KEY POINTS:
Compact assistance for a natural skin tone Good foundation acts like the skin you never quite had. One that's perfectly colour-matched to your skin tone will do wonders, making the imperfect near as damn it perfect. What's more, some of the latest generation are all about the convenience of a compact but perform like a favourite liquid version.
1 Elizabeth Arden Intervene Makeup SPF15
$64 for 30ml
This isn't just any old foundation. Rather it gives a dose of Biodormin skincare with your natural all-day coverage, meaning there's anti-ageing technology at work in that thar bottle to help put a "pause on ageing signs". The medium to full coverage coupled with micro-mineral pigment technology means skin looks brighter and more evenly toned.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
2 Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme Compact Makeup SPF15
$78
Whoa. This is about "more lift, more moisture, more radiance". It works by incorporating the ExtremeLift Complex into the compact foundation so skin looks more lifted and firmer but the moisture levels are high, so skin appears plump and well-fed. Lovely and lightweight on the skin, it can be applied with the sponge cunningly concealed in the basement level under the compact anywhere, anytime.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
3 Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation
$85 for 30ml
This does such an amazing impersonation of luminous, gleaming, healthy skin, people will think it's all natural. That's the other thing about this. Although the coverage is medium to full, you barely notice you're wearing it. Meantime, it moisturises and helps with the visible signs of ageing. Makeup guru Bobbi Brown is fanatical about getting the colour right and advocates matching it to your face, not the back of your hand.
From Smith & Caughey's and Farmers Albany.
4 Lancome Color Ideal Hydra Compact Foundation SPF10
$80 for 10g
This is the wonderful Color Ideal liquid foundation in compact form. The colour-true pigments adapt to give a perfect match for your skin tone and the water content means it's a good little hydration system for skin. The satin finish is beautiful and oh so natural. Once you've got the compact, you can do your eco warrior bit and just buy the refill for $55.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
5 Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation
$38.99 for 11.5g
This goes from being a solid foundation into a lightweight liquid as soon as it hits skin. This little beauty was inspired by the uber-makeup artist Pat McGrath, who is responsible for some of the most amazing looks on the international runways. She also happens to be the global cosmetic creative director for Max Factor and believes this creates the "ultimate skin finish - ultra-even, fine and smooth coverage".
From selected Farmers stores, variety stores and pharmacies.
