The best anti-aging foundation overall
IT Cosmetics' award-winning CC+ cream acts as an anti-aging serum, moisturizer, color corrector, primer, and concealer. It contains a potent mix of anti-aging ingredients, including hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. It has an SPF of 50, so the cream also provides superb sun protection. The CC cream comes in twelve shades ranging from Fair to Deep.
In testing, the creamy formula felt lightweight and my skin looked amazing after applying it, plus it smelled good, too. It provided more coverage than your usual CC cream and easily covered up any imperfections and fine lines. I was impressed that my sensitive skin didn't react at all. I also love that it has a high SPF thanks to the Titanium Oxide and Zinc Oxide, so although it's a great product to use year-round, it's perfect for the summer. You only need to use a really small amount to get full coverage.
It's not just me that loves the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream. Beauty junkies, editors, and experts rave about it. It's an Allure Readers' Choice winner, is highly rated on Byrdie, and gets an amazing 4.3 out of 5 based on over 13,900 Ulta reviews. One delighted customer said, "It's so light weight but still covers everything. Literally amazing!"
I also recommend the IT Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer, which works wonders for dark circles and fine lines, and is often called "sleep in a bottle."
We also have a full review of the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream in case you need some additional perspective.
Pros: Great multi-tasker, suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, great for all ages, provides medium to full coverage, SPF 50, formulated without parabens, phthalates and sulfates, cruelty-free
Cons: Fewer shades than some other brands, the coverage could be too heavy for some
The best luxury anti-aging foundation
Bobbi Brown's anti-aging foundation has all the benefits of a serum combined with the correcting coverage of a foundation. It also has an SPF of 40, so you can even skip the sunscreen.
It is formulated with active botanical ingredients such as lychee, bamboo grass, and cordyceps fungi, all designed to deliver a smoother, firmer, and brighter look, while ultra-fine pigments cover imperfections without settling into fine lines. The foundation comes in 16 shades with warm, neutral, and cool undertones.
Firstly the black glass bottle is gorgeous. It smells fresh and clean and is easy to apply. I have fair to medium skin coloring and used Cool Beige.
When I first put it on my face, I immediately saw a difference. My skin really glowed thanks to the luminous formula. My wrinkles and fine lines were much less visible, too. I think it makes me look much younger when I wear it. Okay, so it is expensive, but it is worth splashing out on. You only need a small amount so it will last and last.
Don't just take my word for it, the Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation is highly rated by Vogue and Stylecaster. One happy Blue Mercury shopper said, "This foundation is perfect for my skin and makes my face feel like I am 20." However, some buyers have said that the dropper is messy.
Pros: Instant results, suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, has an SPF of 40
Cons: Expensive but a little goes a long way, the dropper can be messy
The best budget anti-aging foundation
CoverGirl Advanced Radiance Age-Defying Foundation is a lightweight liquid formula that contains Olay's amino-peptide complex and is designed to restore your skin's youthful appearance. It provides up to eight hours of continuous moisture and limited sun protection with an SPF of 10. The foundation is available in six colors ranging from light to deep.
If you skimp on price, you often don't get less effective products, but in testing, this foundation blended easily, provided medium coverage, and my fine lines seemed less visible. My skin also looked healthier, although the foundation wore off more quickly than some of the other brands I tested. I was still impressed with the results given that it is so much cheaper than the others I tried.
Covergirl's foundation is one of Total Beauty's best drugstore foundations and Walmart reviewers give it an average of 4.3 of 5, with one happy customer saying, "The texture of this makeup makes it almost "float," covering pores and wrinkles under my eyes instead of sinking into them and making them more obvious."
Pros: SPF 10, great price, good coverage, disguised fine lines
Cons: Fewer shades than some other brands, may not be suitable if you have sensitive, oily or blemish-prone skin
The best natural anti-aging foundation
While many foundations from regular brands contain ingredients that actually make your skin age faster, Ilia's True Skin Serum Foundation is formulated with a powerful blend of natural and organic ingredients including aloe leaf, rose hip, jojoba, and marula oil that are said to slow down the signs of aging and nourish your skin.
This serum-infused foundation is designed to blur imperfections, soothe irritation, minimize the appearance of pores, and deliver a smooth, glowing complexion. It comes in 18 shades with warm, neutral, and cool undertones and provides light to medium coverage.
In testing, I found that the lightweight formula smelled great and blended easily. It had a natural finish and my skin looked much smoother and more radiant. I really love that it doesn't contain any potentially harmful ingredients.
Not only does the Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation get a big thumbs up from me, it is also a hit with beauty lovers, editors, and experts alike. Pop Sugar recommends it and Sephora customers do, too.
Pros: Contains natural and organic ingredients, ideal for all skin types including sensitive skin, free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free
Cons: Not as cheap as other options
The best anti-aging foundation for acne-prone skin
If you're prone to blemishes it's best to go for an oil-free foundation such as Chantecaille's Future Skin. This award-winning anti-aging foundation is packed with natural botanicals including seaweed for hydration, arnica, aloe, and chamomile to soothe sensitive skin and calm irritation. Rosemary, green tea, and rice bran act as antioxidants. It also contains light-reflective pigments to deliver a flawless, more youthful finish.
In testing, I loved the lightweight, non-greasy gel texture, which went on smoothly. The coverage was light to medium and it gave my skin a gorgeous natural, dewy finish. My fine lines were less obvious and it evened out my skin tone.
It's not just me who loves Chantecaille Future Skin. It is recommended by Total Beauty and Vogue, and gets amazing reviews from Bloomingdale's buyers, with one happy shopper saying, "It doesn't irritate my hyper-sensitive skin, it's non-greasy and oily but still feels dewy. Covers pores and craggy lines to make my skin look younger too. "
Pros: Oil-free, good for all skin types, free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates, cruelty-free
Cons: Expensive
Check out our other makeup buying guides
If there's one thing many women never leave home without, it's mascara. It makes your eyes pop and brightens up your face in an instant. We tested dozens of mascaras to find the best, and Chanel Le Volume Mascara is our top choice because it delivers long, lush lashes that last all day.
Here are the best mascaras:
- Best overall: Chanel Le Volume Mascara
- Best drugstore brand: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara
- Best volumizing: Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
- Best lengthening: Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara
- Best curling: Benefit Roller Lash Super-Curling and Lifting Mascara
- Best waterproof: Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara
- Best fiber formula: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous X Fiber Mascara
Picking the right foundation makeup for your skin type and skin tone can be a real hassle, but once you find the best one for you, you've got it made. We've done the research to find some of the highest-rated foundations you can buy, and the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a real winner.
Here are the best foundations you can buy:
- Best foundation overall: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- Best drugstore foundation: Maybelline Urban Cover Foundation
- Best luxury foundation: Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation
- Best longwear foundation: Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- Best mineral foundation: Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation
After your eyes, your lips are probably the most expressive part of your face, and they stay busy all day long – emoting, eating, talking, kissing – so it's no surprise that most women like to attract a bit of attention to their lips with lipstick. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than Urban Decay Vice Lipstick.
Here are the best lipsticks to buy:
- Best lipstick overall: Urban Decay Cosmetics Vice Lipstick
- Best drugstore lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
- Best luxury lipstick: Tom Ford Lip Color
- Best matte lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
- Best longwear lipstick: Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick
A bronzed glow can make you look healthier and feel more confident, but we all know how damaging sunbathing can be. Faking it with a bronzer is a much safer option. For the ultimate sun-kissed glow in an instant, Becca's Sunlit Bronzers are our top pick.
Here are the best bronzers in 2019:
- The best bronzer overall: Becca Sunlit Bronzer
- The best bronzer for fair skin: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Powder
- The best bronzer for medium and deep skin: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder
- The best bronzer under $10: Milani Baked Bronzer
- The best all-natural bronzer you can buy: W3LL People Bio Bronzer
- The best liquid bronzer you can buy: Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops
When it comes to natural makeup, it's hard to know which brands you can actually trust. Many products claim to be natural but contain potentially harmful synthetic ingredients.
Here are the best natural makeup you can buy:
- Best natural makeup brand overall: Jane Iredale
- Best non-toxic makeup brand: RMS Beauty
- Best cruelty-free makeup brand: Mineral Fusion
- Best organic makeup brand: Ilia Beauty
- Best affordable natural makeup brand: Burt's Bees
Check out our skin-care buying guides
Using a serum as part of your skincare routine is essential to keep your skin looking youthful and to keep those darn wrinkles at bay. Considered the superheroes of skincare, serums are packed with powerful ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin.
Anti-aging serums deal primarily with fine lines, wrinkles, and dehydration, but also tone, texture, and dark spots. Some of the best anti-aging Ingredients to look out for are vitamin C, for brightening the skin, hyaluronic acid for plumping it up, and Retinol, a vitamin A derivative that treats a multitude of skin concerns from wrinkles to acne.
Here are our top picks for the best anti-aging serums you can buy:
- Best serum overall: Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum
- Best serum on a budget: Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Anti-aging Serum
- Best serum to splurge on: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum
- Best all-natural serum: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum
- Best serum for acne-prone skin: Instanatural Age-defying Skin Clearing Serum
It's good for your skin to remove makeup every night, but it can be a pain without the right makeup remover.
We've done our research and tested the best makeup removers on the market to come up our top recommendations. Whether you're a devout double cleanser or prefer removing makeup on the fly, there's something on this list for everyone.
Here are the best makeup removers you can buy:
- Best overall: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
- Best cleansing oil: Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
- Best foaming cleanser: Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash
- Best cleansing wipes: Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths
- Best milk cleanser: Avène Eau Thermale Gentle Milk Cleanser
- The best eye makeup remover you can buy
Daily use of a good sunscreen like the Coppertone Ultraguard SPF 70 or the Goddess Garden Organics' Everyday SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen will fend off sunburns today, and help prevent the skin damage that leads to aged, wrinkled, blotchy skin later on in life. Here are our top picks for the best sunscreen you can buy:
- Best sunscreen overall: Coppertone Ultraguard SPF 70
- Best mineral-based sunscreen overall: Goddess Garden Organics Everyday SPF 30 Natural
- Best spray-on sunscreen: Bare Republic Mineral Spray Vanilla-Coco SPF 50
- Best facial sunscreen: Neutrogena Pure & Free Sunscreen SPF 50
- Best cheap facial sunscreen: Simple Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
- Best sunscreen for kids: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50