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?

[TrippyMcTrapFace]

Lily Lolo.

[Willyoujustbequiet]

Clarins?

[Malermalergoni]

Korres is fantastic for this

[AlisonS13]

I've used Avon Mineral foundation for a few years now. Like the Bare Minerals one but a lot less expensive.
I like it as you can put a little on for the school run and put more on later for more coverage without flaking etc.
I also recommend Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for the removal of dry flaky bits, deals with the oily bits too (for me).

[EatsShitAndLeaves]

I have very sensitive dry and dehydrated skin.

Generally I find tinted moisturiser works better for me but I do like the Bobbi Brown Serum Foundation and the stick.

I wasn't mad keen on Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation when my skin is very dry, but I do like her light wonder.

However my new favourite is Cover FX drops - basically a Foundation pigment ( don't contain Parabens, Sulphates and Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances so good for my sensitivity).

You pick your shade and simply add drops to your favourite moisturiser/oil/serum/sun screen and create the level of coverage you need - from
A tint to full on "double wear".

It's been a bit of a revelation as I can customise as much as I want with a thick moisturiser when my skin is dry or a lighter gel when it's behaving itself.

Link below but you can buy it from quite a few places.


http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/coverfx/customcoverdrops?utmsource=google%2Bshopping&utmmmedium=organic&utmcampaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=COFX0169F&ctyid=gb&gclid=CjwKEAiAyOOBBRDOgM-K8MGWpmYSJACePQ9CHkz5uknA7cibJJsQcot2K0lvOYljW655tO8Ne7hSRoCMLDww_wcB

[Grittyshunts]

Msjudgemental no I haven't! Thanks for that, I'll give it a go x

[PacificDogwod]

I second BareMinerals.

NHS dermatology clinics run medical camouflage clinics in many places.
Worth another explore?

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Have you tried mixing oil in with the foundation that is the best colour? I use smashbox oil primer but a good jojoba oil would be fine.

[MissVictoria]

Have you considered mineral powder make up? Theres a tv add for one called sheer cover, its meant to be weightless, and work on all skin types and can cover even port wine birthmarks. It's a bit pricey, but then all the ones ive seen you list are big names and hardly high street prices.

[MsConsuela]

Stupidly I haven't tried face and body yet!! It sounds like a good one, I'll definitely give this a go...

[Lndnmummy]

I came on here to suggest mac face and body too. Stay away
Frm bobbi brown if you have reactive skin,
She uses alot of essential oils and it breaks me out every single time.

[indigox]

Another recommendation for Dermablend, although I've never been able to get the right shade :/

Do you use a primer?

[TheWormThatTurned]

Have you tried:

• Diorskin Nude - it's lovely. Took me years to find the perfect foundation and now I won't use anything else.
• Bare Minerals powder with mineral veil on top
• using a primer? Laura mercier is good

Good luck! Hope you find something that suits your skin type.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

When I wore makeup lily lolo was queen. I just don't bother anymore though.

[Sugarcoma]

Buy two shades and mix your own!

I'm really pale so almost all foundation looks too orange for me. So I have the second palest shade of Maybelline and i mix in a few drops of an almost white Illamasqua to get the shade I want.

Also sometimes the cheaper stuff (e.g. Boots No 7) is actually kinder to the skin so might be worth comparing ingredients.

[Rooberoobe]

Ysl Le Teint Touche Éclat is quite light feeling. id ask for a sample first so you could try it for a week see how your skin feels.

[MrsMurf]

I have psoriasis/eczema plus oily tzone (lucky me!) and bare minerals is amazing. I was dubious because I thought it being a powder it would "cake" on the psoriasis areas but it just somehow covers everything perfectly.

[80sWaistcoat]

Bare minerals suggestion here too. I quite often get v stresses skin and bare minerals is good on that when skin feels tight and itchy.

Disclaimer I don't wear much make up.

[Mungobungo]

Another vote for No.7 here. They have several different types and formulations of foundation and the match made service can match Ron your skin tone. I have an oily T-zone and very dry everywhere else and get on fab with it. I've got two different types, can't remember the name she but one is lighter wear and the other is medium coverage for nights out/spotty days. I use a stippling brush and dab it over my skin, rather than rubbing it on a shelf that irritates the dryness.

[CantChoose]

I used to use double wear light with a small amount of the maximum coverage one mixed in. Seemed to give better coverage that way.
I no longer need it after roaccutane.
I interesting that GP's only care about people if they're dying... I'm clearly doing it wrong.
I refer to dermatology for acne frequently.
I appreciate there are bad GPs around but we aren't all arseholes, sorry you've clearly had bad experiences.

[Aderyn2016]

If the mac foundation you have is okay but heavy, have you tried mixing it with a bit of moisturiser? It might help until you find your perfect one.

[hollinhurst84]

Have you tried mac waterweight?

[Thinkingblonde]

I use Bare Minerals, as do my daughters. It's a loose powder which is brushed on. Debenhams sell a starter pack which includes three pots of powder in different shades, three brushes and a tube of primer that is used under the powder and an instructional DVD. I have dry skin and roseacia.
It's really light but gives good coverage. Since using it my skin looks and feels so much better.

[BumDNC]

I did get a referral for roaccutane about 10 years ago but this was after 5 years of antibiotics which all failed. Told I can't have it again as it failed and NICE guidelines say once only. Problem is hormonal and I will just have to 'manage' it myself until I hit menopause I imagine. I'm only 36 so could have another 20 years of having a disgusting face and back. Roaccutane also is common to fail in up to 60% of sufferers and return in a few years. I had 2 years of beautiful skin before it returned.
It makes me very depressed and self conscious. I've seen endless GP's and almost all of them have said to me 'well you know, there isn't much we can do'. So I am basing this on the 3 GP surgeries (due to moving house) I have been with in 15 years and the lack of action. I usually end up googling things (creams) and asking for it when I go. I've sat in tears asking for help. None of these oil based foundations suggested are helpful to acne sufferers as they will clog large pores, you need things that have no oils (natural or otherwise) and what happens is that the dry make up (due to no oil) usually dries your skin out even more, then when it's damaged it doesn't heal well and bacteria get in. It is somewhat of a fallacy that you must have oily skin to have acne - this is not the case. I over produce sebum very deeply under my skin but the top layers are very dry and fragile and easily damaged due to years of failed acne treatments. I can't exfoliate because it causes more damage. I'm trying dairy free now. Also a lot of these products are very expensive to try out also - I have drawers full of hundreds of pounds worth of stuff.
It's a postcode lottery with what treatment you may get and acne is often seen as unimportant to health professionals.

[TheProblemOfSusan]

I have acne ridden oily skin that will not tolerate any kind of oil removing product at all. I use lush ultrabland, which is really oily, to cleanse and La Roche Porsay products to moisturize and treat acne from the effaclar range. It's been quite good for me though not a complete cure, it's under control.

I mention it because they do a BB cream in that same range which is supposed to be excellent - I've not tried it though as I'm a double wear fan.

Clarins also do a lovely mattifying foundation in a reasonable range of shades.