best foundation

[katiekittlemouse]

am 43 never worn foundation in my life, but now my skin isn't looking as youthful as it was am thinking I may invest.
Tried a friend's Clinique foundation which seems quite good.... want something v. light (if anything I have dry-ish skin) that doesn't feel sticky, heavy or as if I am wearing loads of make-up.
suggestions pls??

[janeite]

The best by far is Prescriptives, who match it to your skin colour precisely: expensive though. Clinique are good if they have the right shade: they are a bit too dark and pink for me.

[Bucharest]

apparently, Chanel vitalumiere is highly thought of on here, as are the mineral ones (but are not so good for dry skin) I find Clinique very drying...at moment am v pleased with Revlon age defy (am very old)x

[BobtheWoodmouse]

Chantecailles's 'Real Skin' might suit you. It's light, non-sticky and glides on quickly and easily. They also have a newish tinted moisturiser called 'Just Skin' - not tried this - I need more coverage these days and have moved onto Chanel's Matt Lumiere but when I was a bit younger, the 'Real Skin' was great. It comes in 2 versions, Real Skin and Real Skin with SPF 30 - I still use this one for skiing. They don't come in many shades which makes life easier imho. I know Space NK stock Chantecaille, do you have one near you? IThe real Skin comes in a compact (like a powder compact but it isn't powder, it IS foundation) and a spongey thing to apply it. The flip-up bit on the foundation is rfeactive enough to use as a mirror too for on the spot touch-ups. Here's the Space NK link www.spacenk.co.uk/home.do

[katiekittlemouse]

thanks....
bob chantecaille sounds good, would like to look at colours, don't have Space NK near me (have seen their brochures before get them in the post)...
do you know any other stockists? Have John Lewis and House of Fraser nearby.

[PixelHerder]

The Mac ones are usually pretty good, they do a lightweight moisturising one I think.

I use Mac Select foundation which is water-based so not too oily and gives good coverage. That particular one may not be quite right for you though - if you ask at their department one of the fearsomely trendy young things will sit you down and slap their various options onto your face till you find one you're happy with.

I've also used Chanel Vitalumiere in the past and liked that too.

[moodlumthehoodlum]

I have really dry skin and usually use clinique, but my mother (!) recently gave me the same foundation she uses and I love it.

Its Chanel Teint Innocence and I like it a lot more than I have liked a foundation for a long time. It fits all your wants as well in that it is very light etc

[TheRealMrsJohnSimm]

Another vote for Chanel Teint Innocence here . I have very dry skin too and found Clinique didn't really help that. I heard a funny story from the YSL counter people that they use CLinique toner to clean any smears off their glass counters! You could also try YSL Teint Eclat De Soie. It gives a marginally heavier finish than the Chanel but is nice for evening make up (altho I also wear during the day on very cold days as its slightly richer in moisturising elements too).

[BobtheWoodmouse]

Katie

Here are the stockists:

www.chantecaille.com/locator.cfm?c=UK

Other than a couple of department stores, it all seems to be Space NK. There are plenty about though - never realised there were so many - there might be one nearer to you than you realise perhaps. John Lewis and House of Frazer are not listed, sorry

You really need to see it and try it in real life - it's too expensive to guess at your colour. I was 'warm' for my Real Skin. By the way, they also have Future Skin for more coverage - I have this but find it very sticky - the opposite of what you are looking for but the Real Skin really is excellent. Because it's 'solid' they are unlikely to have samples to send you but it might be worth phoning your nearest branch and seeing what they suggest, there might be something sample-wise they could post to you.

[katiekittlemouse]

ooh, lovely there is one in Henley which isn't too far from me - will pay a visit. Thanks Bob

[jimmyjammys]

if you want something very light and easy to wear then Armani fluid Sheer is the best - the sand colour gives you a gorgeous glow. the next one up for a bit more coverage i like is prescriptives traceless. The next one up for a bit more coverage then that is chanel vital lumiere. I have almost every thing out there and these are the only 3 I would buy again and again - they are amazing products.

[hercules1]

I've tried expensive stuff but always come back to and prefer Barbara Daly foundation at tescos.

[jimmyjammys]

meant to say i have tried everything out there not that i have everthing out there.

i can't recommend those 3 foundations enough and have converted loads of people already!

[WobblyPig]

Have you tried any of the mineral make-ups. i think Bare Escentuals is the best and not just for younger skin I'm 36 and find it gives light but convincing coverage. No caking or smearing onto clothes.

[hester]

I find Prescriptives a bit chalky, tbh. My favourites are Becca (but hard to get hold of if you're not near South Kensington) and Mac Sheer Tint. Stila and Laura Mercier both do lovely tinted moisturisers. Oh, and Bobbi Brown does a fantastic tinted face balm - it's sheer, very hydrating, full of lovely ingredients, perfect for older skin (no offence meant; you're young compared to me!)

Chantecaille is lovely, but eye-wateringly expensive.

[bluebump]

I use Clinique's Superbalanced as it's not too dear and will last me a year.