SOFT FOCUS

Laura Mercier
Foundation Primer ($32.00, lauramercier.com)

PRODUCT 101: A lightweight, creamy gel that creates an invisible barrier between skin and makeup to prime your face for color. Worn under foundation, this illuminating primer creates a smooth, flawless canvas for application, allowing foundation to glide on easily and stay fresh and color-true for hours. Ideal for all skin types, the universal pearl tint creates a soft focus effect to minimize the look of imperfections with a radiant finish. It’s the first step to Laura’s “Flawless Face.” Dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, it is formulated with antioxidants vitamins A, C, and E; Prestige Soft Focus Pearls; and skin-conditioning Jojoba.

What else you need to know:
Just as a painter primes a canvas, Foundation Primer—the original—was created by Laura Mercier in 1995 to prime the skin. After creating the industry’s first primer, she “reinvented” it and made a version that added soft highlights, luminosity, and radiance to skin. A lightweight, creamy vitamin-rich gel that prepares the skin for makeup application, it creates an even, invisible layer that acts as a buffer to outside elements and expertly holds foundation. This water-based formula not only keeps makeup staying fresh and color-correct for hours but also helps perfect skintone over time.

WEIGHTLESS

Yves Saint Laurent
Le Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation ($55.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

PRODUCT 101: A weightless, illuminating foundation. For the first time, the magic light of Touche Éclat is in a foundation with the added benefit of SPF 19 sun protection. Infused in a weightless fluid, this foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. Free of opaque fillers, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal imperfections while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Petrochemicals
• Phthalates
• GMOs
• Triclosan

GLOWING

Shiseido
Radiant Lifting Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 17 ($45.00, shiseido.com)

PRODUCT 101: An antiaging foundation with innovative light technology to eliminate shadows and give skin a radiant, youthful glow. Revive your skin with light.Radiance Reflecting Powder provides a soft-focus effect and luminosity for a more youthful, lifted appearance for 12 hours and a rich moisturizing effect for 24 hours.

What else you need to know:
Smooth wrap oil, hydroxyproline, and rose apple leaf extract provide abundant moisture to help counteract wrinkles and firm the skin.

FLAWLESS

Shiseido
Foundation Brush ($30.00, shiseido.com)

PRODUCT 101: A versatile foundation brush for use with all formulations. Shiseido’s innovative technology combined with traditional Japanese brush-making techniques create the perfect foundation finish. Perfect for liquid, cream or powder, this brush picks up all types of formulas for a uniform application and impeccable finish.

What else you need to know:
Gently tapered strands create an angled slant that best allows bristles to reach all facial contours. A short handle allows for precise control during application and portability for travel.

SENSUAL GLOW

Nars Cosmetics
Sheer Glow Foundation ($42.00, narscosmetics.com)

PRODUCT 101: A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. This Sheer Glow Foundation enhances, without masking, your overall natural complexion. The weightless formula hydrates the skin while complexion brightening properties improve skin brightness, radiance, and texture, leaving skin with a luminous, sensual glow.

What else you need to know:
Suitable for normal, normal-to-dry, dry, and very dry skin types.

Research Results:
• 100% say skin felt soft and smooth
• 96% say it evens out skintone
• 96% say they would purchase it if it were available on the market
• 96% say they would recommend it to a friend
• 92% say skin looks brighter and more radiant

CARAMEL

Make Up For Ever
HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($40.00, makeupforever.com)

PRODUCT 101: An oil-free medium-to-full-coverage liquid foundation that covers skin imperfections flawlessly while remaining invisible on-screen and in real life. This long-wearing foundation creates a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It leaves your complexion with such a flawless finish, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting. This foundation comes in 25 shades to suit all skin tones. Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner.

LUMINOUS

Nars Cosmetics
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ ($42.00, narscosmetics.com)

PRODUCT 101: A lightweight tinted moisturizer that evens skintone and provides a translucent veil of protection. Infused with lush, naturally derived ingredients, this lightweight tinted moisturizer immediately helps thirsty skin feel hydrated. It has been proven to help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation for a clearer and brighter complexion in just four weeks. Oil-free and luxurious, it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections. SPF 30/ PA+++ adds a translucent veil of protection.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Synthetic Fragrances
• Synthetic Dyes
• Petrochemicals
• Phthalates
• GMOs
• Triclosan

What else you need to know:
Natural polysaccharides from Moorea island in French Polynesia hydrate, condition, and help encourage natural cell renewal.* Mineral-rich seawater uniquely revitalizes and adds key minerals back into the skin.* Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ helps improve skin’s overall condition. Soft and smooth to the touch, skin looks natural and glowing. This dermatologist-tested product is free of oil, synthetic fragrances and is non-comedogenic.

Research results:
• 84% felt their skin was more radiant and luminous
• 81% felt the product smoothed out the surface of their skin
• 81% felt the product gave them immediate hydration

BEAUTY QUEEN

The Gold Standard. Legendary. Elegant. Innovative. The most influential makeup artist in the world by Vogue magazine. Pat McGrath was born and raised in Northampton, England. One of the most creative makeup artists of her generation, McGrath began her career in 1990 after completing an art foundation course at Northampton College, and said she “grew up living and breathing fashion in a compulsively creative family”.

• While she had no formal makeup training, her career breakthrough came while working on i-D magazine in the early Nineties.

• Since then she has worked with all the world’s top fashion photographers, designers and models.

• During the Nineties she spent ten seasons creating the makeup concepts for Prada and Miu Miu and in 1999 was asked by Giorgio Armani to design his cosmetics line.

• In 2004 she was named global cosmetics creative design director for Procter&Gamble, the name behind makeup brands including Max Factor, Dolce & Gabbana, CoverGirl and SK-II.

• She regularly collaborates on major fashion advertising campaigns such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Lanvin, Calvin Klein and Balenciaga, and her editorial work includes regular shoots with Vogue Italia and American Vogue.

• She is also Beauty Director of i-D magazine and dispenses her knowledge in the expert advice pages of Allure.

• In a Vogue article in 2007 she was named the most influential makeup artist in the world and has worked with celebrities as diverse as Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cate Blanchett and Oprah Winfrey.

• Despite creating the makeup for a plethora of shows and campaigns each season, McGrath remains inspired, “I’m influenced a lot by the fabrics I see, the colours that are in the collections and the girl’s faces. It’s always a challenge but that’s the key – to make it different every time.”

WHEN IN DOUBT, GO NUDE

Natural has never looked so beautiful. Always glossy. Just the perfect sheen. It’s never dull or fake. And, there’s no such thing as too nude. The classic barefaced with the right touch of pink and peach creates warmth. It’s fresh and approachable, clean beauty makeup at its best!

THE GLOW DOWN – QUICK TIPS AND TRICKS
• Use your fingertips to apply a toffee-colored cream blush onto your cheeks, then go over them with a peach powder blush using a fluffy blush brush.

• For a subtle effect on the lips, pick a blue- or purple-based pink rather than and orange or red lip gloss. Line your lips with a subtle definition and apply a sheer amount of gloss.

• Highlighter is easy to apply and even easier to overdo. It gives you a glow without looking like you’re wearing tons of makeup. A peach-gold shimmer gives the perfect warmth. Mix a pea-size amount with a light foundation or tinted moisturizer for a golden sheen to perk up your skin.

• For an easy and precise eye makeup, trace a non-smudgy black pencil as close as possible to your upper lash line and apply a few coats of mascara. A touch of gold eye shadow in the inner corners will brighten up your eyes. Make sure your brows are neat and defined, when you’re wearing minimal eye makeup, the spotlight falls on them.

Laura Mercier Cosmetics
Crème Cheek Colour, ($22.00, lauramercier.com)
PRODUCT 101: A long-lasting, natural cheek colour formulated to provide translucent, buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish. Provides simple and quick way to create naturally flushed-looking cheeks. Silky powder allows ample play time before the product dries. Softly illuminates skin for a healthy complexion.

Nars Cosmetics
Orgasm Illuminator, ($29.00, narscosmetics.com)
PRODUCT 101: A complexion enhancer that makes skin look instantly refreshed, radiant, and glowing. This product lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic!

FOUNDATION 101

THE GOAL: A COMPLEXION THAT’S FLAWLESS!

1. To get the exact color you want, combine two shades of foundation. Mix them in your hand, not on your face. For a more luminous look, blend in a liquid highlighter.

2. If you don’t want foundation all over, dot it on uneven areas.

3. Apply a silicone-based primer after moisturizer and before foundation to keep makeup lasting longer.

4. Once opened and exposed to air, cream and liquid foundations last about a year (if they’re exposed to extreme temperatures during that time); powder formulas last for two years. (Toss them earlier if the odor or texture changes.)

5. To take down shine during the day, use powdered blotting papers for oily skin or non-powdered for normal skin rather than powder, which can build up and look cakey on the skin.