Foundation recommendations please

[userabcname]

Could anyone recommend a good foundation? I have normal (as in, not too oily not too dry), very fair skin. Usually I use Rimmel Wake Me Up, however I had my first baby and turned 30 last year so I'm afraid its light coverage just isn't cutting it anymore. I'm looking for medium to full coverage, not too expensive but willing to spend a bit more if it's worth it. I have tried a Kat Von D foundation before and really didn't get on with it.

[nornironlady]

Hi OP - I spent last year on my quest for a good foundation for day and night. Our skin sounds similar. I use mainly Bare Minerals Pro which is just under £30. However I find Kiko Milano foundations are really good for coverage and under £20. Right now they are discounted further for Jan. Go for the unlimited option rather than second skin or anything else, I find it the closest to my Bare Minerals - just build for more coverage. A little goes a long way.

[SparklyLights]

I use Clarins Everlasting. It has very good coverage but (I find) it doesn't feel mask-like on your skin and it's quite natural, it doesn't emphasise dry bits or pores. I tried Estee Lauder one but I did find that too heavy (I don't mind a heavy feel if it means a flawless look!) but it was too heavy in feel and look for me.

You can probably get a sample of the Clarins Everlasting to try from the counter.

I also like the Touche Eclat foundation in the summer. More of a medium coverage, but more glowy and radiant. You have younger skin than me so maybe this would be very good for you. I definitely need something more full coverage to even out all the shadows and dark circles!

(I did try the Clarins radiant foundation but found I preferred the Touche Eclat one).

[SparklyLights]

Norniron - I had a sample of the bare minerals and found it looks good to start with but it settles unevenly as time goes on

Some people swear by it, OP if you do try it get a sample and check how it looks 2 hours in. I found it gave a moon-like glow to all the pores it had settled in. I also think it's really hard to judge how much or little to put on whereas with a liquid foundation you know it's 2 pumps/1.5 pumps or whatever depending on consistency, to do your face.

Wish I was one of those people that suited BM!!

[nornironlady]

Ha, ha very good Sparkly - I find the same of Clarins - it clogs my skin and has quite an orange tint. I didn't find Estee Lauder Double Wear any better but everyone raves about this. Going round the counters collecting samples is the best way to give everything a go.

[SparklyLights]

Maybe I put too much BM on norniron I couldn't get to grips with it really, and in trying to do the edges of my face to blend I found I was putting more on places that had already been done like cheeks and chin... and the lighting has to be the best or you really can't see what the effect is or where you've missed out. whereas with a liquid you can feel it and see it spreading out. I think probably you've got a great technique with the BM! Maybe I need another lesson

I have skin that clogs at the drop of a hat but I have found the Clarins Everlasting doesn't do that, although I was expecting it to, being a full coverage. I didn't get on with their Radiant one as well, I found it hard to blend, it's a bit runnier and thinner.

The Double Wear I found very dry, heavy and you have to blend it within seconds as it starts to set almost immediately. This is ok if you have perfect skin but if you are concentrating on not getting too much in the under-eye area for example (where it is prone to creasing) then meanwhile your forehead, waiting un-blended has set and you have to to scrub to get it to blend, or apply more... Young skins look amazing with DW though. I would count OP as young skin

[SparklyLights]

Oh and with the Clarins - I have light olive, yellow-based skin tone, hate anything orange or pink and I have found the Honey110 perfect for my skin and not orangey at all. Obviously it's all to do with personal skin tone and how it works personally but it definitely doesn't turn out orange on me.

[userabcname]

Thanks everyone - I will collect samples of your recommendations and see how I get on.

[nornironlady]

Sparkly, I will have take more care when applying the BM in future, you are worrying me now! The same for me with the Double Wear, very drying. I find the better my brush, the better the finish. Loving my Urban Decay foundation brush which I've had about a year. When I use something else the finish is never the same. Benefit Wow oxygen is also good but again it costs £25+ which can be a big splurge for many. Debenhams often have 10-20% off offers so I buy foundation then.

[Cakescakescakes]

Go and get a sample of YSL All Hours. I recently did the rounds on a foundation hunt and it was hands down the best. Gorgeous texture. Lovely finish and good buildable medium to full coverage while still looking like fresh natural real skin. Wears well and doesn’t go shiny on me either.

[Hersetta427]

Dior air flash is my go to foundation for flawless skin

[Crazy8]

I've been using the Charlotte Tilbury foundation and recently ran out of finishing powder. I had some bare minerals pro so used that instead. I have to say my make up looked flawless all day.

[celebrate30]

I love Chanel Vitalumiere, good coverage but it sinks in well & doesn't cake or flake, gives a nice glow, itsn't too matte

[SparklyLights]

I've heard good things about Dior Air Flash, Hersetta, I might have to go get a sample of that myself!! I love my Clarins Everlasting but as we all know, the search is never completely over.....

[Hersetta427]

Sparkly - it is awesome - it truly makes your skin look airbrushed but not cakey at all. Love it. I have a friend who is a pro make up artist and she uses it for 90% of the wedding makes ups she does.

[Crazy8]

If you don't mind me asking how do you avoid the Dior air flash spraying onto hair and clothes?

[Hersetta427]

I never spray it directly onto my face. I spray it on my brush (I use a sigma F80 or the real techniques expert face brush).

[Luckingfovely]

Another vote for Ester Lauder Double Wear here. But yes - you need to go to a department store and ask for a colour match and sample at every counter. And then work your way through till you find your perfect match!

[feebeemee]

I used to be an Estée Lauder DW devotee until it started to really dry my skin out during pregnancy. I tried The Originals foundation after seeing some good reviews and haven't looked back. It's also cheap as chips!

[Bluesheep8]

Hi, I'd recommend the new liquid BM foundation, I think it's called bare pro. Anyway I wear it for work and it lasts all day. I will be re purchasing as I love it.

[userabcname]

Thanks everyone! Some great tips here!

[PodgeBod]

I like the Benefit oxygen wow foundation. I have dry skin and it doesn't flake like others I've tried. I also like max factor 3-in-1 for a more affordable alternative.

[sammy891]

Nars Sheer Glow, it blends in really well and doesn't feel thick on the skin.

[yrhengi]

I was surprised by how good The Ordinary foundation was - nice coverage, SPF15, and only £5.90.

[Maudlinmaud]

I've just bought wet n wild photofocus from a local chemist and have to say I'm really impressed. I usually shell out ££'s for foundations, this was about £5. If you can get your hands on it, it's worth a try. Really nice coverage and doesn't cake or separate.

[SparklyLights]

SAmmy - when I tried a sample of nats foundation it had quite a strong chemical smell - does the glow one too? I’m not fussy over scents as long as they are floral but this one (can’t remember which one it was) really smelled strong and not floral...