'This $30 foundation is my go-to for covering pigmentation on my over 40s skin.'

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I had never been a foundation girl. Except when I was 8 and wore it as stage makeup for ballet concerts.

It's just too thick. I hadn't wanted that much coverage. I could always get away with a spot of concealer and a tinted moisturiser for light coverage with a dewy glow.

Then I entered my forties and the game changed. My skin changed.

Watch: Our experts call "Hack" or "Hype" on popular foundations. Post continues below.

When tinted moisturiser stops being enough.

Not only are my dark circles getting darker and harder to cover, but the struggle with pigmentation is real.

No matter how many hats, zinc and SPF50+ sunscreen I wear, during the warmer months, sun damage is no joke.

I get brown speckled smatterings on one side of my cheekbones and around my chin. Why, though?

I also find, naturally with age, that my skin tone just isn't as even. I get redness around my nostrils and that lick of tinted moisturiser just isn't cutting the mustard anymore.

L-R: (brave) no make-up, tinted moisturiser only, and ta-da! Cheap foundation results.

My budget-friendly foundation discovery.

To dip my toe in the foundation fountain, I didn't want to splash cash on it. I found one that came in a handy on-the-go pot with a sponge (maybe because it reminded me of the one I used all those years ago at ballet concerts?).

But also because I didn't want to use it all over my face, just as extra support in those problematic areas.

My dream team combo.

I first start with my Weleda Skin Food Light moisturiser as a primer, which is $29.95. (You can read about why my make-up artist raves about this glowy little trick of the trade here.)

The tinted moisturiser I use underneath as a daily base is Laura Mercier Skin Tint Natural Dewy. It gives that dewy no-makeup-makeup look with sheer coverage and lightweight hydration, and retails for $86.

Then my cheap under-$30 secret? Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle Defying Foundation.

I've been using it for about a year now and nearly need a new one.

Because I'm an easy, breezy, beautiful Covergirl. (If you're reading this, you're likely at an age where you recall the slogan.)

A very well-loved product (faded label) and nearly empty! With a touch of liquid blush and we are good to go.

What makes it work for mature skin.

As well as makeup coverage, it contains a hyaluronic complex that plumps and hydrates and vitamin C to brighten and clarify tone and texture.

It literally comes in a swirl of skincare and makeup, so when you use the sponge, it collects them both and blends them together.

Because it's smooth and creamy with those skincare ingredients, it doesn't tend to settle into fine lines. It glides on with a silky satin finish.

The formula is designed to blur and soften the look of fine lines, rather than settling into them ( a common issue with heavier foundations on more mature skin).

Unlike some foundations that can feel heavy or cakey, it has a creamy, lightweight texture that blends easily and feels comfortable throughout the day.

As well as helping to cover the pigmentation I get from the sun, it has that additional handy SPF20 to help prevent future UV damage.

And the clincher? It stays put all day. I need to make sure I thoroughly remove it with cleanser at night — that's how you know it doesn't magically disappear during the day.

Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle Defying Foundation, $29.95.

Image: Priceline

The verdict.

I'm not abandoning my beloved dewy tinted moisturiser; it's still my all-over base. But for those areas that need a little extra love (hello, dark circles and sun spots), this budget-friendly foundation has become my secret weapon.

It's hydrating, has that beautiful silky satin finish and comes packed with skincare ingredients that actually benefit your skin. Plus, at under $30, it won't break the bank.

Sometimes the best beauty discoveries aren't about finding the most expensive product — they're about finding what actually works for your changing skin.

And for me, in my forties, that meant finally giving foundation a second chance.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

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Feature Image: Supplied.

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