New tricks for the perfect base

Whatever your skin type, there's a foundation out there for you. Stephanie Smith checks out what's new.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jan 2011, 13:12 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2011, 13:16 BST

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation has a formula enriched with fruit ingredients to nourish the skin and make it soft and radiant. There's apricot for brightness, ginger for even skin tone, apple for anti-oxidant properties and melon to help retain moisture. The pump bottle is designed to deliver the exact dose required for one face and it's got an airless system to help preserve. It comes in eight shades (including Light Vanilla, one of the palest I have found) and lasts up to 16 hours. It's 10.99 from stockists on 0800 269 836. Those with oily skins should check out Bourjois Bio Detox Organic Foundation, an anti-imperfection foundation that mattifies. It's 11.99, from stockists as before.

Ideal for younger skins and anyone with a slightly oily complexion, Topshop Powder Foundation is medium coverage powder foundation that comes in a little tub for a perfect, easy to apply matte finish. You simply put it on with a sponge for a heavier coverage or dust over with a brush for a lighter finish, but do make sure you clean your sponges and brushes regularly. It costs 9 and comes in three nude shades, from Topshop stores and online at www.topshop.com.

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Jemma Kidd is a former model (and sister of supermodel Jodie) who has turned her expertise to make-up artistry, developing her own reasonably priced and highly easy-to-use collection, which has been growing successfully over the last few seasons.

Her Light As Air Liquid Foundation is, as the name suggests, lightweight and velvet touch and shine free, with silicone pigments, long-wear technology and SPF18, which makes it ideal for all-year daily wear in our country. It comes in seven shades and costs 25, from selected Space NK stores and its online shop, and on www.qvcuk.com and www.asos.com, or you can mail order on 020 8740 2085.

For those in search of a foundation that's truly like a second skin, MAC Studio Moisture Tint is fabulous, giving a good coverage but also a very natural and sheer look. It's actually a tinted moisturiser with SPF 15 and other skin-nourishing ingredients, which makes it ideal for mature skin, creating a flawless, protected, softly moisturised finish with a choice of shades that mean it's suitable for all skin tones. It costs 20 from Harvey Nichols Leeds and www.maccosmetics.co.uk.

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Clinique has teamed up with Great Ormond Street Hospital for the fourth year running on the wonderful Kiss It Better appeal to raise money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer. There's a new Smoothie Kisses Lip Gloss set, with four glosses, and it costs 22.50, exclusivly at House of Fraser during February, with 4 going to the appeal.