Just like any picturesque landmark, one of the keys to a picture-perfect look is having the right foundation. But it can be daunting to find the right formula, not to mention the right shade.

So many women use the wrong foundation year after year. Most don’t even realize their face is looking a bit “off.” If you find yourself looking like a geisha in photographs, then you are part of this unfortunate group.

There is no shortcut to finding the right shade. You have to suck it up and experiment; test a few shades on your jaw and forehead to find the one that is right for you. Foundation of the right shade will disappear on the skin, while the wrong shade will change the color of your face.

Foundations are supposed to even out skin tone and texture. It should be a natural tone and light texture because the end goal is to have clear and smooth looking skin. There are a lot of different formulas, including stick, liquid, cream and powder. You generally want to get the right type of foundation so that you can see your skin underneath. Blemishes and blotchiness don’t stand a chance when you’re using the right foundation.

In your 20s

Apart from the odd breakouts, your skin is in pretty good shape. Go for sheer, oil free-foundations that let your skin shine through. For break-outs, cover and correct them using Bobbi Brown creamy concealer (P1,350).

Tip: After washing and moisturizing your face, dab an oil- absorbing primer over your T-zone to reduce shine and help makeup last.

In your 30s

With fine lines and sun damage beginning to creep up on you, it’s time to upgrade to a wrinkle softening cream foundation with more coverage.

Tip: Soften the appearance of tiny creases in your forehead and around the your eyes by dabbing on a primer that contains silicon. Try Smooth-365 by good skin labs. It promises 365 days of being wrinkle free. Its break-through formula fights even the most prominent of wrinkles, kicking natural collagen production into high gear to help firm skin and lift away the appearance of unwanted creases.
Smooth-365 is available at selected Watsons personal care stores, Beauty by SM department store and Marionnaud Mall of Asia (P2,000).

In your 40s

Almost everyone has some wrinkles and age spots now. Your newest concern: loss of moisture. Use a medium coverage liquid foundation to alleviate dryness.

Tip: Keep a purse-sized jar of moisturizer to dab on dry patches and keep foundation looking fresh. Also Try Shu Uemura face architect to create a barely there canvas with ease. It’s a sheer refining mousse foundation that provides effective coverage and exquisite moisture (P2,150).

In your 50s

Don’t make the mistake of wearing less makeup. Applied in delicate layers, foundation can help smooth the crepe-like texture on skin without looking like plaster.

Tip: Counter wrinkle and loss of elasticity by using your anti-aging serum as a primer. Try La Mer’s regenerating serum (P14,500). It’s an anti-aging powerhouse that helps skin trigger its natural production of collagen, elastin and other “youth proteins,” harnessing the power of the skin’s ability to renew its appearance.

In a day, skin looks rejuvenated. With continued use, the appearance of lines, wrinkles and pores is radically diminished for a seemingly ageless look. This multi-action serum accomplishes all of these feats with a lightweight suspension formula that’s friendly to all skin types.

What they use

These beautiful women talk about their most trusted foundation brands:

“My trusted brand for skin foundation is 1) MAC Cosmetics Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation. It’s applied as a gel and transforms into a satin finish making it look very natural. It lasts the whole day and is water resistant, so it stays on especially during these hot summer days. 2) Make-Up Forever Powder Foundation. I have normal to oily skin so I use Make-Up Forever powder foundation, which has an oil mattifying powder to keeps my face shine-free the whole day. It looks very natural and blends well with my skin. Not powdery at all!” —Cat Arambulo-Antonio, design student/wife/mother

“I’ve tried a lot of brands but my all-time favorite is Chanel liquid foundation. It has the smoothest and best coverage without the heavy and thick look or feeling. I also like Laura Mercier because it has a three-in-one liquid foundation/moisturizer/sunblock, though I still have to put powder on top because I tend to get oily when I use this. For everyday use, nothing beats Philosophy’s Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas Mineral Powder, which covers as well as any foundation, depending on how much you put.”—Audrey Tan-Zubiri, businesswoman

Top tip: It’s hard to wear white when foundation creams easily rub off on your clothes. By dusting a translucent powder, liquid foundation’s pigment is kept in place. You can also cover your face with a scarf before pulling on a white top.