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 have very oily, acne prone fluro white skin. I love Bobbi Brown, but only in shade 00 since anything else is too yellow (this could be helpful for you?), get the skin foundation - it's quite buildable. I second YSL and Illamasqua, have you ever tried NARS? they have a lot of good shades as well. If you're in London then I suggest a morning in the John Lewis beauty hall, also about leaving the shop and looking at your skin outside.

It is annoying when the sales assistants want to completely change you - they always try and put me in very pale lipstick/lipgloss which looks ridiculous - apparently having naturally dark lips and pale skin is not ok.

I don;t know about shades, but the maybelline BB cream with salicilic (sp?) acid in it is pretty good, for coverage and longevity and it has helpful active ingredients in it.

Bourjois is also really good I find - made in the same factories as Chanel but cheaper!

I'm pale and use Benefit make up, it's lovely. I'm quite addicted to their range.

I would have heartily recommended Estée Lauder until quite recently when they started testing on animals again. I'm quite pale and I've just discovered the new Bare Minerals liquid foundation. It includes a serum and an SPF, you just need a tiny bit and it's amazing! I use the Bare Linen shade.

Like you I have oily skin. However I'm very very pale and I'm always matched darker too.

Double wear I found very heavy and broke out in spots as I also did with MAC.

For a night out I like YSL touche éclat foundation it's quite light coverage although I find I must use a brush rather than sponge otherwise it's too heavy and looks orange on me.

What about bare minerals? Very light and much easier to match than liquid foundations. The starter packs are good plus loads of good you tube tutorials for applying it. Less is certainly more with it. Oh and it doesn't give me spots!

I bought Bare Minerals and it sort of clotted into lumps on my skin after half an hour, which other mineral powder foundations have never done. I'll never forget it; I arrived somewhere, glanced swiftly in the rear view mirror as I was about to get out of the car, and actually had to go home as I couldn't fix my face and had nothing much to remove it with either! So that would have failed the "leave the store" test.

Mineral powder foundations in general are very easy and foolproof though, breathable and matt. Love 'em.

Teint idol by lancome is bullet proof. Put on with a brush it lasts all day. Found mineral makeup never stayed

Op try findation.com.
It gives you closest matches, so when you start looking at a brand you have a reference point.