...So we'll tell you how to pinpoint the perfect foundation for you and how to apply it so you avoid those hideous tell-tale tidemarks and looking like you've been Tangoed.
Laying foundations: How to find the perfect shade for you
If you're young and your skin doesn't break out that often, then you really shouldn't need a foundation. Make the most of your youthful complexion by enhancing it with a slick of cream blush or a sweeping of bronzing powder. If, however, you need to cover up imperfections and blemishes or even-out a patchy skintone, then it is worth investing in a foundation. For fabulous, picture-perfect skin you need a base that's right for your skin type – ie, sallow, pale, etc – but sadly, this small but very important detail seems to escape a lot of women, who insist on wearing foundation that's either too dark, too heavy or looks like they've slicked on a lot of old-fashioned panstick. As a result their faces end up looking caked and mask-like instead of smooth and flawless.
If you take the time to carry out a little research you'll not only find the perfect product, you'll also look a lot better. You can start by visiting your favourite department store and trying out different types of foundation. Prescriptives is particularly good, as a shade can be custom-blended for you, and although the bespoke service is a little more costly than most, it's worth it, as once you've found your perfect shade, it'll be kept on record for you and you'll avoid making any more expensive mistakes. Other brands carrying an impressive array of foundations and consultation services include Bobbi Brown, Clarins, Estée Lauder and Clinique.
Top tips for your make-up mission
Make sure your skin is cleansed so you can get a good idea of what will look best on your skin. Have a little mirror tucked into your handbag so you can check what your foundation looks like once you're in natural daylight. You'll know when you've found the right one, as it will simply disappear into the skin and not sit on it. Traditionally, our mums and grannies would slick a little foundation on the back of their hand to judge whether a shade was right for them, but, in fact, the best place to try out a colour if you don't want to put it on your jaw line, chin or forehead is on the inside of your forearm, as this best matches the tone of your complexion. Remember that you'll need a slightly darker colour for the summer months and a warmer tone for the winter, but avoid pinky-beige tones, as these do not look natural – you're better off going for yellow tones. Always purchase your foundation 'in season' so you can judge how it will look on sunkissed or pale skin, etc, more accurately. If you want your foundation to appear a little more sheer, simply sweep over a dab of moisturiser on top. For extra glow, work in a tiny amount of bronzing gel over your foundation.
Complexions and consistency - what style of foundation will suit you best?
Pale and interesting – the last thing you want is to end up looking like a ghost, and if you've got milky-white skin this could happen if you don't choose the right foundation. You want something light and natural-looking that will enhance your best bits – not obliterate them completely. You could either go for Bobbi Brown's classic Foundation Stick (£24) or a sheer liquid foundation such as Chanel's Vitalumière Satin Smoothing Fluid Make-Up (£22). Guerlain's Fleur de Teint Moisturising Foundation (£24, 01932 233 909) and Chantecaille's Real Skin (£42, 0207 730 1234) are also worth checking out. If you want a really natural finish, then apply these with your fingertips.
Smooth operators – If you suffer from patchy skin then you'll need a product that will effortlessly even-out your skin's imperfections and give you a flawless finish. Leading make-up artists swear that the only way to do this is with a foundation brush, such as Bobbi Brown's (£25) or Giorgio Armani's Blending Brush (£25) and a liquid formulation, which guarantees a more even application. Apply your product in a downwards, sweeping movement for the best results. Brilliant complexion-transforming foundations include: Prescriptives Flawless Skin (£27.50), Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra (£24) and YSL's Radiance Smoothing Foundation (£26.50).
Well oiled – Traditionally, pressed powder, applied after a foundation, has been the best way to stop shine, but it always ends up making your skin look dull and lifeless. Luckily, nowadays there are some great coverage combos that control shine but also give you naturally gorgeous, picture-perfect skin. Rimmel's Stay Matte Foundation (£4.99) is a great budget buy, as is Maybelline's New York Dream Mousse Foundation (£5.99), but if you've got the cash to splash then SK-II's Power Signs Treatment Foundation (£65) is a miracle worker, thanks to its precious Pietra ingredient, which also keeps skin looking younger.
Ten years younger – If you've got a few lines and wrinkles, the last thing you want to do is up the ante on the amount of foundation you apply, as it will look fake and caked. Instead, go for products that contain light-reflecting particles, as these will take the emphasis off any imperfections or lines – they also flatter every skintone, no matter how old or young. You also need something that will give off a dewy finish, thus making your complexion appear fresher and younger. Shiseido's Lifting Foundation (£28) boasts hyaluronic acid, which magically makes laughter lines and crow's feet 'disappear'. Dior's Diorskin Sculpt Line Smoothing Lifting Make-up SPF20 (£26) is also great for more mature skin, as it claims to 'resculpt facial contours' and generally smoothes out your complexion.
Application form - How to apply your foundation correctly
Always apply foundation to skin that has been moisturised, so it simply sinks in. Blending is essential and is best done with either a slightly damp make-up sponge or your fingertips. Always look in a large mirror when you're applying your foundation - you need to see the overall picture, not just a fraction of it – in order to get the best results. If you want your foundation to go the distance, then apply it with a damp sponge, but put it on sparingly otherwise the sponge will soak up too much product. For hard-to-reach areas use a wedge-shaped sponge. You should also make sure that you gently blend in foundation under the jaw line, around the hairline and on your neck, as the last thing you want your face to look like is a shiny bright beacon on a milky-white stick.
