Splurge On

Foundation Shopping for foundation in a drugstore is a hit-or-miss proposition since you can't try the product on and have to guess if it will work for you. You should really go to a department or freestanding makeup store where you can test different shades. You'll find a wider range of formulas for specific kinds of coverage, such as full versus sheer, and different skin types, from oily to dry. Try the makeup on your face, near the jawline, and go outside to see how it looks in natural light. If you like what you see, buy it--but you are under no obligation to do so, even if a salesperson helped you.


Powder This seldom looks the same in the package as it does on your face, so buy it where you can test it. Most mass-market powders are translucent and tend to be pink or gray, which can look pasty and masklike. High-end formulas tend to be sheerer and yellow toned, adding warmth and light to your skin. They also tend to have a silkier, smoother texture than cheap powders, which can feel heavy and look chalky. As a bonus, a good powder will save you time and money by making foundation and concealer last longer.

Concealer I believe that concealer is the one product you should never scrimp on. A good one is creamy and smooth and has a yellow base, which is the best tone for lightening dark circles under your eyes. A bad concealer is white, pink, chalky, dry, or greasy--and may even emphasize the circles that you are trying to hide. Here's where a department store counter is the place to go, because you'll want to test the concealer between your fingers and on your face. Does it feel powdery, sticky, thin, or greasy, or does it give you white raccoon-eyes? If so, keep looking. Read the entire article. "