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Beauty Confidential: Elsa McAlonan finds the best base for your face



Nothing transforms skin as quickly as the right foundation, but now there are creams, powders and BB creams (combining primer, foundation, moisturiser, concealer and sunblock) to choose from, finding the right one can be a headache.


Here, Elsa McAlonan tells you how to pick the perfect product and puts the newest formulas to the test.



With creams, powders and BB creams to choose from, finding the right one can be a headache

THE PERFECT MATCH
A foundation costing less than £10 has just been declared the UK's top choice for accurate colour matching.

Research by an independent retail specialist revealed that L'Oreal Paris's best-selling True Match Foundation, £9.99, Boots, matches more skin tones than any other in the mass market - 97 per cent of the UK.


There are 22 shades to choose from.




THE TRANSFORMER

My current favourite foundation is Bourjois BB Cream Compact Foundation, £11.99, which has just gone on sale in Selfridges. The shiny black compact has an integral rotating mirror and an applicator sponge for touch-ups on the go.


It also has the creamiest texture I have ever come across, more like a foundation than a BB cream. It slides on and then seems to disappear, leaving skin smoother and silkier.


The sponge helps with application, but the texture is so soft I have been using my fingers.


Unlike most BB creams, it hides everything - from pigmentation to under-eye circles. It's available in three shades and contains SPF 20 to protect against UV rays.






L'Oreal True Match Foundation, Bourjois BB Cream Compact Foundation and Revlon Nearly Naked foundation


LIGHT AND EASY

I have been trying Revlon's Nearly Naked foundation, £8.99, Boots, which launches next month. It's lightweight, but also delivers great coverage in a non-oily texture.


There are ten shades and three matching pressed powders, £7.99.

For those who like more coverage, Sisley Phyto-Blanc Foundation, £72.50, 020 7591 6380, is a new anti-blemish foundation that's easy to apply. It is more expensive than some brands featured here, but only a tiny amount is needed as it is such good quality.



TO BB OR NOT TO BB?

We will see more CC creams (colour corrector) this year, with the launch of Clinique's Moisture Surge CC cream in April. CC creams work to tackle imperfections such as redness to achieve an even complexion.


But until then, Beauty Balm creams are still dominating the market. One of the newest is Rimmel's BB Cream 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Make-up SPF 25, £4.99, Boots.


This is ideal for those who don't wear foundation but still want something to give their skin a healthy glow. It primes, moisturises, minimises pores, conceals, covers, smoothes, mattifies, brightens and helps protect the skin.


Also new is Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector BB Eye Roll-On, £9.99, Boots. The rollerball helps to smooth out under-eye bags and the liquid formula also blends in easily with whichever foundation you are using.

KEY CHOICES AND HOW TO MAKE THEM


Face Finity

Caroline Barnes, a Max Factor make-up artist, says:


'Foundation is so important as it provides the flawless base for the rest of your make-up.


'When selecting a shade, look at the colour of your chest and choose a similar tone.'

If you still struggle to find the right shade, Barnes suggests buying two. 'Two shades ensures you look three-dimensional.


'Use your normal shade around the outside of your face then one shade lighter in the T-zone area, under your eyes and on top of eyebrows,' she says.




IT TAKES TWO


Miracle

If you still struggle to find the right texture, try mixing your foundation with a couple of drops of serum, which can loosen the texture and give you a silkier effect.

One of the best products I have found is Lancôme Éclat Miracle, £21, Debenhams, which can be used alone or mixed with foundation as an instant radiance booster.

NSpa Illuminating Beauty Serum, £7, Asda, is a cheaper alternative. It absorbs quickly, leaving no oily film, and can be worn with or without make-up.





FACE THE LIGHT


Serum

The most important rule to remember when applying foundation is to apply it in natural light.


At this time of year, sit in front of a window and look straight on at the mirror.


If there is no natural light, then take the shade off a lamp and use the bare bulb.





CLEAN UP YOUR ACT

Apply foundation in whichever way you prefer - this can be using a brush, fingers or


Sponges

a sponge.


But before you buy a new foundation, throw out any old sponges as they are a breeding ground for bacteria, and foundation will go on much more smoothly if you apply it with a new sponge.

Superdrug Rectangle Make-up Sponges, £3.69 for a pack of 20.



COMPLEXION BRIGHTENERS

The latest light-reflecting powders can be worn over foundation or merely on top of moisturised skin.

The Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder, £25, out from February 1, is a translucent mineral powder that maximises the light reflected on the skin, helping to create the illusion of diminished lines and wrinkles.


The new Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder, £40, is a palette with six luminous pastel shades designed to be blended.


It instantly brightens the skin with a wash of colour, while the soft texture perfectly sets make-up without feeling heavy or weighed down.


There are skincare benefits, too, as the formula includes skin-boosting mulberry, grape and gentian root extracts.


To instantly brighten the complexion, blend all the shades together using a powder brush and apply to the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.


For best results, apply with a big, soft powder brush - try Model's Own Bronze and Powder Brush, £11, Boots which has a splattering of bright yellow so it's easy to spot in your make-up bag.




Garnier Perfector BB Eye Roll-On, Nars Light Reflecting Powder and BareMinerals Ready SPF 20 Foundation

MINERAL MAGIC

I have never really been a fan of mineral foundation, finding it doesn't have as much coverage as the liquid or cream formulas.


But the new BareMinerals Ready SPF 20 Foundation, £25, on sale in March, is packed with sea minerals, anti-oxidants and rosehip seed oil, which makes it hydrating and helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.


I gave it a try and followed the instructions to swirl the brush over the powder, tap it to shake off any excess and then buff it into the skin. By the end of the day it hadn't found its way into any little lines to my surprise - I'm a convert!


I did find, however, it took more rigorous cleansing to get it off than other foundations, but it felt good on, and has a soft, smooth texture.

THE PICKS OF THE NEWEST PRODUCTS


PAINTBOX NAILS



Color Show

For a nail colour to suit everyone, try Maybelline New York Color Show, £2.99 each, Boots, in 39 shades.


I love Coral Craze, a lovely pinky-orange; Urban Turquoise, a bright blue; and Purple Gem.

You could also try Nails Inc Concrete Polish Collection, £12. Available in Marble Arch (tomato red); Stonehenge (cobalt blue); London Wall (nude); and Monument (lime).




SUPER MAKE-UP


Superdry

Superdry cosmetics range launches next month.


This premium brand comes in bright, industrial-style packaging.


Stand-out products include the lip glazes, £7.50 - non-sticky, long-lasting glosses - and the fabulous kabuki brushes, £14, which come in bright pink or black.


The eyeshadows, £8, are also impressive, with highly- pigmented single shadows in on-trend shades.




HAIR HERO


Wonderball

Hairdresser Lee Stafford’s new Wonderball Waver Tousle Wand, £34.99, very.co.uk, is the ideal tool for anyone who finds it difficult to create waves using normal tongs.


The barrel is infused with argan oil, which provides nourishment and creates extra shine.


Lee’s advice is to hold it pointing down the head, wrap a section of hair around and down the wand, hold for a few seconds then unwind for a head of gentle waves.

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