Ace your base

Before you hand over your hard earne d cash for foundation, take hom e a sample of the shade you think you want. Department store lighting is notoriously bad and you'll judge best where you normally apply your make up: at home, with your own mirror and lighting conditions. Also, see how it performs over the day – does it last, go blotchy or just not deliver? Use a sponge, brush, or your fingers to apply product – it's purely a personal preference. But do stand back to get the general effect, as there's a tendency to over do it when you're working very close up. Lastly, don't assume you need to apply it all over the face. Most coverage is needed at the nose and chin area. Starting at the centre of the face means most product lands there and then you can blend outwards. Modern bases address much more than mere colour, so decide what you're looking for in a base before you go shopping.

PERFECT
Chanel's new Perfection Lumière Velvet is a great leap forward in mattifying excess oils while keeping a luminous finish. The blurring effect on pores and wrinkles means skin looks smoother and more even, too. Available from April 11th, €39.50.

PROTECT
Holiday season is just around the corner, and what could be easier than a compact powder formula (no airport security issues there), with built-in sun protection of SPF30? Add to that a soft matte finish which lasts all day, defying perspiration, oil and water, and you've got Shiseido's Global Sun Care UV protective compact foundation, €33.

FRESH FACED
A big hit with beauty editors who might normally sniff at high-street brands, Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation is a one-stop-shop for fresh, dewy skin. Coverage is excellent and it also has SPF15, €10.99.

ALL ROUNDER
Many have tried but none come close to Bobbi Brown's Stick Foundation for sheer practicality and performance. The range of 24 shades ensures an excellent skin match, and its buildable formula suits all skin types. It can double up as a concealer to cover up less than perfect areas, or can be used as an all-over skin perfecter, €36.

MOISTURE BOOST
Dry or mature skin will respond to Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Makeup , a vitamin-infused foundation that targets dryness and flaky patches. The light reflecting particles give a radiant and fresh-looking finish, €36.

OIL-FREE
Known as the queen of the flawless face, Laura Mercier's oil-free Supreme Foundation gives great coverage in a comfortable, lightweight liquid. It glides on evenly and is non-drying, so won't settle into fine lines, €48.

LASTING FINISH
This classic is a favourite with brides as the non-budge/non-transfer, naturally matte finish keeps skin looking fresh all day. The coverage is excellent and the colour range extensive. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, €36.50.

COLOUR WITH SKINCARE
If you're a fan of the cult skin cream, you'll love Crème de la Mer's Treatment Fluid Foundation . Silky and lightweight, it includes marine and plant extracts which seem to add an energised glow to all skin types, with good coverage and a natural finish, too. At €92, it's not cheap, but a little goes a long way.

TOUCH OF LIGHT
Using the same technology as in the Touche Éclat highlighting pen, YSL has taken coverage a step further with Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation , for a truly luminous glow, €40.

pclarke@irishtimes.com