Moisturizer with Sunscreen
Use it every single day, rain or shine. For extra protection against free-radical damage, look for a daily moisturizer that also has antioxidants (like vitamins C and E).
Great Bets: Aveeno Positively Ageless + Antioxidants SPF 42 ($20; drugstores); Clinique Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer Very Dry to Dry ($44;
Clinique.com).
Moisturizer with Retinol
For nighttime, dermatologists recommend a moisturizer with retinol, the gold standard antiaging ingredient. Apply it before bed to reduce fine lines and even out discoloration.
Great Bets: Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Night ($45;
VichyUSA.com); Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion ($75;
Sephora.com).
Body Moisturizer
A good, full-service choice should contain the excellent, not-too-heavy humectant glycerin. "Apply it when your skin is still damp from the shower," says Leslie Baumann, MD, author of The Skin Type Solution.
Great Bets: Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Skin-Fortifying Body Lotion ($10; drugstores); Nivea Happy Sensation Body Lotion ($6; drugstores).
Concealer
The right formula will hide undereye circles as well as blemishes and dark spots. Concealers that come in sticks are usually a good choice—creamy enough to blend under the eyes but dry enough to keep a pimple under wraps all day. Look for a shade that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. (If you go a shade lighter, it will work well under your eyes but could accentuate a blemish.)
Great Bets: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer ($70; department stores); CoverGirl Smoothers Concealer ($6.50; drugstores).
Lip Balm
Your lips require a waxy balm to stay hydrated because they have a dry keratin layer on their surface. A balm that contains shea butter seals in moisture most effectively.
Great Bets: Burt's Bees Medicated Lip Balm ($4; drugstores); Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter ($4; Walgreens).
Lipcolor
You really need only two options: a neutral pink gloss for day, a deeper red to dress you up for night.
Great Bets: Maybelline New York Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Cherry Bloom ($6; drugstores); Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lipstick in Stay Cranberry ($23;
EsteeLauder.com).
Blush
Rosy cheeks suggest robust health, a quality we all find attractive. A cream blush is an easy way to fake them. It has a natural sheen, and won't settle into fine lines.
Great Bets: Revlon Cream Blush ($10; drugstores); Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush ($24;
ElizabethArden.com).
Mascara
Two coats leave your eyes looking larger, your face more "finished." "Volumizing formulas give you the most bang for your buck because they make lashes appear not just longer and darker but also thicker," says makeup artist Mally Roncal.
Great Bets: Rimmel Max Volume Flash Mascara ($7; drugstores); Lancôme Hypnôse Drama ($25,
Lancome-USA.com).
Eyelash Curler
"Turning up lashes makes them look longer," says New York City makeup artist Troy Surratt. "It also lets more light hit the eyes, so your irises have more sparkle."
Great Bets: E.L.F. Studio Eyelash Curler ($3;
EyesLipsFace.com); Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($19;
ShuUemura-USA.com).
Next: 8 add-ons that give you extra oomph
