AIBU to wonder why I'm struggling so much to buy a foundation?

[CheekyBrunette]

Every time I go to get matched for a foundation at my local department store, they act rather patronising with me and always try to match me for something that is clearly 3-4 shades darker than my skin. I’ve been wearing MAC all this while, but it tends to break me out a bit so I’ve been trying to explore other options like Clinique or Lauder.

For reference, my skintone is like say Mila Kunis when she isn't fake tanned. And they match me for something that is closer to Zoe Saldana.

Those who are familiar with MAC foundations- I'm an NC25-30 which I know is the right one since I was matched at a MAC counter and I’ve worn it all the time without looking like I have another person’s head on my body. But every time I go to the local place, they try and match me for something that is more like an NW 35-40.

I always try to politely put my point across and say that the colour they've matched me for is clearly too pink/orange/dark for me but I'm always met with an argument. I've tried taking a friend/family member with me to make sure that I'm not seeing things and they've agreed with me as well.
The worst is when they point to another salesgirl (who will 99% of the time be darker than me) and say that she is paler so I should wear a shade darker than her. I really don't understand it. A few times they’ve mentioned that since I am of Indian heritage, I should go for the darker shades as Indians are more tan.
I've taken other people with me to make sure I'm not overreacting or that I'm not being blind and mistaking my colour and it does appear that I am right.

This isn't about me wanting to be fairer than I am by the way!! I just want to look like MYSELF when I wear foundation and that includes not looking much darker.

Could it just be the local culture where everyone wants to look a bit fake tanner (think TOWIE). Or is is a tinge of racism that I’m detecting here?
Any thoughts on why this is happening and what I can do about it are welcome. I’ve got acne prone and sensitive skin so searching for a foundation is a nightmare anyway- this added stress of difficult people behind the counter doesn’t help at all :-(

I'm of Indian descent in case anyone is wondering (the country, not Native American :-) )

I wear MAC but have never found a colour of foundation that suits. Instead, I use their Select Cover Up to cover blemishes (it's really light) and then their Studio Fix Powder which has foundation in it (apparently).

I use NC20 for one and NW20 for the other. Just balances it out a bit IYSWIM?

Took a lot of faffing at a MAC counter to arrive at that combination! Worth it though. Searched for years before that.

You're probably right, it most likely isn't racism. I have just been very taken aback by the patronising attitudes and repeated references to the fact that I'm of Indian heritage.

I'm going on holiday to London sometime soon, I might try the stores there.

I can be deathly pale So when I say I want a bit of colour they like to make me orange. Not the effect I was after!

Anyway my top tip is to ask for samples. I never ever let them make me up in store now. If they won't let me have a sample I won't buy. I can only decide when I have tried it out under natural light. It has stopped a lot of mistakes. I also find testing it in back of my wrist is a fairly good indicator for the cheaper ones.

Have you tried mix and matching the cheaper bb and cc creams? That can give a more customised effect I find.

I have the exact same issue re colour match so feel your pain. Have you got a space nk near you? I've found them to be pretty good. I'm currently wearing a nars foundation which is a good match for my skintone.

These are all fab suggestions !

Does anyone. also have any recommendations for very oily skin? My skin is so oily that most foundations oxidise on it (another reason I don't want to go even a shade darker) and they tend to slide off within a couple hours.

I've been told the double wear foundation by Estée Lauder is a good one. Anyone tried that?

Oh, this is such a common problem! I'm pale and I think SAs like to think they are somehow flattering you to sell you a shade that's too dark. "Oh, you're so sallow!" is neither true nor a compliment.
I wish I had refunds for all the rubbish foundations I've bought.

Two tips.
First:
Get a full face of foundation applied by the SA. Forget about dabbing it on your hands or jaw and then squinting. Have them cleanse and tone and moisturise and apply the stuff, then have a good look in the mirror and then - this is critical - LEAVE THE STORE and walk around town for a bit, looking in mirrors as you go. Bring a compact mirror. Check yourself out critically in daylight. You will then know what it really looks like.
I found Laura Mercier good.

Second:
Remember that you can blend two shades of foundation, so some of the not-quite-right purchases of the past are not a write-off.

Okay, I'm officially ancient - as I'm the only person who opened this thread just to find out why ANYONE should still want a foundation 'garment' like the ones my MIL used to wear

I'll go now

Oh, mineral powder foundation works very well on oily skin (or over sunblock for me). Laura Mercier is great but pricey. Also think of using a primer; they generally do what they say.

The joy when you get this right is worth the irritation!

If you get colour matched at Boots, make sure it's a big Boots. In the small ones, not everyone is properly trained to use the machine or knows anything about it!

For Black or Indian skin tones, I have heard that both Mac, as you discovered, or Bobbi Brown are the business. If you are coming to London, try Selfridges Bare Minerals counter, as well. I am not sure what their shading is like, but the product is actually very good for blemish problems.

You could try taking the Mac foundation that is the correct colour match you like with you to the other counters to show them the colour/tone you are happy wearing to give them an idea of what looks good on you. Then if they try to give a a much darker shade you can swatch the two side by side to prove its too dark :) I have this issue all the time I am very very pale and most brands don't do a shade light enough but They still try to sell me darker shades.

OP - I'm if Indian descent but pale as they come (i glow...) BUT I have yellow tones to my skin as a result.

Struggled for ages til I found Bobbi Brown who pointed this out to me and they were right. Also, do you need foundation? I always prefer a tinted moisturiser for something that gently evens the tones without a uniform colour anyway.

I am also very pale and cannot find anything light enough. Agree with sales assistants wanting to sell you a shade too dark. I get sold stuff that will "give me glow" - and end up orange.

Have given up and now use a "blurring" moisturiser.

Ah, foundation can be such a nightmare! I'm a fairly boring shade of caucasian but have always had to tell sales assistantsnot to make me orange.

I completely agree with vilainousbroodmare always get your whole face done but resist the hard sell and tell them if you are still happy with the way the foundation looks by the end of the day you will be back to buy later/next day. Ignore any pressure they put on you and just brazen it out, any sales assistant worth their salt will completely understand.

What area do you live in? I'm in the north east and never go to the make up counters in my town or even in my closest city. I always go to the biggest department store in the biggest local city as the staff there seem to be the best trained.

As for oily skin MAC primers are amazing. I never got on with their foundation but using their primer meant that my very oily face stayed just nicely luminous all day.

Try this website for matching matchmymakeup.com/
Find one that like texture of and buy online.

OP, I'm of mixed heritage and it think the problem is that most people do like their foundation go be slightly darker and some of the brands don't cater for darker skins very well.

If you aren't happy with what they are offering, try the various shades yourself without their help.

Best tip I've ever been given is to match the foundation to your collarbone. That way, your face, neck and chest end up the same colour and you don't end up having to paint the rest of you.

If you know what shade you are in MAC, have a look on temptalia or findation which are a foundation matrix and give you a good idea of what shade you would be in other brands.

Have you thought about Dior? They do a skin matching too. I've got their nude Diorskin BB cream and their star foundation - both fab!!!!!

I can second Illasmasqua - I'm very fair and find them fab. It was actually a (pale!) Indian friend who introduced me to them. Hope you find something!

Oooh, I like the collarbone tip!

Another vote for Lancome - only foundation with an SPF that doesn't send me into spot hell. I also appear to be a completely different colour from what sales assistants think I am and have more than one bottle of 'oh it's orange' in my makeup cupboard - which I sometimes mix a bit of with my actual foundation when I'm tanned, so I guess it does have some purpose.

I don't bother with the assistants anymore, just put some on my inner wrist and check it in daylight.

For acne prone skin you must try Everyday Minerals semi-matte base. I get it online from the US it is so good and gives full coverage if you build it up. Their website offers free samples (just pay postage). This stuff literally changed my life after years of wasting money on pore-clogging liquid foundations.

This is just one of those things that I worked out a long time ago how to do myself. A bit like fitting shoes for my kids - I don't trust the assistant and do it myself

I just gravitate towards the shades which I know suit me and then I narrow it down to one or two. I stroke a little bit on my jaw and the one that instantly blends and disappears is the one. I've not been wrong for many years now. I also don't allow the assistant to match me or anything like that- always say I'm fine and just browsing etc

A tip if you've bought a foundation that is slightly too dark for you .. Apply it with a make up sponge . It'll blend right in and be fine

Oh and my top tips for brands? Suqqu or Jouer matte tint if you like slightly less coverage

I picked the dior one i wear and the assistant told me it was too pale, after a discussion she got the skin match machine out and was a bit annoyed that i was right!
by the time you add loose powder and blusher, i find the paler ones are fine.
I always go for the palest shade unless its a porcelain one as that can look chalky on my skin tone.

Try Revlon Colorstay, they do 2 types, one for dry skin and one for oily. It's just like DoubleWear but a fraction of the price.