Achieve complexion perfection with Lancôme, Estée Lauder and Avon!

Ever since my BB Cream post the other week, we've had a bunch of lovely readers e-mailing wanting to know what their alternative is if they don't want the colour (they mostly seem to think it's stupid to put a skin tinted cream under foundation or they want something to wear alone and still don't want colour) that BB Creams offer - so I went hunting around to find you the best perfecting primers that are out there! Here's what I think looks good...

Lancôme Effet Miracle - 15ml - $40 - in two shades: 01 Porcelain Effect - a discreetly rosy shade for fair skin tones; and 02 Healthy Glow - a slightly apricot-tinged tone for medium skin tones. A seven-in-one multi-tasker which: smooths wrinkles and fine lines, reduces signs of fatigue, conceals imperfections, makes pores appear tighter, evens out skin texture, eliminates shine and illuminates the complexion.

With a super light texture that melts on the skin, it contains blurring polymers, soft light powders that offer a silky matte finish and silicone-coated agents for a glide-on feel that is extremely comfortable.

Estée Lauder Illuminating and Matte Perfecting Primers - 30ml - $40 - the luminous finish illuminating primer is meant for normal combination and dry skin - to instantly awaken dull skin as well and illuminate and highlight with radiant dewiness. With a hydro-gel texture that conditions skin so makeup looks smooth and fresh and soft-reflection optics to enhance the look of skin's translucency and to smooth the look of pores and imperfections to create an even, supple canvas as well as special hydrators and skin-soothing Vitamin E, Rice Bran Extract and Shea Butter to nourish and perfect.

The light diffusing matte primer for normal combination and oily skin has a velvety finish that refines, mattifies and instantly creates the look of even skin tone with an oil-free gel-cream formula that blots away and controls excess oil as it calms, smoothes and soothes skin so makeup looks smooth and fresh throughout the day. With soft-vision optics to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines and imperfections as well as skin-calming Green Tea and Vitamin E to help rebalance and perfect skin's texture.

Both can be worn under foundation or on their own for a flawless complexion that lasts all day.

Avon Anew Skin Transforming Primer - 28ml - $20 - infused with anti-aging serum to provide a smoother, more flawless makeup surface. Instantly smoothes the look of skin's texture and visibly minimizes pores. Apply to face before foundation and blend evenly  to help extend the wear of foundation and keep makeup looking fresher longer or wear alone as a skin perfector.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

- Lisamarie -