By Ms. TwentySomething

Assignment: Go into your bathroom and rummage through your makeup bin. I say bin, but chances are pretty good it's more like a makeup museum.  That vial of  foundation has turned to muddy clay and your mascara wand looks more like coal tar than eyelash glosser. When was the last time you tossed out a lipstick you never wear?

Like any perishable, makeup has a shelf life. The US Food and Drug Administration says that, although expiration dates for cosmetics are unregulated, most makeup has should be tossed every 18 to 24 months, regardless of how great the color looks on you or how much is left in the tube.

Luckily, most cosmetics companies have realized that boomer ladies have the dough and the desire for products that meet the, ah, unique challenges of half-century-skin.

But the freaky product/disco that is Sephora and the leering masses at department store beauty counters can be overwhelming for unarmed shoppers. The brands are unusual, and go way beyond Estee and Clinique--although you can also find those brands at Sephora. But why not try something new? We did the hard part and tested every cream and powder and lipstick to find the ones that FiftyShifters must have for their annual makeup arsenal turnover.

Here are our five favorites, most under $20:

 Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($16) by Urban Decay
Don’t be scared off by the name Urban Decay; this stuff is the opposite of decay. It’s a magic potion that adds hours of life to eye shadows. Every notice that shadows (especially darker shades and those with a little sparkle) seem to sink into the creases of your eyelids, leaving a zebralike pattern? This preps the surface of the skin, leaving it smooth and better able to take the powder or liner, without fading or creasing. FiftyShift Tip: This stuff sticks like glue. Buy a creamy eye makeup remover, like the fragrance-free Chamomile and Green Tea Eye Makeup Remover ($6) from Earth Science  for getting it off your lids without a skin graft.

24/7 Lip Sheer SPF 15 ($14) by Tarte
Tarte is best known for their just-flushed cheek stains, but their real standout is the yummy, sheer lip colors in their Lip Sheer collection. Packaged like a tube of old-fashioned ChapStick, these slim little beauties also pack a wallop of color with SPF. And because of the balmlike consistency, they won’t bleed or feather around the lip line. Plus, they’re paraben-and-pthalate-free and enhanced with vitamin E and tingly peppermint oil for a plump pout. FiftyShifter Tip: For those who can’t break free from a dark lip (but please try; it ages you ladies!) try “Friday,”  a deep raspberry shade.

Perfect Primer Normal/Dry Skin ($36) by Paula Dorf
Primers are your BFF, and if you're going to try one new product this year, make it a primer.  They smooth and fill wrinkles and lines and help your foundation to last longer. But unlike Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion, which acts more like an adhesive, Paula Dorf’s Perfect Primer gives your skin a dewy glow. It is a great base layer and fantastic for days when you just can’t be bothered with giving good face. It corrects skin tone and the Normal/Dry version contains cotton powder for minimizing lines. FiftyShifter Tip: Although the Perfect Primer gives good coverage, you still need a moisturizer. Try a few drops of Suki’s Pure Facial Moisture oil ($30). Although it seems counterintuitive, this silky oil will give your skin a velvety-soft feeling, not a greasy mug.
 

Firming Foundation ($50) by Nars
Fifty bucks may seem like a lot for foundation, especially considering you’ve got to toss it in two years. But break it down, and you’re only shelling out two bucks a month. But a good foundation makes a huge difference in how you look every day. And trust us, this stuff is worth every penny. Nars (famous for their risqué names for shades of plus, like “Deep Throat” and “Orgasm”) uses a patented Polypeptide Firming Complex to give excellent, medium to full coverage, while at the same time promoting collagen production. FiftyShifter Tip: To make the foundation last and to deliver smooth—not cakey—coverage, invest in a foundation brush. We love Vincent Longo’s Foundation Brush ($30).  Keep it clean by washing it weekly with gentle soap and warm water, and stand it upright to dry.

Hot Mama Blush ($18) by The Balm
The name says it all. This silky powder is a one-size-fit-all shade of peach, and can be used as a blush or highlighter under the eyebrow and around the bridge of the nose. Minute sparkles (really, they’re teensy tiny) reflect light, giving cheeks a refreshed, luminous look. FiftyShifter Tip: Spring for the kabuki brush ($10) from The Balm. Although it’s kind of stumpy-looking, it’s perfect for sweeping across cheekbones.