Foundation advice for a 40+ novice!

[primrose22]

So, I'm looking a tad tired, pale, blotchy and feel that age is catching up on me! I've always worn tinted moisturiser and recently bb creams but I'm desperate to have more of a glow and properly need a lot more coverage these days
I have pale skin, prone to dryness and annoyingly still the occasional spot.
All advice welcome wise people!

[WasWats]

YSL la touche eclat foundation is fantastic. Great colour range too.

[primrose22]

Thanks, I'm guessing that it isn't cheap? Happy to pay more to not look so haggard!

[NotTreadingGrapes]

Clarins Instant Smooth remains the best I have ever used. I try others in the vain hope of looking 20 and airbrushed but always go back to it.

Cheap-but-relatively good ones I have used are the Bourjois one with the strange sponge ball applicator thingy and the Maybelline mousse one.

I used to really love Dior foundations but was fairly disappointed when I bought a ££££s one last year. It was really drying.

[JudithOfThePeace]

I agree that Clarins Instant Smooth is fantastic. I am currently using a smashbox primer after recommendations on here but I don't think it's as good at smoothing imperfections as the Clarins one.

I recommend Estée Lauder foundations. My mind is blank about the one I have at the mo but it's a light one. Not double wear light, but similar. I think their quality is clear and gives a lovely, flawless finish. Plus, the assistants help you get the right colour which takes away some of the guess work.

Neither of these are cheap options, but IMHO, it's worth it if you can find the funds.

[sununu]

jumping in as I need the same advice..
I just googled instant smooth and it seems to be a primer - is there a foundation version with coverage too?

[NotTreadingGrapes]

There is instant smooth primer, also excellent, and instant smooth foundation.

The primer came out first (I used to call it magic putty- it was about 4-5 yrs ago before primer became such a buzzword!)

[NotTreadingGrapes]

Oh, I am mozzarella white as well, and it's one of very few that don't make me look tango'd.

(I used to like Estee Lauder but always end up orange with theirs)

I am 47 btw.

[NotTreadingGrapes]

The IS primer won one of the Beauty Bible awards.

[WasWats]

Lanacane anti-chaffing gel has the same silicone in it as Smashbox primer, it is about a fiver a tube and it is brilliant.

[Pollykitten]

Revlon foundation is bloody good - I have dabbled in so many others of all price ranges but recently discovered that the coverage of Revlon is perfect. Total convert!

[JumpHerWho]

YSL Touché Éclat foundation is the mutts nuts. It's not a very full coverage so good if you're transitioning from a tinted moisturiser. It's like a second, glowing and healthy, skin! Love it. That and some NARS orgasm blusher and the most sleep-deprived woman looks acceptable

[1996timeforchange]

I didn't ever wear anything on my skin, but now being at a certain time of life discovered Chanel PERFECTION LUMIÈRE not cheap, but lasts forever as you only need a dot ( try before you buy at a store like debenhams!!) also lot's cheaper garnier BB cream , i'm waiting now to buy a rimmel foundation primer, about £5.00 i tried it on my hand the other day it felt fab, i got distracted then forgot to buy it :(

[LadyApricot]

Clinique anti ageing repair wear provides moisture and contains no oil so keeps your skin hydrated while looking natural and fresh.
Chanel lift lumiere reflects light which will brighten your skin and stays put all day
Loreal age re perfect is a good budget foundation too..
I used to work on a clinique counter so I know my foundations!
I use Estée Lauder double wear which provides amazing natural coverage.
Look for something with moisturiser built in and no oil.

[megandraper]

Do any of these have SPF factor protection? Keen to reduce future wrinkles...

[Eliza22]

Just jumping in .... Clarins are about to reformulate/package their foundations and Instant Smooth Foundation is one of the ones to be discontinued (according to the Clarins lady, where I buy).

Does anyone else have a few foundations in regular use? I'm 50 now and find that what looks good one week doesn't look so great the next? When I was younger, I'd have my foundation (one bottle) and that sufficed, every day. Yesterday, I didn't wear any cause I was tired and my skin looked better without.

Second Estée Lauder for being great and allowing you to try before you buy. It's ridiculous to expect people to part with £30 for something which, when you get it home, away from the store lighting, looks bad. Lancome are good too. Clinique lady told me "we don't do samples" and I stopped buying their foundations having made too many expensive mistakes.

[NotTreadingGrapes]

I bloody knew it.

I told the Clarins lady they weren't marketing it properly.

Now what am I going to do? EL makes me look tangoed.

[JumpHerWho]

They're changing their marketing and product range again ? Wonder what Clarins are up to... I used to use True Radiance foundation, one of the first to be branded as light-reflecting, and really liked it. It's not available any more.

[Eliza22]

I used to love their True Comfort, the one in the red tube. Then went to replace and it was gone.

[NotTreadingGrapes]

I tried Skin Illusion last summer, but wasn't a patch on Instant Smooth.

[ArcticRoll]

YSL Touche Eclat and all the Armarni foundations are fabulous, currently using the Maestro one which is lovely.

[Eliza22]

BareMinerals lovers? Why do you love it so? Sorry to hijack. I've always used liquids but at 50 feel the need for something different. Also, getting some visible pores now and the BM lady said it helps to get rid of them. Can this be true?

[Roshbegosh]

Mineral powder not good for over 50's skin, I don't care what they say at the counters. It sticks to moisturiser and doesn't blend in so there is a patchy finish and it accentuates lines around the eyes. Really it is meant for young skin.
Laura Mercier illuminating tinted moisturiser is good, not much coverage but a nice natural and healthy look. It is expensive but while I will buy some cheap make up products that I can get away with e.g. mascara, lippie, I am happy to pay more for foundation. Hate going to my local space NK though.

[Pandsbear]

Right I am nearly 42...and I have:
Chanel Vitalumiere light which is well, quite light and for good-skin-well-nourished-and-rested days.
Bourjois healthy mix foundation which is actually pretty good IMO, more coverage than the Chanel but also requires more careful application.
I also have a tester of the Estee Lauder Double wear light and I will be buying a full size next time, very smooth and easy to wear on my skin. Good coverage witout being heavy and stays put.

Also have some Bare Minerals but can only really use that in the summer when I have some slight colour as it doesn't work for me at the moment.

Primers - Clarins instant smooth and smashbox. Find the smashbox one makes a difference. Clarins nice but won't buy again.

[Eliza22]

Thanks!

OP, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser is novice friendly and lasts forever. I have the oil free one and its still a little "glowy" IMO