A couple of days ago, on my way back home from running errands, I had a really depressing encounter with the rear-view mirror in my car. It was so light and bright outside, and at a red light, I became so wrapped up in staring at the horrors! that I saw in the mirror that the car behind me actually had to honk to bring me back to earth.

For years now, I’ve been claiming to be a “no make-up” girl. And although my make-up drawer will speak otherwise, I’ve always sworn that I prefer the natural look. And by natural, I mean tinted moisturizer, a little blush and gloss. That’s it. But you know what? What worked at 25 doesn’t work any more at 35. And I’m so sad.

So it occurred to me as I pulled into my driveway that it probably actually takes quite a bit of make-up to look as if you’re not wearing any. Right? That must be it.

So I am on a quest. I’m searching for the best products out there that are going to camouflage the sun damage, the freckles, the broken capillaries and will restore some of that radiance I had when I look at pictures of myself from my 20s. The sad thing about all of this, though, is the realization that just ten years ago I had the most amazing skin and didn’t appreciate it. I abused it, tortured it and just plain took it for granted. But I’m hoping it’s not too late, that I can make up for lost time.

I’ve ditched the tinted moisturizer. Really, it wasn’t fooling anyone. Now, I’m wearing a foundation from Chantecaille that’s so sheer, has some SPF in it and is oil-free. It has nice coverage but doesn’t feel thick on my skin. And to even out the redness around my nose and to camouflage the giant melasma spot front and center on my forehead from pregnancy #2, I’m using their stick foundation, as well, rather than a separate concealer. It’s pricey, but when it comes to skincare and make-up I tend to head for the department stores rather than the drugstores. That’s what my mother did and she passed that on to me. Which is not to say that there aren’t fantastic lines at the drugstores, too, because there are. Have you seen what Walgreen’s is selling lately? I’m really looking forward to trying this moisturizer by Oli Face for the daytime, as soon as I finish with my current one. I love anything with olive oil in it and the SPF just ups the ante.