Here's another primer that gets big points for doing more than most. It contains dimethicone crosspolymer, a silicone oil that keeps your complexion hydrated and creates a barrier on skin to prevent environmental aggressors from causing vascular dilation (which leads to redness).
"I have very oily skin and tend to go heavy on the foundation and concealer to cover blemishes and scars," says one Total Beauty reader. "This primer tints my face enough so that all I need is a light dusting of makeup. And I can wear it all day without needing to blot my face ONCE. To me, this is a miracle." Raves another reader: "I have used many primers but have found that I like this the best, hands down. It makes my makeup last significantly longer and evens out my skin tone."
Want the glowing complexion of your dreams -- now? This sheer, light coverage foundation barely feels like it's there but works hard to lighten and brighten your skin. Bonus: The swirl design practically guarantees an exact color match for your skin tone. Using a sponge, make a circular motion following the spiral (starting in the middle) to ensure a soft, uniform shade.
"This is one of the few oil-free compact foundations with a creamy, light consistency that doesn't dry out my combination skin or have a fragrance," says one Total Beauty reader. "If you prefer light to medium coverage, this foundation can't be beat."
While you might reach for your go-to powder to finish your look and control shine in your t-zone, this one will remind you that powders can do much, much more. Infused with minerals that rev up cell turnover and stimulate new collagen production, this loose powder actually helps resurface skin, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while it creates a flawless finish.
"I was thrilled when I used this on my dull, blotchy skin and it gave me a soft glow and close-to-perfect complexion," says one Total Beauty reader. The container's design scores kudos as well: "The bubble top of the container is a godsend for mineral makeup," says another reader.
There's nothing like too much redness around your nose and on your cheeks to ruin even the cutest, trendiest makeup look. Enter this concealer. It contains licochaicone, an extract of licorice root that helps even out red, blotchy skin instantly.
The fragrance-free, oil-free, non-irritating formula works well even on the most sensitive skin, say Total Beauty readers. "This concealer is the best I've found for covering the redness caused by rosacea," says one reader. Another raves: "Even after a 4-mile run it helps neutralize the redness before I apply my makeup. I have tried many green-tinted concealers, but this one is easiest to use, longest lasting, and clearly the best."
While you may think a primer is an unnecessary step in your makeup routine, we bet you'll have second thoughts after you try this one. Not only does it fill in fine lines and rough spots to help your foundation, powder, and blush go on smooth (and stay put all day), but it also reduces melanin formation, which promotes overall skin lightening and minimizes freckles and age spots.
"The pearlized minerals in this primer offer instant skin brightening, and bearberry extract, mulberry extract, and vitamin C help minimize brown spots and inhibit new spots from forming," says Frankel. Bonus: It's SPF 50, which means you can skip the extra sunscreen step in the morning.
We're going to go out on a limb here and guess that you're a multi-tasking type of gal. C'mon, admit it -- you tweet, text, and upload photos to your Facebook page simultaneously. You listen to books on tape while you drive. You watch TV while you workout. And you want your makeup to multitask just as well as you do, working to cover up and treat any skin problems you have.
After all, with all of our newfound skin care technology and big beauty breakthroughs, why shouldn't our makeup bags contain hard working, double-duty products?
We couldn't think of a good reason either, so we rounded up the 10 best primers, concealers, foundations, and powders that not only work like regular old makeup should (making you look like you have flawless skin -- even if you don't), but also go one step farther and help treat the root of the problem.
"There are so many products that are extremely effective at soothing and conditioning the skin to lessen the appearance of redness, dark spots, wrinkles, and acne," says Jenny Frankel, co-founder of Cover FX Skin Care Inc.
You just need to know which products to look for. Here's your cheat sheet.
