Start at the centre of the face and blend product outwards (Picture: Milk, Marc Jacobs, Glow Recipe, MAC Cosmetics, Urban Decay)

Zoom culture and mask wearing has changed our what we need from makeup.

Around this time of year many brands launch new base products, from tints to foundations – but in 2021, the focus is on sheerer and lighter products.

Full coverage isn’t required when most people are seeing you with a grainy laptop’s camera and you’re only going out to do the weekly food shop (with your face half covered by a mask).

So it makes sense that the beauty market is catering to our pandemic-driven needs – those being that we want to look refreshed with minimal effort.

With these new products being lighter in their coverage, you don’t need to go in with lots of tools to apply them. Most work well with fingers.

Another thing to keep in mind is that foundation doesn’t need to be applied all over the face, rather you can pinpoint certain places and diffuse outwards.

Far less product will reach the ends of your face, giving a skin-like finish. That way you don’t need to cover every part of your skin but you still have the overall effect of your complexion appearing polished.

We’ve rounded up some of the best new drops (plus MUA tips on how to apply them) along with a few long-standing makeup heroes to make shopping for a new base product easier.