The consistency of your foundation can help you achieve the appearance of a perfect skin. Careful matching is all-important. Your foundation should rest on the surface of your skin and never be absorbed into it, so a moisturizer should be applied first to stop the moisture in the foundation sinking into your skin. This will also help it to flow on more smoothly, and help it to last all day with minimal re-touching. Once your foundation is applied, there should be no sign of greasiness or shine. A make-up base can only correct your skin's inherent dryness or oiliness temporarily, however, and your skin will gradually revert to type during the day.

Dry and ageing skins will benefit from an oil-based cream or liquid foundation that contains powder to give a matt finish. Lined skins should go for very light coverage using a light liquid foundation. A product that is too heavy will settle in the lines and accentuate them. Young dry skins can use an oil-based cake foundation that is applied with a damp sponge. Apply in thin layers, touching up during the day if your skin feels dry. Alternatively, if you prefer a slightly shiny look, try one of the satin finish foundations which contain tiny particles that catch the light.

Oily skins need water-based liquid or powder-based cake foundations, which add the minimum of extra oil and give a very matt look. Avoid satin foundations, as your own natural oil will add shine even to a matt make-up as the day progresses. Use an astringent and a light moisturizer before application. Even oily skins need this to help the foundation go on smoothly. Cover any blemishes with a concealer stick, then powder with a light translucent powder.  Any oily breakouts later on can be dealt with by applying more powder. Foundation doesn't harm oily, blemished skin, but it can feel cloying and uncomfortable if left on for too long, so if you can, restrict your use of foundation to evenings only. For daytime, just cover any blemishes with a concealer stick that closely matches your skin colour, and top with two layers of translucent powder.

Combination skins should follow the guidelines above for the oily centre panel. For drier areas, mix your foundation with a little moisturizer in the palm of your hand before applying.

Sensitive skins should use hypo-allergenic products containing only allergy-tested ingredients. Lanolin, perfume and preservatives are usually omitted from these as many people are allergic to them.

Good skins can get by with just moisturizer and blusher but, if you need to even out skin tones, opt for a tinted moisturizer.

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