Best foundation ever for flawless skin?

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

Right, my skin is ok'ish. I'm thirties but not too many wrinkles (yet) I'm very pale but my cheeks/nose turn red very easily and have quite large pores.

I'm fed up of spending money on mid range foundations that promise the earth but my skin looks no different (especially in photos)
Could someone point me in the right direction. I'm happy to spend a bit if it works.
TIA

[schmalex]

I'm also quite pale and I really like Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. It's not really a moisturiser, more of a light foundation. I find it looks very natural - me but better!

I have also had good foundations from Bobbi Brown, although I don't tend to go for full coverage these days.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

Apparently the best of the moment is Lancôme Teint Idole 24 hr. Closely followed by Revlon Whipped Crème, but that is not available in the UK.

I am wearing and loving Max Factor Whipped Cream (confusingly same names!) but apparently MN gurus say the other two are much better!

[SuperDuperJezebel]

I bought Teint Idole 24h the other day - i wasn't that impressed with it at first, but I tried building it up a bit for a night out and it looked great - and amazing in photos. Super happy with it!

[Repunsal]

Right others may not agree but I say try Este Lauder Double wear the coverage is amazing and rreally does create a flawless base. I put mine on in the morning about 7 o clock and it stays put until I take it off at night!
Your skin sounds similar to mine and I use shade shell which is for pale skin. The only thing I will say about DW is it is not always great on dry skins (which I have) so I tend to mix it with a little bb cream.
Others on here also recommend the Lancome foundations which offer good cover but aren't quite so drying. Hope this helps.

[Umlauf]

Armani luminous silk foundation, it is the very best. ££, but lasts forever.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Colour stay by Revlon.

[rootypig]

YSL Teint éclat, Dior nude BB cream

[Crutchlow35]

I am a convert to lancome.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I love the teint idole 24hr too. I apply it with a real techniques stippling brush and it makes it really easy to build up the coverage. I@m also very pale and cool toned and it works very well

I do also have doublewear which I also like but I find it a little too drying for everyday wear

[Loopylu84]

Nars sheer glow foundation is the best I've found-it's really light so you don't look like you're caked in makeup and it gives a lovely flawless finish

Also second what a previous poster has said-Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is great, I tend to use it if I'm in a hurry and can't be bothered with 'full' makeup

[singaporeswing]

I second the Armani one.

I normally add a couple of drops to Mac F&B and use Real Techniques brush to buff it in.

Gives me really flawless but natural skin.

[francesdrake]

Third vote for Armani LSF - it's lovely. I also use a Real Techniques brush, and the finish is flawless.

As a fellow pale skinned/easily red person, I had a minor revelation last week when I fancied a sit down in Selfridges made a mini makeover at the Clinique counter, and the asst put some of their anti-redness green cream on my cheeks before foundation. Not only did it make the foundation look more 'flawless' because my skin tone was more uniform, but it seems to make foundation last longer, and I don't need to apply twice as much over my red bits. (yes, obvs, I bought some...)

[francesdrake]

Bourjois CC cream in the palest shade is also v good for 'no make-up' days.

[Cocolepew]

Max Factor Whipped Cream here too, very easy to bulid up, and a lovely texture. I just slap it on with my fingers

[impatientlywaiting]

Really recommend Nars Sheer Glow or YSL Teint éclat. Definitely buy a stippling brush and look at some youtube videos of how they apply foundation with them. I recommend the Real Techniques brushes by the makeup artists Pixie Woo.

Why not take yourself off to a department store. Visit the counters which have been mentioned on this thread, ask for a colour match and a sample. Most counters will give you a sample which will last 3-7days which gives you the chance to test it at home in different lights and how it wears off. Then you spend your money on the ones you like the best rather than buying one which you initially like then get it outside and realise you've wasted £30 as you'll never wear it again.

[Theas18]

Down market from these lovely big names I've just branched out into foundation from tinted moisturiser and the No7 stay prefect liquid seems really good. Doesn't rub off on clothes etc . Looks natural and feels like no make up at all. Apply with fingers quickly and evenly. No problem .

[MamaDuckling]

Nars sheer glow here too. Also try Chanel Vital Lumiere... Both give great coverage, flawless natural finish. I have quite dry skin though and hate feeling caked.

[PolkadotRosa]

Max factor whipped cream here too. Thought i'd give it a try when my usual ran out (and on a quest to save some money) and I love it. My skin looks so much better.
I have heard fab things about the Lancôme teint idole too - my friend swears by it.

[Onsera3]

Nars Sheer Glow settled in my pores which was not great considering they are not a skin issue for me. I've read reviews on makeup review sites saying same. But coverage is good- not too heavy or light- and great range of pale shades.

The Armani I liked. Very nice finish but the shade selection is horrendous IMO. Eg no 5 I could not wear in the middle of winter it was far too pale but no 5.5 was far too dark even in the middle of summer. I had to get the two bottles and blend.

I'm using Double Wear at the moment. It is a little cakey in the finish but doesn't settle in pores and does stay on. Very full coverage so I don't need concealer. Good shade selection.

I haven't tried the Lancôme one! Will put on my list.

[frankietwospots]

I bought Lancome Teinte Idole 24 recently and am not sure I love it. Maybe I need to try applying it with the Real Techniques stippling brush. I've also tried Laura Mercier Silk Creme, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation and Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus in the past few days but I still haven't found The One!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I love the stippling brush - just gives such a nice finish and makes it really easy to build coverage. I have the expert face brush too which is really good but I prefer the stippling I think

[Deathwatchbeetle]

Definately experiment with different tools. Many is the time someone on youtube said the foundation they used was 'meh' until they tried a blender sponge (Real Techniques have their version) or a stippling brush.

[Greenstone]

The lancome one is nice but it's not great if you have sensitive skin because it has alcohol in it which can be a problem.

lily lo lo hard to beat if your skin isn't too dry.

[Imwoodword]

Where is the as tippling brush from? I bought the Lancôme foundation last week and would like to try applying it with a brush.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

It's this baby