How do I ensure that my complexion looks good all day?

Ask Urban: How do I ensure that my complexion looks good all day?

First, get the basics right.

Exfoliate as often as it is suitable for your skin type (depending on the exfoliant that you use, it could be daily or once every three days), choose skincare products (serum, moisturiser, sunscreen), and a primer that are suitable for your skin type.

Once your skin is healthy, smooth and prepared, it all comes down to applying the right foundation. Invest in a long-wearing foundation with skincare benefits. Do not stint when it comes to your base make-up, as a quality foundation can help you fake your way to natural-looking, flawless, glowing skin.

Here are some of the latest foundations with hi-tech formulas that will not disappoint.

Sisley's new oil-free and non-comedogenic Phyto Teint Expert All-day Long Flawless Foundation (photo 1, $160, available at Sisley counters from next month) claims to last for 12 hours. Soft-focus particles of different sizes reflect light at 180-degree angles so skin looks free from imperfections, while crystal mica powders act as micro-mirrors to add radiance. A blurring gel derived from clay gives skin a matte look too. The pigments are also coated in soya lecithin, which are similar to the lipids naturally found in the skin, so the foundation feels weightless.

The product doubles as a skincare formula. Extracts from frangipani, cucumber and glycerin moisturise and soften; and ginkgo biloba leaf and vitamin E protect.

Lancome's new Teint Miracle Bare Skin Foundation Natural Light Creator SPF15 (photo 2, $66, from Lancome counters) has been improved. More lightweight than the previous version, the formula absorbs sebum so skin looks fresher, for up to 12 hours, especially on those with oily skin. Its new Universal Light Technology is also said to give skin a soft glow, even under harsh and unflattering lighting. Made with rose extracts and a high water content - 40 per cent of the formula to be exact - the product claims to keep skin supple too.

The Diorskin Star Studio Makeup Spectacular Brightening Weightless Perfection (photo 3, $79, from Dior counters) is another formula that is made to treat skin while perfecting its appearance. Its Light Pulsion Technology diffuses soft light at 360 degrees with hollow silica particles filled with titanium beads, and colour filter pigments enhance the natural skin tone to correct imperfections. Skincare ingredients - spilanthes herb, daisy and liquorice extracts - promise to lighten dark spots and even out the complexion.

Cle De Peau Beaute's Radiant Fluid Foundation (photo 4, $175, available at Cle de Peau Beaute counters from next month) is inspired by the soft radiance of a pave diamond ring. Using a Microfacet Technology, the powder particles reflect light randomly for a diffused glow. A Day Matching Powder, made of redness-erasing pearl powder and sebum-absorbing transparent powder particles, keeps skin from looking dull throughout the day. An amino acid derived from silk is said to help skin regenerate, and glycerin as well as a protein found in pearls moisturise the skin.

The Maquillage True Liquid Long Keep UV (photo 5, $60, from Shiseido counters) absorbs sebum so the make-up looks fresh for up to 13 hours. Though lightweight, it hides the appearance of pores and hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Apply foundation with warm finger tips, a blending egg-shaped sponge or a flat and rounded synthetic brush for best results.

This article was first published on August 8, 2014.
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