In today’s world, we get to experience foundation that looks like skin. Technology has made these foundations easy to wear and beautifully undetectable. My current favorite version is Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup. It has balanced coverage and finish with great staying power.

The formula contains light-diffusing spheres – probably what makes this foundation luminous without being overly dewy. Urban Decay also managed to work in some skin care. Matrixyl 3000 is a wrinkle-fighting peptide, Litchiderm brightens skin, Green Tea works as an antioxidant and Sodium Hyaluronate hydrates. Urban Decay’s precise shade numbering system distinguishes between warm tones (ending in “.0”) and cool skin tones (ending in “.5”). With my light-to-medium skin with red undertones I am a solid 3.5.

I highly highly recommend picking up the Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush too. I certainly didn’t need another foundation brush, but this one is unique. The domed shape allowed me to buff foundation into the skin. This buffing technique, known as “Optical Blurring”, prevents streaky finish that can occur with a flat brush, fingers or a sponge. It makes the foundation look smooth, which is a huge plus for more mature skin. The dense brush is perfectly sized so you can get into the nooks and crannies (nose, eyes, brows) but still get fast, even coverage. The brush’s handle is made of recycled aluminum and the synthetic hairs are vegan.

I put two pumps on the back of my hand and pick up product with the brush as needed, starting from the center of my face (nose) and working outward. At first I thought 3.5 might be too light, but as it settled into my skin, it oxidized into the perfect match. Keep this in mind when you are selecting your shade.