone is doing real work here. But if you just wanted to know whether this is a heavy, oily formula, it is the opposite: it wears light and water-fresh.

What Is Actually in the Le Skin Foundation? Ingredient Breakdown

The Le Skin formula reads more like a serum than a foundation. The four ingredients that actually matter for how it performs are 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, a glycerin-and-panthenol hydration duo, and lightweight silicones for slip. Here is what each one does on the skin.

What you will not find: parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), phthalates, or mineral oils. That combination – skincare actives plus a Clean at Sephora formula – is a big part of why this reads as a treatment foundation rather than just a base.

Is Mary Phillips Le Skin Foundation Cruelty-Free, Clean, and Vegan?

Yes. The m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation is vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated to the Clean at Sephora standard, meaning it is made without parabens, sulfates (SLS and SLES), phthalates, and mineral oils. m.ph does not test on animals, and the foundation contains no animal-derived ingredients.

For a launch foundation, that is a genuinely clean profile – you are getting skincare-grade actives without the ingredients a lot of shoppers now avoid. If you build your whole routine around clean beauty, this one clears the bar. The one caveat worth repeating from the section above: “clean” here does not mean silicone-free, because the formula does use lightweight silicones for slip.

How I Tested It

I have been wearing the Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation in 110N almost every day since I got it in mid-February 2026. I tested it in a few different situations to really understand how it performs:

• Everyday wear in LA: running errands, driving, sitting at coffee shops. Typical winter-in-LA weather, mid-60s, occasional sun, very low humidity.
• A full day outdoors: I wore it to a farmers market and then walked around Silver Lake for about five hours, to see how it held up through movement, light sweat, and direct sun.
• A work event: under lighting for several hours, to see if it looked natural or patchy on camera.
• Alone vs. over underpainting: I wore it both ways for an honest comparison for people who do not own the Underpainting Palette.

I applied it with my fingers, with the m.ph Foundation Brush, and with a damp beauty blender to see which method gave the best finish. My skin type is combination – oily in the T-zone, normal to slightly dry on the cheeks and around the jawline.

Le Skin Shade Range and Swatches by Skin Tone

The Le Skin foundation comes in 35 shades across five undertone families – Cool (C), Neutral (N), Warm (W), Golden (G), and Olive (O) – spanning fair to deep. The number signals depth (lower means lighter) and the letter signals undertone, so 110N is a light-medium neutral. Here is how each depth tier tends to read on skin so you can find your range before you swatch.

What Is Shade 110N and Is It Right for You?

This is the part I have not seen covered well anywhere else – a real breakdown of what 110N actually looks like on skin and how to figure out if it is your shade.

In m.ph’s system the number indicates depth and the letter indicates undertone. So 110N means light-to-medium depth with a neutral undertone. The “N” shades have no strong pull toward yellow, pink, or peach – they sit right in the middle, which makes them incredibly versatile and easy to blend seamlessly into the skin.

In my case, I have medium skin with neutral undertones. My shade in other brands is usually MAC N4 to N5, NARS Deauville or Barcelona, or Armani Luminous Silk 5. So 110N lines up perfectly with that range. When I put it on, it disappears into my skin – no line at the jaw, no pink or yellow pull, no odd undertone clash. It just looks like my skin, slightly more even and a lot more awake.

Here is a rough guide for who else might fall into the 110N range:

• You are light-medium in depth – not quite fair, but not yet a true medium.
• You look equally good in gold and silver jewelry (a classic sign of neutral undertones).
• Your wrist veins look blue-green, neither clearly blue nor clearly green.
• Foundations often look right in the bottle but pull slightly warm or cool on you.
• Your skin stays relatively consistent year-round, making 110N a reliable all-season shade.

If you are between shades, m.ph recommends going slightly lighter and building up rather than going darker. That tracks with how this formula performs – it is much easier to add than to take away.

How Do You Apply the Le Skin Foundation Step by Step?

1. 1
   Start with prepped skin. Lightweight moisturizer first, 2 minutes to absorb. A gel-cream like Tatcha Water Cream pairs beautifully underneath.
2. 2
   One pump on the back of your hand. One for light coverage, two for fuller across the face.
3. 3
   Dot it on in small amounts. Forehead, cheeks, nose, chin – spread the product before blending.
4. 4
   Blend with fingers first, then the m.ph brush. Fingers warm and melt the product in; the fluffy brush gives the final smoothing pass and keeps the finish light.
5. 5
   Build in thin layers. Let the first layer sit 30 seconds before adding more. It layers without caking – even 3 layers on a blemish still looked like skin.
6. 6
   Set only where you need it. Light setting powder on the T-zone for combo/oily. Dry skin can skip powder entirely.

Can You Use It Without the Underpainting Technique?

Yes, absolutely. And this matters because a lot of the reviews out there only talk about how the foundation works over the Underpainting Palette. Not everyone has it or wants to use it, and this foundation stands completely on its own.

I wore it without underpainting almost every day. On its own, it evens out my skin tone, smooths over texture, and gives me a fresh, lit-from-within look – somewhere between a really good tinted moisturizer and a traditional foundation. If your skin is already in decent shape, you can get a gorgeous result with just this foundation and a bit of concealer on any spots.

When I did pair it with the Underpainting Palette, the result was noticeably more sculpted and dimensional. The foundation sat on top of the cream contour and highlight without pulling it around or muddying the colors. That is the magic of the silicones in this formula. So if you do not own the palette, you can fake the effect with any cream contour and highlight underneath and this foundation on top.

Is It Good for Acne-Prone, Mature, or Dry Skin?

It depends on your skin type, but for most people it performs well. For dry and mature skin it is excellent – the hyaluronic acid and glycerin keep it from clinging or settling into fine lines. For acne-prone skin it is breathable and lightweight rather than pore-clogging, though m.ph does not market it as officially non-comedogenic, so very break-out-prone skin should patch test.

Dry skin: this is one of the better options in its price range. It stays hydrating all day and does not cling to flaky patches the way heavier foundations do. Moisturize well first and it looks dewy, not dry.

Mature skin: because it is thin and buildable, it does not cake or sink into fine lines and creases around the eyes and mouth – a common complaint testers have with fuller-coverage foundations. It reads as skin, which tends to look more youthful than a heavy matte base.

Acne-prone skin: the formula is lightweight and non-greasy, and the 2% niacinamide is actually a plus for blemish-prone skin. It is buildable enough to layer over a spot without caking. That said, it is not oil-controlling – if you are both oily and acne-prone, set the T-zone with powder, and patch test since it is not certified non-comedogenic.

What Are the Pros and Cons?

How Does It Compare to NARS, and Are There Any Dupes?

The foundation people compare it to most is the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, and it is the closest prestige match. Both are luminous, skin-like serums in the same price bracket – m.ph is $49, NARS is $52. In testing, the m.ph edges out NARS on that lit-from-within skin look, while NARS wins on shade range (40+ shades vs 35). If you already love NARS Light Reflecting, this will feel familiar and a touch more natural. Here is how it stacks up against the serum foundations it competes with:

Are there any Le Skin foundation dupes?

There is no exact formula dupe – the skincare actives plus that specific melt-in finish are hard to copy. But if you want the same glowy, skin-like effect for less, these get you close:

Two more honest options: L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion for a drugstore glowy tint, and, if you specifically want the brush effect, any small fluffy dome foundation brush (the m.ph brush is $30, but a budget dome brush blends this formula almost as well). For the closest prestige experience, the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation above is your pick.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

• Using too much product at once. One pump is genuinely enough to start. Add more only if you need it.
• Skipping moisturizer. This formula rewards hydrated skin. Over dry, dehydrated skin it will cling to flaky patches.
• Using a dense brush. Do not use a flat or stippling brush. The formula is designed to glide and melt in. Use fingers, a fluffy brush, or a damp beauty blender.
• Expecting full coverage. This is medium coverage at best. Use concealer on active blemishes or severe redness.
• Applying over a heavy, greasy primer. Over a silicone primer it can ball up slightly. Stick to a water-based primer or a lightweight moisturizer.
• Not setting it if you have oily skin. Combo/oily skin will want a light T-zone powder by about hour four. This is not a matte foundation.

What Are People Saying on Reddit?

Across beauty threads on Reddit, the consensus on the Le Skin foundation is mostly positive, with a few recurring debates. The praise is consistent: people call the finish the most “skin-like” of any recent luxury foundation and love how comfortable it feels. The pushback centers on price and oily-skin wear. Here are the themes that keep coming up:

• Most loved: the natural, second-skin finish and how it feels like nothing on the face.
• Most debated: whether the $49 price is justified over cheaper glowy serums, and how it holds on oily skin without powder.
• Most asked: shade-matching help – especially the neutral (N) shades like 110N – and whether it oxidizes (it shifts only very slightly).
• My take: the skin-like crowd is right, and setting the T-zone solves the oily-wear complaint. If you want matte all day with zero powder, this is not your foundation.

Where to Buy the Le Skin Foundation (US, UK, Canada & Australia)

In the US, the m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation is sold at Sephora (in stores and online) and directly at mphbeauty.com. It is a Sephora-exclusive brand, so it is not carried at Ulta. Internationally, the most reliable option is ordering from mphbeauty.com, which ships to Canada, the UK, and Australia, and checking your regional Sephora for local stock.

• United States: Sephora (in-store and online) and mphbeauty.com. Not sold at Ulta.
• United Kingdom: mphbeauty.com international shipping; check Sephora UK for regional availability.
• Canada: Sephora Canada where stocked, or mphbeauty.com shipping.
• Australia: mphbeauty.com international shipping; check Sephora Australia.

It sells out quickly when it restocks, so if you see your shade in stock, do not wait.

Who Is This Foundation Actually For?

Le Skin is made for you if you want your skin to look better, not covered. If your goal is to even things out, add a little glow, and still look like yourself, this is a great product. It is ideal for normal, dry, and combination skin who want a luminous, natural finish.

It is probably not the right fit if you have very oily skin and hate any shine, if you need serious full coverage for heavy scarring or pigmentation, or if you prefer a matte finish. In those cases, something like the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation or the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte would serve you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bigger Picture: Mary Phillips Makeup and Real Confidence

Here is what I think is really interesting about Mary Phillips, especially in a city like LA where everything can feel a little performative. Her whole philosophy is that makeup should enhance who you already are, not cover it up. The underpainting technique, and now this foundation, are built around that idea. You sculpt first, then let the foundation sit on top like a filter, not a mask.

When I wear Le Skin in 110N, I do not feel like I am hiding. I feel like the best version of my own skin. There is something genuinely freeing about knowing your foundation looks like skin – you stop worrying about whether it is transferring or looks fake in photos. You just look like you, on a really good day. For a budget lip pick I actually rate, see my Versed lip liner review.

That is what beauty should feel like. Not a disguise, not armor – just a quiet confidence you do not have to explain. Learning what actually works for my skin is what got me there, and that is what Layers of Beauty is always about. If you want to go deeper on glowy skin, see my dewy makeup routine and my no-makeup makeup guide, or my breakdown of the best serum vs traditional foundations.

About the AuthorJasmine Del Toro

I’m Jasmine Del Toro, a Los Angeles-based lifestyle blogger who tests beauty products, wellness trends, and everyday solutions in real life. I have worn the m.ph Le Skin foundation in 110N almost daily since it launched, through LA sun, work events, and long days out. I have been shade-matching foundations for combination, neutral-toned skin for over five years, so I know exactly how a formula performs through a full day of real life. I share what actually works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know before spending your money.

I’m an Amazon Influencer, an Icon-level ShopMy creator, and a brand ambassador for Revolve, Victoria’s Secret, and DoorDash.