A Strong Foundation: Makeup Choices Made Easy

When it comes to choosing makeup, do you have trouble making up your mind?

There are many products formulated to do more work for you besides covering flaws and enhancing beauty. They take some of the guessing out of the cosmetic equation.

Revlon has a "smart" foundation, Revlon Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup, which really lives up to its name. It comes in five colors, from Light to Deep (www.revlon.com) which at first glance doesn't seem like much of an assortment. But squeeze out a bit of the shade closest to your skin tone into your hand, and apply to your face. It starts out white, but adjusts to your complexion, flawlessly blending in.

Revlon also has a dial-a-shade formula, Revlon Custom Creations Foundation, in six formulations, from Fair/Light to Deep. I haven't tried this one, but I've always liked Revlon products. And I'm loving the Skin Matching Makeup, which is so quick and easy. And both foundations have the added benefit of sun protection, with SPFs of 15.

Cover Girl is another drug store brand that offers foundation shoppers a helping hand. Its TRUblend line promises to "go beyond just matching your skin tone to actually merge with your skin." You can choose your foundation, available in ranges of 1 to 6, but there are 15 shades of the liquid makeup, for example, and once you know your number, you can select corresponding concealers, blush and powder. So if your skin tone is deep, you'd likely be a 6, and choose the rest of your makeup in that range. The company's Web site, www.covergirl.com, also lets you get ColorMatched. You enter your skin, eye and hair color, and then you'll have shades recommended to you.

If you're not sure about foundation, but want some sort of coverage. Consider a primer. Smashbox (www.smashbox.com), DHC (www.dhccare.com/dhc), Avon (www.avon.com), and drugstore brands such as Rimmel London (www.rimmellondon.com) and Revlon, all offer primers to smooth the complexion. DHC's Velvet Skin Coat, applied to the face, lends a velvety looking texture, and it evens out pores and scars. If you must have flawless looking skin, a primer is a great way to go.

Primers are growing in popularity, and more makeup brands are offering them in their lineups, so odds are good your favorite brand has a primer available or one is in the works. Need a bit more polish on top of that base? Put some foundation or powder over it.

Or, tinted moisturizer is a great option, one that's also easy and offers good, but not heavy, coverage. Most makeup brands offer some sort of tinted moisturizer. (Just visit www.sephora.com or www.ulta.com, or go in store, where you have the benefit of testing most products in store.) A lot of the skin care brands, such as Neutrogena (www.neutrogena.com) and Aveeno (www.aveeno.com), also have tinted moisturizers on the market. Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer's has Total Soy Complex, to brighten the skin and even out imperfections. It is also SPF 30, so along with more attractive and even looking skin upon application, you also keep your skin looking prettier by protecting it from the sun's harsh rays. That's one of the biggest keys to keep your skin looking more youthful and clear.

Now this is just face, and only a very small amount of options in the limitless universe of makeup, but it's nice to know there are fast and easy options. And in terms of the drugstore brands such as Revlon, Rimmel London, Neutrogena and Aveeno, it's great to know there are options that won't bust your bank. And if you want to splurge a bit, Ulta and Sephora stores are great places to sample and explore.

And, keep in mind, if you're not happy with a product, most places will accept a return with a receipt. There's no need to be unhappy with a product and see the $5, $10 or $20 you spent take up room on your shelf and doing nothing for you.