After weeks spent collectively mourning the end of summer—a transition officially observed this Friday—one souvenir of a vacation well-spent usually lingers on into the new season: a healthy, sun-kissed glow. The goal is not to get in the way with heavy-handed makeup, to judge from the clean, barely touched complexions seen on the recent runways (witness the fresh-faced Carolyn Murphy, Kendall Jenner, and Andreea Diaconu at Michael Kors). What you need is a stealth foundation: something that manages to blur stray imperfections while allowing your real skin to shine through.
Of course, that s not all that the latest multitasking lightweight formulas can do. Guerlain s fall launch—seductively called Lingerie de Peau—marries a sheer veil of coverage with serious hydration, thanks to its Aqua Plump technology. Housed in a faceted, vanity-friendly jar, Clé de Peau s The Foundation takes a cue from targeted skin-care technology, with a radiance-boosting complex designed to repair environmental damage, much as La Mer s Soft Fluid Foundation puts its legendary anti-aging marine ferment to work. And while Tom Ford usually isn t one to whisper his presence, the line s new Traceless Foundation aims for a seamless finish, helped along by micronized pigments that result in a featherweight texture. After all, as temperatures start to drop, there will be plenty of other layers to contend with. A full face of makeup need not be one of them.