Deeply Superficial in October

The following is the text of this month's column in (sydney) and (melbourne) magazines:

A few months ago I was talking to a woman who is known for her poise and intelligence and she confessed to me that there was a time in her life when she would sneak out of bed before her husband awoke so that she could be ready and smiling at the breakfast table in full makeup. She was far too insecure to face the day – and him - without a couple of coats of Dulux.

Just as there are cricket tragics, there are foundation tragics, too: women who refuse to let their natural face see the light of day. The people at Clinique.com conducted a poll where they asked, “If Donald Trump was willing to pay you $100,00 to not wear foundation for a year, would you?” 19% said, “You’ve got to be kidding.” And that was only the men. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

Lately I’ve been on a hunt for a truly great foundation, one so I good that my skin looks digitally enhanced, as if I carried my own art director around with me. Where to start? Makeup artists are forever praising the Giorgio Armani foundation, which I hadn’t tried, so I rolled up to the Armani makeup counter at David Jones (where it’s exclusive) and asked Greg, one of Armani’s “Face Designers,” to take me through the range. Luckily, the Armani people offer a special deal - a full makeup for $50 redeemable on product, which is so popular on Saturdays for weddings and formals, that you need to book well ahead. The Armani best-seller is the Luminous Silk Foundation, which Greg applied with a brush as if he were working oil into a painting. The foundation has exceptional lightness and is meant to be layered so, no matter how much or little you apply, it’s pretty foolproof. Okay, Greg took more time and care than I would at home, but I’ve had good success with it in the appalling light of my little bathroom.

Another gorgeous foundation is La Mer’s new Skincolor, which is engineered with the same treatment benefits as the famous crème. It weighs in at about the twice the price of its nearest competitor (the Treatment Crème Foundation is $180 while the silken Treatment Fluid Foundation is $165) but has beautiful coverage and firming qualities (not to be sneezed at when you’re a certain age) and a luscious, dewy finish. La Mer recommends the use of a foundation brush – an implement that is my favourite new thing. Napoleon Perdis – whose new foundation collection is called China Doll, for a porcelain finish – is also a great fan of brushes because they allow you to mould the foundation into the skin without creating drag lines or absorbing oil from your fingers. And – brilliant news! –Yves Saint Laurent’s innovative new Perfect Touch foundation is like a giant pen with its own brush.

But you don’t have to take out a mortgage to buy a good foundation. At the other end of the price range are market leader Revlon’s Age Defying foundation and ColorStay with SoftFlex™ which are both excellent products that punch above their weight. SkinLights Instant Skin Brightness and Diffusing Tint foundation are truly brilliant if you want to cheat a glow. ModelCo’s Fluidsplash 3-in-1 foundation, which includes a built-in concealer and eye base in the lid, is perfect for a more natural look.

If the whole idea of choosing a foundation is daunting, the best news right now is Clinique’s impressive new Foundation Bar at David Jones, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, where you can sit and browse through the brand’s extensive range of foundations in 19 formulas and 230 shades, including some previously-unavailable formulas especially created for Middle Eastern and Asian women. It’s a world first, and Clinique have plans (not finalised) to open a bar in a Melbourne location. Orders for special colours can be placed and shipped by phoning 02 92665544.