After breaking up with countless wrong shades, you might think finding the perfect soul mate is an easier job than finding a great foundation match for your skin. And ... you might be right. The simple truth is, there may be no "perfect" color for your skin. When you factor in changing seasons and your constantly changing skin tone, you may not find one foundation shade that transitions with your skin.

The solution? Start blending. Mix two foundations -- one lighter shade and one darker shade -- and custom-blend the color to match your skin. And, yes, if you find a great match, we give you permission to buy both. If you think about all of the foundation you've wasted, tossed or neglected because of color-matching issues, it's a totally justifiable expense. (At least, that's how we rationalize it.)

To find the best mix-and-match, zero in on brands with a great range of colors in their palette.

Circa Beauty Color Balance Liquid Foundation, $15, recently launched at Walgreens and comes in 10 shades.

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $60, has 25.

And Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $27, has a whopping 27 color variations.

Whether you blend two shades of foundation or are looking to find your match with one, it is imperative to check the shade in natural lighting. Foundation that looks #flawless in your bathroom can end up orangey and unnatural in daylight or harsh office lighting. Apply your foundation along your jawline, then check it out in natural lighting. (Yes, we recommend going outside in daylight with a compact mirror for the best assessment -- you want a great color match, right?)

The foundation should be virtually indistinguishable against your natural skin tone. If you really want to try a specific brand's foundation without mixing, choose three shades from the line and apply them next to each other along your jawline. If you have the right shade, it will very clearly disappear on your skin, compared to the wrong shades.

Always start your makeup application with fresh, clean skin followed by a moisturizer, which helps to plump up skin so your foundation won't sink into fine lines and creases (let's face it -- we all have them).

Next, choose your miracle cream, a.k.a. primer. The right primer is your No. 1 weapon in combatting the most common foundation issues, namely splotchy, uneven coverage. There are also a handful of great primers targeted to specific skin woes, like redness and oily or dry skin.

To select the perfect primer, consider your skin type and the kind of finish you want (get the full scoop on finding the best primer for your skin type here).

If you have oily skin and your T-zone shines like the top of the Chrysler building by midday, opt for a mattifying primer like M.A.C. Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment, $21, which also minimizes the appearance of pores. CoverGirl Outlast All Day Makeup Primer, $11.15, keeps makeup fresh throughout the day by smoothing out imperfections and disguising pores.

If you have combination skin and want a luminous finish, choose a primer with light-reflecting particles like Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow, $55.

For drier skin that tends to feel taut under foundation, a hydrating primer like Eve Lom Flawless Radiance Primer SPF 30, $55, will keep your foundation from drying out your skin or getting flaky.

Whether you're a finger painter or brush artist, the tool you use to apply your foundation is one of the most important elements for getting a flawless finish. If you're too lazy or careless, you'll end up with streaks galore. Pile it on too thick and you've got cakey clown face.

Mills is a pro at getting the perfect foundation look for contestants who are constantly getting close-ups: "Apply foundation all over your face with your fingers, making sure to get the neck, ears and behind the ears," says Mills. "Then, with a damp Beauty Blender, gently dab all over the face to blend."

For more coverage, a densely packed brush like the Benefit Foundation Brush, $24, or a dense, flat-top foundation brush (we love the Real Techniques Stippling Brush, $10) distributes more pigment and creates a smooth, flawless finish.

If you powder your nose the old-fashioned way, a large fluffy brush like Illamasqua's Powder Brush, $57, allows you to build coverage in areas that need more or less product.

Cream foundations work best with fingertip application or a pointed sponge, like the aforementioned Beauty Blender.

After you've chosen the appropriate tool, apply your foundation working outward from the center of the face. Pat lightly with your fingertips or work a brush in circles outward for natural coverage.

If you're using the right foundation and applying it correctly, you shouldn't need much concealer to minimize visible flaws. And remember: no one within "social distance" (approximately 4 to 12 feet) will see the discoloration, pimple or flaw you see when you're staring at your face inches away from a mirror. So use that concealer sparingly.

When Mills applies concealer on clients, she uses her fingers and dabs lightly across the eyelids, under eyes and around the nose and mouth. Using your fingertips will help you apply the concealer evenly to blemishes. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place High Cover Concealer, $23, comes in 10 shades and the compact case is easily workable with fingers.

"Creams melt into the skin and become one with the skin, giving a flawless finish that looks natural," says Mills. She also uses a damp sponge to blend the concealer with foundation.

And for the morning after a late night (or you know, Monday), when sleepy eyes are your concern, a concealer one shade lighter than your foundation will cover bags and brighten the eye area. A formula with a wand applicator, like Flower Beauty Lighten Up! Brightening Concealer, $7.98 will let you dab around tight spots and corners.