The Best Foundation for You

By InStyle.com
Updated: Oct 22, 2015 @ 4:09 pm
The Best Foundation for You
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Your Strategy in Your 20s

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Except for the occasional breakout, your complexion is in pretty good shape. Go for a sheer, oil-free foundation that lets your skin show through.

Role Models: America Ferrera and Blake Lively.
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Your Routine and Perfect Products

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1. After washing and moisturizing your face, dab an oil absorbing primer (Benefit the Porefessional, $28; at sephora.com) over your T-zone to cut shine and help your makeup last.
2. Choose a noncomedogenic liquid (Neutrogena Skin Clearing oil-free makeup, $12; at shop.neutrogena.com) and use a sponge (Sonia Kashuk non-latex square sponges, $4/2; at target.com), not your fingers, to get formula from the bottle.
3. Use blotting sheets (Paul amp Joe blotting papers, $5/100; at beautyhabit.com) to soak up excess oil without messing up your makeup.

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Your Strategy in Your 30s

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YOUR STRATEGY: With fine lines and damage beginning to creep up on you, it's time to upgrade to a wrinkle-softening cream foundation with more coverage.

Role Models: Rachel McAdams and Katie Holmes
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Your Routine and Perfect Products

Time Inc. Digital Studio
1. Soften the appearance of the tiny creases on your forehead and around your eyes by dabbing on a primer that contains silicone (Nars Skin Smoothing Face Prep, $30; at narscosmetics.com).
2. Using a dampened sponge (Sephora Precision sponge, $12; sephora.com), sweep foundation (Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage foundation, $38; at Ulta) from the middle of your face outward in short strokes.
3. A bit of translucent powder (Sonia Kashuk Barely There loose powder, $9; at target.com) pressed with a puff onto the forehead, nose and chin helps lock cover-up in place.

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Your Strategy in Your 40s

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Almost everyone has some wrinkles and age spots by now. Your newest concern: loss of moisture. Use a medium-coverage liquid foundation to alleviate dryness.

Role Models: Jennifer Aniston and Lucy Liu

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Your Routine and Perfect Products

Time Inc. Digital Studio
1. Neutralize discoloration with a primer that contains color-correcting tints (Stila One Step Correct, $36; at stilacosmetics.com).The green minimizes redness, lavender counteracts ashiness, and peach conceals dark spots.
2. Use a liquid formula (Lancome Teint Miracle foundation, $37; at lancome-usa.com) that polishes like a foundation but offers the hydration of a face cream. Apply it with a brush (MAC 190 foundation brush, $32; at maccosmetics.com).
3. Keep a small jar of moisturizer in your purse to dab on dry patches and keep your foundation looking fresh.
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Your Strategy in Your 50s & Beyond

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Don't make the mistake of wearing less makeup. Applied in delicate layers, foundation can help smooth a crepey texture without looking like plaster.

Role Models:Iman and Michelle Pfeiffer

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Your Routine and Perfect Products

Time Inc. Digital Studio
1. Counter wrinkling and loss of elasticity by using your anti-aging serum (Cle de Peau Beaute Intensive facial contour serum, $160; at neimanmarcus.com) as a primer.
2. Subtle shine helps bring out the contours of the face and conceal lines, so look for a featherweight liquid formula with light-diffusing particles (Clarins Extra Firming foundation, $42; at Saks Fifth Avenue). Use a flat synthetic brush (Lancome foundation brush No. 2, $34; at lancome-usa.com) to help it glide over skin.
3. Keep a powder compact (Burberry Sheer compact foundation, $55; at nordstrom.com) in your purse for quick touch-ups. Just remember to press it on; wiping will remove your makeup.
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