makeup foundations

The core to any woman's makeup is her foundation. What you must decide is exactly what kind of finish do you want - do you want something natural, something matte, something glamorous? Eye shadow and lipstick is important, but your face sets the pallet.

I've used Bare Escentuals foundation for years; what I love about it is that it gives my skin a natural finish and covers without looking like foundation typically looks. You hear them say it on the infomercials, and I've found it to be true - it doesn't look caked on. On top of my foundation I use their Mineral Veil product, and recently started using Mineralize Skinfinish Trio by MAC in the color Smooth Merge. I sweep a large face brush over the entire compact for my entire face, then use a tapered blush brush swept across the middle of the compact for my cheeks.

Together, I've found it gives a natural look with shimmer that can be built upon for going out at night, or to minimize during the day by playing down the eyes and lips, but still having the hint of glamor and sophistication.