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RealAge Article
How to Choose the Right Makeup for YOU
By RealAge
The makeup counter can feel like a paint store -- so many choices, so many promises. How in the world are you supposed to know what works best? Start by clicking through the following list of product recommendations from cosmetics specialist Paula Begoun, author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. She’s reviewed thousands of products, putting them through their paces to identify safe, effective options for maximizing your outer beauty.
Foundations
Best with Sunscreen (SPF 15 or Greater)Best with Sunscreen (SPF 15 or Greater)
- For Very Oily Skin
Inexpensive: Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup SPF 25 ($12.99)
Expensive: Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF 42 ($31) - For Normal to Oily/Combination Skin
Inexpensive: L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17 ($9.99)
Expensive: Chanel Double Perfection Fluide Matte Reflecting Makeup SPF 15 ($42.50) - For Normal to Dry Skin
Inexpensive: Revlon Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm SPF 15, Normal/Combination Skin ($13.99)
Expensive: Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Makeup SPF 15 ($39.50) - Sheer Foundations/Tinted Moisturizers
Inexpensive: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20 ($10.99)
Expensive: None that met our criteria
Best Without Sunscreen
- For Very Oily Skin
Inexpensive: Almay Clear Complexion Liquid Makeup ($12.49)
Expensive: Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Enduringly Divine & Comfortable Makeup ($36) - For Normal to Oily/Combination Skin
Inexpensive: Cover Girl TruBlend Whipped Foundation ($7.89) or TruBlend Liquid Makeup ($9.49)
Expensive: Laura Mercier Flawless Face Silk Creme Foundation ($40) - For Normal to Dry Skin
Inexpensive: None that met our criteria. The closest drugstore match to the Clarins foundation below is Rimmel Recover Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Foundation ($7.99), though half of the six shades are not recommended, and it is highly fragranced.
Expensive: Clarins Extra Firming Foundation ($37.50)
Concealers
Best Liquid Concealers- Best Liquid Concealers
Inexpensive: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer ($5.39)
Expensive: Stila Illuminating Concealer ($22) - Best Cream, Cream-to-Powder, and Stick Concealers
Inexpensive: Revlon Age Defying Concealer SPF 20 ($8.99)
Expensive: Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Concealer SPF 25 ($22)
Powders
Best Loose Powders- Best Loose Powders
Inexpensive: Boots No7 Perfect Light Loose Powder ($12.99) or Physicians Formula Loose-to-Go Multi-Colored Loose Powder ($11.95)
Expensive: Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder ($32) or Giorgio Armani Micro-fil Loose Powder ($47) - Best Pressed Powders
Inexpensive: Maybelline New York Dream Matte Face Powder ($7.99) or Cover Girl Advanced Radiance Age-Defying Pressed Powder ($6.99)
Expensive: LORAC Translucent Touch Up Powder ($32) or M.A.C. Mineralized Skinfinish ($24.50) - Best Pressed Powders with Sunscreen
Inexpensive: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Protective Powder SPF 30 ($10.99)
Expensive: Dior DiorSkin Compact SPF 20 ($41) - Best Pressed Bronzing Powders
Inexpensive: Wet 'n' Wild Bronzer Ultimate Bronzing Powder ($2.99)
Expensive: Trish McEvoy Matte Bronzer ($28 for powder tablet; $15 for refillable compact)
Blushes
Best Powder Blushes- Best Powder Blushes
Inexpensive: Jane Blushing Cheeks Blush ($3.79)
Expensive: Clarins Powder Blush Compact ($26) - Best Cream-to-Powder, Stick, or Liquid/Gel Blushes
Inexpensive: Revlon Cream Blush ($9.79) or Avon Split Second Blush Stick ($8)
Expensive: Dior Pro Cheeks Ultra-Radiant Blush ($30) or Bobbi Brown Cream Blush Stick ($25)
Eye Shadows
Best Powder Eye Shadows- Best Powder Eye Shadows
Inexpensive: Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eye Shadow ($6.75) and Physicians Formula Bright Collection Shimmery Quads Eye Shadow ($6.75)
Expensive: Dior 5-Colours Eyeshadow Compact ($52) - Best Cream or Cream-to-Powder Eye Shadows
Inexpensive: Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow ($6.49)
Expensive: Stila Shadow Pots ($20)
Eyeliners, Pencils, and Tints
Best Liquid, Cake, or Gel Eyeliners- Best Liquid, Cake, or Gel Eyeliners
Inexpensive: Cover Girl Liquid Pencil Felt Tip Eyeliner ($5.69) or L’Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner ($11)
Expensive: Lancome Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner ($27) or Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($19) - Best Automatic Eye Pencils
Inexpensive: Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Eye Definer ($4.99)
Expensive: M.A.C. Technakohl Liner ($14.50) - Best Automatic Eyebrow Pencils
Inexpensive: Physicians Formula Brow Definer Automatic Brow Pencil ($5.95)
Expensive: Prescriptives Groom Stick for Brows ($18.50) - Best Eyebrow Gels and Brow Tints
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara ($1; clear brow gel); Stila Brow Polish ($12; tinted)
Expensive: Trish McEvoy Brow Gel ($20; clear brow gel); Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper ($17; tinted)
Lipsticks, Glosses, and Pencils
Best Cream Lipsticks- Best Cream Lipsticks
Inexpensive: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick ($5.99) or L'Oreal HIP Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor ($10)
Expensive: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick ($21.50) or Giorgio Armani Lipstick Mania ($25) - Best Sheer Lipsticks
Inexpensive: Avon Glazewear Lipstick ($8)
Expensive: Estee Lauder Electric Liquid Lip Creme ($22) - Best Lipsticks or Lip Gloss with Sunscreen
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 ($1)
Expensive: Chanel Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine SPF 15 ($24.50) - Best Lip Paints/Stains and Long-Wearing Lipcolor
Inexpensive: Maybelline New York Superstay Lipcolor ($9.99)
Expensive: M.A.C. Pro Longwear Lipcolour ($20) - Best Lip Glosses
Inexpensive: Wet 'n' Wild Glassy Gloss Lip Gel ($2.99) or Max Factor MAXalicious Glaze ($5.99)
Expensive: Laura Mercier Liquid Crystal Lip Glace ($22) or Yves Saint Laurent Touche Brilliance Sparkling Touch for Lips ($29) - Best Automatic Lip Pencils
Inexpensive: Prestige Cosmetics Waterproof Automatic Lip Liner ($4.89)
Expensive: Lancome Le Crayon Lip Contour ($21)
Mascaras
Best Nonwaterproof- Best Nonwaterproof
Inexpensive: L'Oreal Lash Architect 3-D Dramatic Mascara ($8.29, straight or curved brush) or Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara ($6.99)
Expensive: Lancome Fatale Exceptional Volume Sculpting 3D Comb Mascara ($23) or Chanel Sculpte Cils Sculpting Mascara Extreme Length Fine Lashes ($25) - Best Waterproof
Inexpensive: Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara Triple Effect Waterproof ($7.99)
Expensive: Lancome Definicils Waterproof High Definition Mascara ($23)
Illuminators
Best Skin-Illuminating/Shimmer Products- Best Skin-Illuminating/Shimmer Products
Inexpensive: Wet 'n' Wild MegaGlo Face Illuminator ($2.99); Sephora Luminizer ($22); Jane Shimmering Bronzer ($5.99)
Expensive: Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer ($55); LORAC Oil-Free Luminizer ($28); Vincent Longo Day Play Duo Compact Highlighter ($38.50)
Brushes
Best Makeup Brushes- Best Makeup Brushes
Inexpensive: The Body Shop ($8.50–$24.50); Sonia Kashuk ($7.99–$19.99; exclusively at Target)
Expensive: Shu Uemura ($10–$270); Trish McEvoy ($14–$72)
