With thousands of new makeup releases in Australia every year, it can be tricky to know what products are actually right for you and your skin type.
And while experimenting with creams, liquid and baked formulations can be fun, at the end of the day if you’ve got any texture, pigmentation or pimples you’re trying to cover in your routine, not everything works flawlessly.
So on days where I’ve got a little bit more to conceal, I rely on a few key products from my favourite brands to help me glow.
Supermarkets, shopping and deals: Sign up for newsletters 
One of the best brands I fall back on is NARS because it has always had an expansive range of shades and coverage levels to suit just about everyone.
The Sheer Glow Foundation ($78) is a cult classic for a reason with its natural, radiant finish.
Even though I might want to cover up some spots on certain days of the month when I’m breaking out, don’t be afraid to choose a base layer that’s slightly dewier — we don’t want a matte formulation making us look dry.
The Sheer Glow formula starts with a sheer to medium coverage but you can layer it if you need, making it versatile for everything from everyday wear to occasionwear.
I start by applying MAC’s Studio Radiance Moisturising & Illuminating Silky Primer ($62 at Myer) to create a comfortable canvas, with the added bonus of delivering eight-hour soothing hydration.
Allow the primer to settle into the skin before adding a pump of the Sheer Glow to the perimeter of your face, slowly working it into the middle and around the nose.
On days where my blemishes are particularly noticeable, there are two steadfast foundation options from Clinique I also have on standby.
Clinique’s Anti-Blemish Solutions Makeup Foundation (63 at Myer) contains the hero ingredient salicylic acid to help cover, visibly clear and prevent new blemishes from forming.
The brand is well-known for its hybrid skincare and makeup formulations and I’ve been a long-time user of its Even Better SPF15 Foundation ($63 at Myer) for lighter coverage days.
Once your choice of base has been applied it’s time to turn to concealer, which is where NARS once again shows its true colours.
The NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer ($53) is lauded time and time again for being the best full coverage concealer on the market and after testing it out on both purple and red marks, I can say this is true.
But because of its thicker consistency I wouldn’t use this concealer under my eyes.
Instead opt for the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($53) to cover dark circles for as long as 16 hours.
Apply a small amount to the area to start with and build it up as needed to avoid leaving a “cakey” residue.
My current favourite powder to mattify and set my makeup is Holme Beauty’s Empower Duette ($79), which comes with both a coloured powder and brightening powder.
It’s perfect for carrying around in your purse for touch ups and comes in two different colours, so you can find a shade to suit your specific tone.
With these few products combined you’ll be well on your way to flawless skin.
Finish with a slick of Clinique’s Black Honey Lipstick ($47) for a touch of colour and you can walk straight out the door.
