Faking perfect skin is easier than it seems—just follow these steps to conceal wrinkles, pimples, dark circles, and more.
Apply Primer
After you moisturize, spread on a light primer with silica, which has a filling effect. A foundation that's creamy and moisturizing won't settle into fine lines and wrinkles, but use it sparingly—the more you add, the more pronounced lines will look. We like Revlon Age Defying with DNA Advantage Cream Makeup ($4.30).
Choose your foundation wisely
Choose a liquid foundation with silicone. Avoid luminous or matte ones (they make the skin appear either too moist or too flat to be natural), and instead look for the words "lightweight," "sheer," or "invisible."
Some lightweight foundations won't mask every flaw, though.Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup ($45, nordstrom.com) does the trick. For extra coverage, you need more pigment, not a heavier texture. Try M.A.C. Matchmaster Foundation ($34).
Find your shade
To find a foundation that matches your complexion, test the color on your neck. Your skin tone is more uniform there than it is on your face, so you'll wind up with a shade that's just right. You'll also avoid that dreaded demarcation along the jawline.
Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($41.14) has a wide range of shades to choose from.
Photo: David StesnerApply Sparingly
Dab on six dime-size dots of foundation: two on your forehead, one each on the tip and along the sides of your nose, and the last on your chin. Using two fingers, spread the color over your forehead, down your nose, across your cheeks, over your chin, and along the sides of your face.
Always blend down or sideways—never up—to prevent foundation from catching in peach fuzz.
Use your fingers to blend
Blend the liquid toward the perimeter of your face. It will get sheerer as you move closer to your hairline and jaw, preventing any harsh lines.
Diffuse with a sponge
Tap a clean, damp makeup sponge around the nose, over wrinkles, and anywhere your base is noticeable to remove excess that could crease or emphasize lines. The BeautyBlender's ($19) pointed end gets around your nose; its oval base is perfect elsewhere.
Hide Imperfections
• With a fine-tipped brush, dab a solid concealer over blemishes or dark spots that are still visible. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($32)comes with two shades you can blend.
• Get rid of redness with a yellow-based foundation, such as Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup ($34.99). Smooth it over any discoloration with your fingers, and then blur the edges with a damp makeup sponge.
• Hide undereye circles with a creamy formula, such as Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation ($7.59), tapping it on with your ring finger.
• Get rid of redness with a yellow-based foundation, such as Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup ($34.99). Smooth it over any discoloration with your fingers, and then blur the edges with a damp makeup sponge.
• Hide undereye circles with a creamy formula, such as Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation ($7.59), tapping it on with your ring finger.
Powder your face
Dip a large, fluffy brush in loose translucent powder. (We like Dior DiorSkin Matte and Luminous Hydrating Loose Powder. ($52) Tap off excess and dust powder where you tend to get shiny. The mica micro-particles in the powder will diffuse the light to create an airbrushed look as well as set your makeup in place for the rest of the day.
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