AIBU to think there isn't any foundation out there for me?

[MsConsuela]

I'm frustrated.com

I have problem skin to say the least...

1. Prone to acne breakouts
   
2. Extremely sensitive, can't tolerate perfumed products
   
3. Dehydrated.
   
4. Oily t zone and flaky dry everywhere else
   
5. Vitiligo- so I have pigmentation patches
   

So my skin is everything - dry, dehydrated, oily, sensitive and acne prone.

I think I'll finally found the right balance with skin care products. I steer clear of stripping ingridients and I keep it Fragrance free and simple.

But makeup does my head in.

There isn't a foundation out there that I am happy with and I've tried them all.

1. Clinique- love the products, but I'm olive toned and yet fair: they don't have my colour. In anything
   
2. MAC- strangely, I can use most of their foundations without a reaction but they're far too heavy and not ideal for the dry parts of my skin.
   
3. Bobbi brown- too scared to try! Love their concealer and corrector but Everything else smells so strongly of lavender oil and I'm scared that'll break me out
   
4. Double wear- hated it
   
5. Lancôme- meh. Not the right colours and they made my face itch (likely because they aren't fragrance free)
   
6. Nars: sheer glow is good. Didn't break me out, didn't cling to dry patches and lasted well. BUT I get this strange itchy sensation all day while wearing it!!!!
   

What should I do.

I NEED some makeup on, but I can't find anything that works

Can anyone suggest products that worked for them?

[BeauHeaux]

If you've wound up with a glut of heavy foundations, could you try applying them differently? I like a light makeup but swear by a damp beauty blender when it comes to heavier foundations. Makes a world of difference as you can just dab a bit extra on areas that need it and it blends seamlessly.

[SandysMam]

Another one for bare minerals powder with mineral veil. Make sure someone shows you how to use properly or it is pointless and keep your brushes immaculate - wash once a week in antibacterial hand soap. A spoonful of Manuka honey a day seems to have worked for me too, plus probiotics.

[NeverGoOutOfStyle]

Have you tried any Laura Mercier foundations? Their Silk Finish (both formulas, although you might find the moisturising one better with dehydration), Smooth finish and Flawless Fluid might me worth a look, I can't remember if they're fragrance free, although on their american site they do list all their ingredients so it might be worth a look?

[m0therofdragons]

I love no7 and allergic to everything else. There are different thicknesses. I also use foundation then primer before foundation.

[Bigpizzalover]

BareMinerals

[ExcuseMyEyebrows]

I have pale skin with a yellow tone, rosacea and an oily t-zone and my skin is quite sensitive. No 7 products bring me out in a painful rash.

I use the Burjois foundation that VoldysGoneMouldy linked to and I find it covers really well with no irritation.

[kali110]

Another vote for no7.
I'd tried them all.
I suffered with acne, dry patches and oily patches.
I used all the ones in boots, then moved onto mac and bare minerals.
Loved bm but couldn't get the powder right and i couldn't fet the foundation on to save my life!
One day i went to boots and asked the woman on the counter for help.
She suffered with a bit of bad skin and had full coverage which is what i wanted.
Been using this for ages now.
I no longer suffer with acne, though do get the odd spot. Makeup still looks good.
Takes me minutes to put my makeup on instead of caking it on

Can i recommend
La roche possay duo
Avene cleanance k
For spots
And eucerin dermo purifyer for dry acne prone skin. Ive suffered with acne since i were a teen and im in my 30's now.
Tried tablets, creams, gels from the doctors and loads from shops.
I threw everything out and only used these and within months my skin was clear.

[Greenglassforvino]

garnier BB cream foundation? light coverage but doesn't give me spots and sometimes I go all day without face powder. the posh brands are too heavy and too thick. someone else suggested minerals foundation too.

[iwantmycakeandtoeatit]

Bare minerals?

[Jonsnowsghost]

I've always had trouble with foundations as as well as the acne I have lots of scars (listen to people who say don't pick your spots! ). I also have dry skin, especially in the winter.
The only thing I've found that covers well is a cheap Collection 2000 Ultimate fix. It's a foundation plus concealer (with spf) and it comes as a solid block which sort of melts when you put on your skin, it's got really good coverage as it's a concealer too (although I also use another concealer on top for the very red spots!) It's not heavy and lasts all day for me, I can't feel that I'm wearing it and you can get away with a thin layer.
It is only about £5 so I was quite wary about how well it'd work but having tried all sorts it's definitely been the best for me

[HeyMacWey]

Bourjois are great for olive skin. For light coverage try their cc cream, or the healthy mix foundation for a bit more coverage.

No idea if any of the ingredients will break you out but you could have a look on the cosdna database and this will give you ideas of what could be a potential irritant.

[Julju]

Sorry, that wasn't clear - I mean one foundation might just not be the answer. You might need to target each area with a product/products that suit your skin type/ needs

[Mummymummymummyhi]

Another vote for no7 radiance. I don't wear make up much, but have tried Max Factor, clinique, estee lauder, L'Oréal, no 7 (cant remember the name of it, but no7 radiance is fab. I have oily skin with dry patches that flares up if I put anything on it but so far this has been the best for me. Have had lots of comments too, so started wearing it bit more often.

[Julju]

Sorry, haven't RTFT but my first thought was whether you should be aiming for one foundation rather than focusing 2 or 3 products on different areas. Often with acne you don't need a heavy foundation, but something with light coverage to even the skin tone up a bit and then good concealer for the blemishes/massive painful cysts!

Would recommend La Roche Posay as they have extensive ranges for different skin types. Dermablend (either their own stuff or the Vichy product depending on what tone and coverage you need) or Mac as coverage is great.

Also, check out Lisa Eldridge on YouTube - she does some really good tutorials for problem skin with product recommendations and also has a foundation series. Might be worth a trawl.

[courtwood]

I have oily t zone,rosacea and very sensitive skin on my face and found l'oreal mineral powder foundation to give really good coverage but very natural looking ,i

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Get into the habit of reading the ingredients on make-up products and you'll gradually suss out what breaks out your skin. A general rule of thumb is to avoid anything silicone based as it will clog pores and go for mineral or water based formulas.

I would suggest using a non comedogenic primer to reduce shine, and a concealer and skip the foundation. Unless you apply foundation carefully onto a completely smooth canvas, it will actually make your skin look worse because it will cling to dry patches. The colour also won't look even. This is probably why you are struggling to find one.

[Wandastartup]

And a primer as above

[Wandastartup]

Similar here. I had a makeover and she suggested Laura Mercier cream foundation which has been excellent for me.

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

sorry just seen you post about treatment you are getting.

i find bobbie brown skin foundation is hydrating enough for areas of my face that can be dry

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

i have yellow/olive tone skin and find Estee Lauder too pink Bobbie Brown I find ok but look in daylight before buying

i would concentrate on your skin, you mentioned you like Clinique are you using Clinique products?

it sounds as though you could be using products that are too harsh for your skin

[pklme]

The Avon version of bare minerals, and their colourless primer, magix. Also BB creams, because the colour is more versatile.

[trinitybleu]

Another vote for Younique here ... my skin goes red and blotchy from just water, let alone fragrance! Been using the rose water spritz then primer and the liquid foundation and it's almost the best I've ever used (the absolute best was Prescriptives, but you can't get that anymore)

If you want a sample, give me a shout.

[OrangeFluff]

Another recommendation for no7. I don't have your problems, but I do have sensitive skin, and the same olive yet pale colouring. They can also do a test to find the exact colour for you in store, very handy!

[wurlycurly]

Have you tried mixing the mac with a light moisturiser that you know your skin can tolerate? Then blot it.

[anoriginalusername]

Bourjouis have lovely olive toned foundations and are really gentle on skin. I use city radiance and I prefer it to Estée Lauder etc. It might be worth mixing with another foundation as it's not as long lasting/intense coverage as some other foundations