Have you ever heard the expression "You need a great foundation to grow from"? I'd say that applies to your face as well as in life. Here are some of my personal favorites.

Lancome Teint Idole Hydra Compact Foundation ($35.00)
It's oil-free and has adjustable coverage so you can use a little or build for more coverage. It contains 30% water and feels very light but evens out your skintone. It lasts all day and you can buy the refill for $25.00.

Origins Dew Gooder ($15.00)
This foundation contains Lecithin, Wheat Germ and Barley Extract. I found it to be moisturizing and has light-medium coverage, with a slight, almost medicinal scent.

Gerda Spillmann Bio Fond Foundation ($55.00)
This is probably the heaviest foundation I own currently, and I think it is more for the winter, dry weather, rather than summer. It has a waterproof consistency that lasts all day and provides complete sun block as well. It has a very nice, creamy feel to it, and contains pharmaceutical grade and natural ingredients. There are eleven shades which tend to be very natural looking. You can find it at GerdaSpillmann.com.

Jane Iredale Pressed Mineral Foundation ($37.00)
It's a powder but does not dry my face like all powders do, since it does not contain talc which is drying to the skin. It covers very nicely, looking "healthy" and natural, as it is made up of crushed minerals from the earth and as such will not cause any breakouts, so those of you prone to acne might want to take a look at his foundation. Any liquid foundation I have used I apply powder afterwards, dries my face and looks drying, but not this product. It stays on all day and only comes off when you take it off! This is definitely a "keeper". You can find it at WhosTheFairest.com.

Revlon Diffusing Tint ($13.99)
I really like Revlon cosmetics in general and when they came out with this foundation I had to try it. It gives a sheer to medium coverage, but has a perfume smell when you first apply for those of you sensitive to scents in cosmetics. It has an SPF 15 and you can't beat the price.

Chantecaille Future Skin ($55.00)
I love this foundation as it melts into skin. The coverage is so natural and beautiful with this oil-free gel based foundation which provides a SPF 10 protection. It contains 60% charged water, seaweed, aloe, chamomile, arnica, green tea and other healthy ingredients and provides light to medium coverage. You can find it at NeimanMarcus.com.

ERA Face Spray ($55.00)
Who says technology hasn't touched cosmetics? The proof is ERA Face, the first and only aerosol foundation. It took Yolanda Halston five years to develop this revolutionary foundation that was designed for women who had recently undergone cosmetic laser or surgical procedures.

Here are some facts about ERA:
* oil-free, water-based
* contains Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Vitamins A, C and E
* water and wear resistant (can remove with mild soap and water or cleanser)
* spf 20
* can be used as concealer
* lip conditioner (holds lipstick in place)
* lash base (thickens and lengthens)
* recommended by cosmetic surgeons
* not animal tested
* available in 10 shades

The way I apply ERA is to first use the hair band they supply to pull my hair back, position the bottle to the middle of my nose and spray for 2-3 seconds. That is it. Then I pat down the spray with the puff they provide (hair band and puff are washable) and I am done! My face looks flawless, just like a "professional airbrush" you can't tell I am wearing foundation but my skintone is perfect, just like second skin. The coverage is sheer but buildable for heavier coverage if needed. This is such a multi-purpose foundation, that it doesn't matter if you get it on your eyelids, eyelashes or lips. All bases are covered with ERA Spray foundation! This foundation wears beautifully even in hot weather; as a matter of fact, ERA stays put until you remove it. Here's a bonus: you can also use ERA on your legs and it looks better than any self-tanner I have tried to date. This is the first one size fits all foundation I have ever tried thus far. ERA Face Spray foundation is $55 and comes with hair band and puff. You can find it at ClassifiedCosmetics.com.