Today's the day shopping for foundation changes forever. It's the moment a brand new, revolutionary gizmo makes its debut at 668 Boots stores, alongside an entirely reformulated range of No7 foundations.  (Thus keeping shopfitters the length and breadth of Britain up all night, last night.)

How many foundations have you bought, got them home... and discovered they're not a perfect match?  This is the technology that changes all that.

A Match Made 'sensor' is used to read the exact shade of your face (NB not the back of your hands, which is where many women mistakenly try base out).  How so?  There are eight coloured lights and one ultra-violet light which can figure out your exact tone and colour saturation.   The No7 advisor who points the gadget at your skin will then discuss with you the texture, finish and benefits you're searching for - after the machine's already told her the perfect shade.

There are seven foundation formulations - including Protect & Perfect, Lift & Luminate and Beautifully Matte, which have been reformulated and adjusted as required, based on the real shades observed on hundreds of real women's complexions, during the trials.

All in all, they add up to what we're calling 80 Shades of Beige.  (Just imagine wading through those at the foundation fixture.  Most of us would just turn on our heels, and scram.)

And we predict it'll be the foundation blockbuster of autumn 2012...

UK readers find the Match Made service in-store at Boots branches nationwide;  foundations are priced from £9.95 for 40 ml No7 Essentially Natural Foundation to £16.50 for 30 ml 'treatment' foundations (including the aforementioned No7 Protect & Perfect Foundation)