How important is a good foundation?

[CatKisser]

Currently I'm using a "less expensive" foundation - it's a kind of foam in a can and the language on the can isn't in English. It could actually be boot polish or something, come to think of it!

Until now I've thought it was ok but actually, I reckon it makes me look quite blotchy and washed out.

A couple of years ago, I bought some Clarins foundation and it was beautiful. Haven't bought it since because of the price, but I'm thinking it might be a good investment. I'm 30 now and feel I need to maximise my skin, which is quite good.

Any suggestions? Should I go for Clarins again? £30 is probably my maximum budget.

[Kittykat7]

I always like to pay a bit more for a foundation. Cheaper brands like Revlon Colour Stay, Boots no 7 & Bourjois healthy mix get good reviews.

[peasandlove]

I always used cheapo foundations. Then I thought I was getting older I'd spend a bit more and bought a MAC one. Everyone commented how good I looked. Should have done it years ago.

[CatKisser]

Thanks both!
I have no idea what my skin tone is so think I need to go somewhere with scary makeup counter and get it done properly.

[FamiliesShareGerms]

Expensive doesn't automatically equal perfect for your skin, but knowing what suits you is a good place to start. Generally I'd say that a rubbish foundation will make you look a bit rubbish but a great one will make you look great (even if no one can quite work out why)

[CatKisser]

Thanks Families. I think the crap I'm using now is too light, whereas I need something a bit... richer.
I'm going to wake up my pal and see if I can bribe him into going to the Metro Centre!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I have bought expensive foundations in the past but always come back to Revlon colour stay.

[badfurday]

I always thought expensive was better and loved Mac for years. When I got pregnant it really disagreed with my face for some reason?!

I switched to Revlon colour stay and the comments I get when wearing it are great. Try a few different ones but don't go on the more expensive the better.

[klog]

I use rimmel wake up and revive in soft beige. It's a really good foundation. Blends in so well, covers well but not too thick. Ive dabbled with much more expensive ones.

[TheLittleOneSaidRollOver]

Yes, get the expensive foundation. Yes, go to a makeup counter. It is cheaper in the long run. It makes the rest of your makeup look right.

I like Dior. It suits me. I am in my forties with good skin. It lasts for ages. I have two (one is darker for when I am tanned). They last a full year.

I have tried YSL and Chanel in the past. They were OK but not worth the money on my skin imo.

When I was in my 30s I liked MAC and Bobbi Brown.

Makeup counters don't have to be scary. The people who work there aren't on huge wages themselves, they are normal people who are working in a shop. They understand about thinking twice about buying expensive foundation. In my experience they are very very good at helping you choose the right one.

[klog]

I went to a clinique counter about a year ago and they sent me out with the wrong colour, it was too dark. Even as she was applying it I felt it was too dark but she was of the tangoed ilk herself so she told me it was right for me. I was lucky that when I brought it back the next week somebody different was there and I got a refund because the clinique palest colour in that range was too pale.

I'm in my forties and still not finding that expensive = better (not necessarily anyway).

[petitdonkey]

If you go to Mac, Dior and Estee Lauder, they will give you a really substantial sample that you can use for the next week or so and really decide which one you like. (Think Bobbi Brown do as well) Just explain that you don't want to commit to buying one without trying.

I am a total foundation junkie but always come back to Mac Studio Fix or Estee Lauder Double Wear (but I like a full coverage). Like Rollover I have two different shades for different points in the year.

[klog]

yeh, even with rimmel I have two different shades on the go. I make a mixture in my palm, a mixture between ivory and soft beige and in the height of summer (such as it is in my country) i'd use mostly the darker colour and just use the pale under my eyes. I can never find one colour that works better than this.

[CatKisser]

Oh that's brilliant about the sample! Will definitely be doing that, thank you.

[dottytablecloth]

I've just bought the Dior Star foundation and use it with the Real Techniques foundation brush recommended on here.

Love it!

[sarsiem]

Try benefit as they gave me two samples to try, a really good size too. It's called hello flawless oxygen wow brightening makeup. I've had at least three people this week tell me how well I look!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Ime any counter will give you a good week's worth of sample. Really worth doing as you can really test it out properly at home and in different lights.

[tellmesomething]

Mac has never worked for me. Id recommend bobbi brown or Lancôme counters they have a variety of foundations which I have alternated between for summers and winters. I also think a good base can be a cheap option to save a cheap (and expensive) foundations I love bobby brown protective base or smashbox primers

[Brillenbar]

I just had a secret of perfect skin make up lesson at Bobbi brown. Have been using their foundation forever and it's great. But what the artist did at my lesson was corrector and concealor and hey presto don't need anything more than the lightest touch of foundation. Much fresher looking. Am well chuffed.

Am 43. I agree that money on foundation is well spent. Have lost count of how many cheaper bottles I throw away, but I always finish every last drop of Bobbi brown. Make up lessons there are free btw.

[Eliza22]

I love Lancome Photgenic Lunessence. It makes my 52 yr old face bloom with youth. I kid you not! One squirt is sufficient and it's well worth the £27 price tag.

[Chiggers]

Watching with interest as I haven't found a foundation that hasn't made me break out yet.

[Botanicbaby]

agree with PP that expensive doesn't necessarily mean the best.

I find bobbi brown counters are not intimidating and there is no pressure to buy, I find their make-up artists really knowledgeable and I like how they did my make-up without looking like overkill.

I think the best foundation is the one that matches your skin colour and feels right on your skin texture-wise. Take time to colour match and get samples wherever you can.