Your New Foundation Mantra: Less Is More

As we age, there are some things we hope to increase: retirement savings, vacation time, wisdom. Makeup opacity? Not so much. After 40, it's far more flattering to ease up, applying no more than a dime-sized dollop of sheer, dewier foundation formulas. Why? Well, the thicker the makeup and the more you pile on, the likelier it is to sink into, stretch out and emphasize textural imperfections like lines and large pores. Need a visual? Picture a great aunt or maybe an elementary school teacher from the 1970s who liked to layer on Max Factor Pancake Makeup. The effect was typically an orange, cakey finish that added five years to her face.

Convinced? A few of my lightweight favorites for everyday are Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe SPF 18 ($125; lemetierdebeaute.com) and Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm Instant Solutions SPF 35 ($85; bluemercury.com). For evenings, or times when I want to look more polished (e.g. I'm wearing heels and I've taken the time to blow out my hair), I've not found better than Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($64; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com) or Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation ($125; nordstrom.com). Yes, Le Metier and Cle de Peau are both pricey, but a little of each goes a very long way—and you can easily nurse a bottle for a whole year.

Tip: To make sure I never over-apply any foundation, I’m addicted to my BeautyBlender makeup sponge ($28; sephora.com). I dampen the sponge, then gently spackle on a dime-sized drop of makeup, starting in the center of my face (nose, chin) and blending outward.