Foundation goes high tech

Think of it as the technology of skin-flattery, high-tech meets high-touch. It's advancing as fast as you can say "amazing," and its visible now, in a new generation of foundations. Have you kept up? Here's what's happening:

• Skin matching is more precise than ever, in shades bracketed to the nth degree of naturalness to match any skin on earth.
• Sheerness has been perfected so that the natural glow of your own skin shines right through while uneven tone and imperfections melt weightlessly into the foundation.
• Light diffusers make skin look naturally radiant in any light and can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How to choose the right type of foundation

Foundation comes in liquid, cream, stick and liquid-to-powder. Liquids tend to be sheerest and creams heaviest, but you can find almost any type of coverage, including long-wearing, in every formulation.

What to think about

Factor in these three considerations when choosing foundation: 1) the degree of coverage you want; 2) compatibility with your skin type; and 3) type of finish you want. Coverage ranges from super-sheer, the lightest, to thicker, heavier coverage. If your skin is normal-to-oily, choose an oil-free, non-comedegenic formula. Drier skins benefit from moisturizing formulas, such as Face Lifting Moisture Firm Foundation - Cream Souffle.