Best of Beauty: Base

Like “luxury resort,” the phrase “second skin” is tossed around so often it’s practically lost its meaning. Let’s reserve it for these cover-ups.

PRIMER
Technically, Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer is meant to go on under foundation, but with light-reflecting pigments that brighten skin right away, we’re tempted to skip that second step.

FOUNDATION
LIGHT COVERAGE
Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup feels like you’re wearing nothing but your own smooth, luminous skin (no redness, no discoloration).

FOUNDATION
MEDIUM TO FULL COVERAGE
Much like the cult concealer that inspired it, Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat covers with just a few drops. And its lightweight gel base leaves skin radiant, not slick.

FOUNDATION
OILY OR ACNE-PRONE
With .5 percent salicylic acid, Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup treats and covers the flare-ups you might have and intercepts the ones you surely don’t want.

DIOR SPRAY FOUNDATION

Dior revolutionizes makeup with a spray foundation that goes on as light as mist thanks to a unique diffusion technology. One sweep provides an instant sensation of freshness; in just a few seconds the skin tone is perfectly even with a radiant, surprisingly natural finish.

FOUNDATION
MINERAL
BareMinerals Ready Foundation keeps skin dewy and can double as a concealer, plus the solid formula won’t spill in your makeup bag.

FOUNDATION
SHADE RANGE
These days, plenty of foundation lines offer the palest ivories and deepest ebonies. But Lancôme Teinte Idole Ultra 24H, available in 28 shades, also hits every skin tone in between.

TINTED MOISTURIZER
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream SPF 15 doesn’t sacrifice one mission for another: SPF 15 and vitamin C block the sun, hyaluronic acid hydrates, and minerals lend a beautiful glow.

POWDER
PRESSED
L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder skims on like velvet, covers as well as foundation, and won’t change color on you after a few hours.

POWDER
LOOSE
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder shrinks pores with a sheer veil of coverage.

CONCEALER
UNDEREYE CIRCLES
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit comes with a sheer powder to neutralize dark circles without washing (or drying) you out.

CONCEALER
BLEMISHES
No matter how honking the zit, Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil muffles it. All eight shades blend so beautifully that you don’t see the pimple—or the concealer.

FACIAL SELF-TANNER
Kate Somerville Somerville 360° Face Self Tanning Pads exfoliate as they bronze, come with a finger mitt (so hands won’t stain), and are laced with skin-plumping peptides.