Don’t you wish you could just wave a magic wand over your face and make your skin look better? More even? Brighter? Generally all-around prettier and lovelier? If that magic wand exists, it’s probably a very painful laser and we’re betting it costs about $10,000, and a new skincare regimen could take weeks to show results. But there are easy makeup solutions that are guaranteed to give you the illusion of fairer, nicer skin. These cosmetic solutions may be only skin deep, but we’re okay with that.

 

L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur

 

 

You know how when Oprah interviews a celeb, it looks like a pound of Vaseline is smeared over the camera lens, making everyone's face look youthful and poreless? This mattifying cream does that in real life. It glides under foundation as a line-reducing and wrinkle-eluding primer, or you can wear it alone to stay ready for your close-up.

 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

 

 

This match-everyone powder contains supernatural particles that manage to mimic different types of light. Stock up on Ethereal Light, Mood Light, or Dim Light—whatever light you look most sensational in. 

 

Jouer Cosmetics Age-Repairing Perfector

 

 

To call it a foundation would be an insult. This delicate cream-to-powder makeup softly conceals redness and discoloration while moisturizing and soothing skin. 

Jouer Cosmetics Age-Repairing Perfector, $34, Jouercosmetics.com 

 

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Touche Eclat’ Radiant Touch

 

 

This is the closest thing to that youthening magic wand…a brightening highlighter that provides an instant perk the second you dab it under your eyes or on your cheekbones. Magical. 

 

Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20

 

 

If you wear only a single product on your face, make it one that moisturizes, primes, corrects, protects, and mattifies. This soft cream does just that. Er, those.