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Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Powder Foundation ($32)

Why we love it : Provides everything a pressed-powder foundation should, and excels in each area. The talc-based formula feels buttery smooth and blends on like a second skin, plus comes in several excellent shades.  Find it!

What we said : The slightly dry, non-chalky matte finish is ideal for normal to very oily skin, and this provides light to medium coverage that doesn’t mask skin but does make it look refined and polished. The only questionable colors are the slightly orange 209 Warm Beige and the slightly peach 214 Dark Beige. Shades 216 Caramel and 218 Chocolate are beautiful for darker skin tones or used as matte bronzing powders. Shade 200 Beige Opalescent has a soft shine that will magnify oily areas. This powder foundation does contain fragrance.

Make Up For Ever Sculpting Blush Powder Blush ($24)

Why we love it : Gossamer smooth texture and applies evenly; Almost all of the colors are matte but still beautifully enliven skin, and the pigmentation is strong.  Find it!

What we said : This ranks as Make Up For Ever’s best lineup of powder blush in the last ten years. Shade #2 Matte Blue Pink is the faintest hint of pink and won’t show up as “blush” even on someone with very fair skin (but it’s OK as a highlighting powder). Shades #24 Matte Fawn, #26 Matte Sienna, and #28 Brown Brick are workable warm-toned hues for women of color.

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara ($7.79)

Why we love it : Rubber-bristled brush produces expertly defined lashes that are long, moderately thick, and softly curled.  Find it!

What we said : It requires a bit more patience than usual during application, but the rewards are great. Clumping is barely an issue, and when it does occur, the brush allows nimble comb-through for a clean result. Although there are more dramatic mascaras available (such as L’Oreal Volume Shocking Mascara), this is definitely a top choice, and it wears without a hitch.

Maybelline New York Dream Matte Face Powder ($7.99)

Why we love it : Silky-smooth yet dry texture that allows it to make good on its claim of providing an air-soft matte finish; ideal for normal to very oily skin.

What we said : Application is sheer, and applying more doesn’t lend a thick, powdery look (though it can make skin look dull, so do use some restraint). Eight shades are available, all of which are beautiful and include options for very fair to tan skin tones. Well done!

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($8.99)

Why we love it : A dual-sided product offering an excellent liquid concealer and coordinating soft shimmer highlighter. Remarkable results, including even coverage.

What we said : The concealer has a supremely lightweight texture that is easy to apply, but blending must be quick because it sets to a creaseless matte finish in short order. Coverage-wise, this really excels. It’s meant to camouflage “adult imperfections” such as discolorations from the sun or broken capillaries, and does so without calling attention to itself. The highlighter has a thinner texture, more slip (so you have more time to blend), and offers a sheer finish with a hint of shine. It is ideal for highlighting small areas and may be used around the eyes. Among the four shade duos, only Medium falls short because it’s borderline peach.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin GlowSheers SPF 30 ($12.25)

Why we love it : Excellent tinted moisturizer with a feather-light texture that glides over skin and sets to a soft matte (in feel) finish. Left behind are almost translucent color and a soft, natural-looking glow. Sunscreen includes titanium dioxide for UVA protection.  Find it!

What we said : This reaffirms my faith that when Neutrogena wants to create a spectacularly convenient, skin-loving product they really come through! This very sheer, tinted moisturizer is ideal for normal to slightly oily skin. The glow this leaves makes oily areas appear oilier, but if that’s not a cause for concern (or if you have slightly dry skin) this will be perfect. The base has several antioxidants to help keep skin protected. One caution: The Bronze Glow shade does not offer contain any UVA-protecting ingredients (meaning titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone) and should be avoided. The other five shades are all recommended, but consider Light carefully because it is slightly peach, though it’s likely too sheer to matter.

Prescriptives Perfect Every Line Gel Eyeliner ($17.50)

Why we love it : Another gel eyeliner that applies easily, sets quickly, and wears all day without a hitch, even if you have oily eyelids. This version is comparable to but costs more than gel eyeliners from Clinique, M.A.C., L’Oreal HIP, and Paula’s Choice.  Find it!

What we said : Prescriptives has their version of Lauder-owned Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel Eyeliner ($19), just as Lauder-owned Clinique and M.A.C. do, with M.A.C.’s being the least expensive. All of these are outstanding options for lining the eyes with color that won’t smear, fade, or flake once set—even if you have oily eyelids. This version has the same ultra-smooth application, quick-dry finish, and comes off only when you want it to—have an oil- or silicone-based makeup remover handy. Licorice and Cocoa are classic black and brown shades without shine; Eggplant has a metallic purple sheen; and Sage has an olive-green base with khaki shimmer. One caution: The Fine Lining Brush Prescriptives recommends using with this liner isn’t as good as the eyelining brush options from Bobbi Brown or M.A.C., so be sure you’re comfortable with using it before purchasing.

Prescriptives Groom Stick for Brows ($18.50)

Why we love it : Several qualities that make it one of the best brow pencils at any price; automatic pencil with a great application, smooth texture, and a powder-dry finish that smears only with considerable effort.  Find it!

What we said : The available shades are best for dark blonde to brunette brows, and this distinguishes itself as one of the better brow pencil options at any price. As a bonus, the opposite end of the pencil has a round brush to groom brows and soften the color.

Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara ($7.99)

Why we love it : Promises lashes that are curvier, fuller, and longer, and it really delivers! You’ll also get noticeably thick lashes and flake-free wear.  Find it!

What we said : This proves Revlon’s Fabulash Mascara wasn’t just a fluke—they are steadily improving their previously average mascaras. 3D Extreme Mascara has a patented brush in which two-thirds of the bristles are short and densely packed, while the other one-third are longer bristles with wider spacing. The result is immediate thickness, buildable length, and, yes, a curvy finish that can get quite dramatic with subsequent coats. The formula wears well and removes easily with a water-soluble cleanser.

Rimmel Eye Magnifier Eye Opening Mascara ($6.49)

Why we love it : Rubber-bristled brush produces a softly fringed panoramic sweep of lashes that makes for dramatic results.  Find it!

What we said : Proclaims to “lift lashes vertically by 70%” thanks to its Verti-lift brush, but who wants lashes that go vertical when the most attractive look is a panoramic sweep of softly fringed lashes? Luckily this mascara gets very close to that goal, and quickly, too. Working the rubber-bristled brush through lashes produces minor clumping, but that’s the tradeoff for the dramatic results you get with this mascara. The clumps smooth out quickly and more strokes separate lashes nicely while increasing thickness and, to a lesser extent, length.

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