Foundation for flawless skin

Foundation for flawless skin

How to choose the right sheer, medium or full-coverage makeup for your skin type.
Updated:
2009-10-04 21:00
Published:
2007-02-25 00:00
By 
Janine Falcon

The best foundation choices for oily, combination, problem and sensitive skin

Oily skin
"Overall, I advise the 40+ makeup-wearer against wearing full-coverage matte base topped with powder because it'll settle into fine lines and wrinkles and appear masklike," says Aston. Instead, start with an oil-control (mattifying) moisturizer, then, for sheer coverage, apply oil-free liquid, such as Cargo Foundation ($28 at select Bay stores and Sephora) and set it with a light dusting of pressed powder. Or try powder foundation, such as Givenchy MatMate Powder Foundation ($38 at Sephora), which goes on sheer with a brush or delivers full coverage when applied with a slightly damp sponge.

Budget beauty: Clinique Stay-True Makeup Oil-Free Formula liquid foundation ($19.50 at department stores and Sephora) or The Body Shop All-in-One Face Base ($18.50, The Body Shop stores, www.thebodyshop.ca).

Combination skin
"I always use The Body Shop Ultra Smooth Foundation," says Aston. "The liquid-to-powder formula leaves a sheer to medium velvet-matte finish as it moisturizes, yet it keeps excess shine at bay without extra powder." ($21 at The Body Shop; www.thebodyshop.ca). Or try Nars Balanced Foundation ($40 at Holt Renfrew and Sephora). For full coverage, use Chanel Double Perfection Compact ($55 at Chanel counters) applied with a damp sponge.

Budget beauty: Marcelle Matte Finish Makeup liquid foundation ($13.50) or Maybelline New York Wonder Finish liquid foundation ($11.99), both available at drugstores.

Problem skin
"For skin that has the occasional blemish flare-up, or if you need fuller coverage, I recommend a cream-to-powder-based foundation," says Aston. Try Dior DiorSkin Icon Photo Perfect Creme to Powder Makeup ($40 at Holt Renfrew and Sephora) or M.A.C StudioTech foundation ($34). If you have very oily skin, keep M.A.C Blot Powder/Pressed ($24 at M.A.C boutiques, The Bay and www.maccosmetics.com) handy for touch-ups.

Budget beauty: Revlon New Complexion One Step Makeup ($16.95 at drugstores and mass retailers).

Sensitive or reactive skin
Supersensitive or reactive skin? Need to cover a scar, a birthmark or rosacea? For total coverage, try Vichy Laboratories Dermablend Corrective Foundation ($26 at select drugstores) or Avène Couvrance Compact Foundation Cream ($30 at select drugstores). La Roche-Posay Toleraine Corrective Liquid Foundation ($29) will give medium coverage; and Cover FX Natural FX liquid foundation ($35; both at select Shoppers Drug Marts) delivers light to medium coverage.

Yes, great skin is the true foundation of natural-looking beauty. Thanks to cosmetics advancements, there's a wide range of options to help you achieve the look of a flawless complexion. Bonus: Many of today's formulas deliver a range of finishes from sheer to full opacity, so whatever you need, you're covered.



Janine Falcon is Homemakers Magazine's senior Beauty editor.

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