Face Makeup

Foundation

Editors' Choice

After wading through pools of heavy base, we finally hit on Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint. It feels light and creates a flawless--yet totally convincing--finish.

Readers' Choice

CoverGirl Trublend Makeup

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup

Tinted Moisturizer

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 feels like an ultralight lotion, packs the UVA and UVB protection of a sunscreen, and delivers as much coverage as sheer foundation. Alas, it can only win in one category.

Highlighter

Too many highlighters confuse glimmer (pretty) with glitter (preteen). Not Benefit's. Mr. Frosty illuminates the inner corners of eyes, the Gilded pencil gives brow bones a pale gold shimmer, and Moonbeam liquid makes cheekbones glow.

Blush

Editors' Choice

We dotted on dozens of cream blushes, but only Becca Creme Blush had the staying power of a powder. We love Turkish Rose for fair skin, Amaryllis for olive, and Hyacinth for dark.

Nars Blush is the rare powder that seems to become part of--rather than sit on top of--skin. Our favorite shades: Deep Throat for fair skin, Orgasm for olive, and Outlaw for dark.

Readers' Choice

CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Rose Silk

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Powder

Shiseido The Makeup Enriched Loose Powder is completely colorless, so it's impossible to buy the wrong shade. But that's just an added perk. Its real value is that it disappears instantly on skin, taking our shiny T-zone with it.

Bronzer

Bronzers deserve their bad reputation for being too dark or dirty-looking. But Guerlain Terracotta Moisturizing Bronzing Powder simply imparts a beautiful golden sheen.

Facial Self-Tanner

Less is more, as proven by Clarins Radiance Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel. Less streaking and less orange tint than the competition equals more believable color for your face.

Concealer

Editors' Choice

Plenty of cover-ups hide dark circles, but none have the staying power or crease resistance of Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer.

And Bobbi Brown Blemish Cover Stick disguises zits, but isn't so opaque that it stands out like a beige bull's eye. It also contains oil-absorbing clay and plant derivatives to reduce redness.

Readers' Choice

CoverGirl Invisible Concealer

M.A.C. Select Cover Up

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Best of Beauty - Lipstick & Gloss