Solution: Wearing the Right Foundation

With foundation, her tone is even, with a youthful glow. A powder foundation, like Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15 ($35, lauramercier.com), is best for oily skin; sweep it on with a fluffy brush for a soft finish. For dry skin, apply liquid foundation or a tinted moisturizer with a slightly damp sponge (try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, $42, sephora.com). If you have normal or combination skin, “use the formulation you feel most comfortable in,” says Silver.

“When trying out a new foundation in a department store,” she advises, “wear it for a few hours and check it out in natural daylight to see how it settles. Cakey? Try again. Looks natural? It’s a winner.” A trick she likes, especially for women who shy away from foundation altogether for fear that it will settle into (and highlight) any fine lines: “To sheer out a foundation that you feel is too opaque, mix it on the back of your hand with a drop of moisturizer—which also creates your own customized tinted moisturizer.”