To give up trying to find a decent foundation

[PookieDo]

I bought a new foundation stick today and have turned myself orange. DD’s think this is hilarious

They are impossible to bloody match to your actual skin, even if you get the No7 matching done this doesn’t help you find a shade in a different brand. I’ve been to make up counters before and they never seem to get a good match either. I’ve done Findation online for colours that match but in L’Oréal foundations I don’t like the formula and it gives you a list of colours so at least I have that now

I need full coverage as I have a lot of melasma (butterfly shape across eyes and forehead also upper lip) but I find that liquid foundation slides off, goes weird and patchy. So I tried a fixing spray but this just makes it worse.

Cream foundation kind of seems to stick to my melasma patches strangely but does seem better coverage. I used to buy powder foundation but couldn’t find much of any today in any shops, is this no longer a thing?

My skin is kind of dry, do I need a primer? What one?! They feel greasy

What am I doing wrong? I have heard good things about MAC studio fix and Estée Lauder double wear but I don’t know if these are worth trying at £30 a go

Or give up and just go to work make up free (I do not want to do this, I want to wear make up!

Get a good skincare routine going, my makeup is much better when my skin is looked after. I have really pale uneven skin and need a full coverage, I use Bobbi Brown vitamin E face base, then estee lauder double wear foundation, and use bare minerals powder foundation on top, it lasts all day and looks great. If you go to an estee lauder counter they will give you a ten day sample to try, i tried three different colours before i choose the right one for me, so although it was dear it was definitely right by the time i bought it!

I use Estée Lauder double wear when I want full coverage. It is expensive but you could always go to the make up counter and ask for a sample and see how you like it beforehand. I also have MAC studio fix but find it makes my face a bit oily.

I'm a fan of NARS and mix that with my Estée Lauder double wear so it's less thick.

I've heard good things about Armani foundation but yet to try!

Shape Tape matte foundation by Tarte is amazing (and on offer for £22 instead of £33) last time I checked. It’s got amazing coverage and it’s oil free so no shine. I exfoliate with a wipe, apply a cheap Revolution foundation then apply Shape Tape and blend in with my fingers before using Urban Decay setting spray. It is the first time I’ve ever had decent coverage and no shiny nose from foundation so worth the money for me- the rest of my cosmetics are much cheaper!

What kind of colour are you OP? Light/dark skinned? Warm/cold/neutral undertones? Don't worry, not a stalker, just that I know about light coloured, pink undertone foundation, so can tell you about those - not a scooby about olive tones, or darker skin tones.
I recently bought TLM flawless colour changing foundation, which, apparently, works with the melanin in your skin to match. So far, so good, no orange moments! Before that I was using No7 foundation in shade calico (which give away how pale I am)

If you choose to go make up free and want to up your skincare game, I stand by Superdrug vit E collection. I've used expensive and cheap ranges, and I come back to it every time.

@Ali1612 is Bobbi brown face base good? I'm always so tempted but the cost is crazy

My skin is ok now except for the melasma and that does seem to be dryer than the other parts of my skin. I have had terrible acne in the past and roaccutane twice (poss why the melasma is so bad) and I use Skinoren (azalic acid 20%) at night on advice of the dermatologist for the melasma which does nothing anyway but to prevent more acne coming back. I only wash face in water and use clean cotton wool to rub gently on dry patches and use an oil free moisturiser with SPF.

I think I will go see an Estée Lauder counter for samples if that one is getting good reviews! Is a beauty blender or brush better to use?

Bare minerals foundation is excellent- you can build it up. They do a great starter pack with small tubs of concealer, foundation, bronzer and finisher for a good price so you try it all.

I also recently tried Rimmell luminous and it's fabulous on my dry skin ( inexpensive too) and better than my usual Cliniqie.

Max Factor primer is brilliant for around £10-11 - as good as Clinique/ Mac that I used to use, if not a bit better.

It's hard to pick the right shade. Maybe you have pink undertones if the foundation was orange on you? Do an online quiz to help you to determine if you're not sure. Also if you go to a counter in a dept store they will colour match you.

My skin is very yellow undertones I am olive skinned but don’t tan my face as it makes melasma worse so I am at the lighter end but they are often way too pink for me, and make me look weird. Usually the yellow tones are too dark. Melasma is a grey/brown colour hence needing full coverage

Vichy do a foundation for covering different skin tone etc, I would worry that it would be more masky. For a primer, everyone I know swears by Smashbox and I think they do one for dry skin. Look for testers from as many counters as you can and hopefully you'll find something and won't have to give up!

I’ve been impressed with the Beauty Pie foundation, you choose your colour based on a branded foundation shade you like and it suggests a colour match. Mine was perfect

@Snoopdogsbitch

I used them for years but full coverage enough, I kind of need something extra now

You may well have to go upmarket ie Estée Lauder or Diorskin. A little bit of expensive foundation goes a long way.

Not tried Vichy but it looks like Kroylan which is great coverage initially but cakes really badly so I have stayed away from those

I've heard good things about Phoera. Look up Mrs Gloss and the Goss on Facebook, they're usually good for advising on this kind of stuff.

I've got rosacea and tried everything going but nothing gave complete coverage without either going flaky, orange or greasy. Then I found bare minerals and it was a complete game changer, expensive but worth every penny.

Revlon colour stay for oily skin is hands down the best foundation for me. I've tried almost everyone going and spent way too much money on them over the years. I also like max factor powder foundation for less coverage and studio fix powder foundation ( but it's expensive for what it is, and I think max factor is slightly better).
I also use perfect canvas serum before applying my foundation, goes in really well and stays put. Try using blotting paper throughout the day if you get oily.

My skin has yellow undertones and I find Korean makeup a better colour match generally.

I have similar skin. I went to a body shop party and couldn't belive it when they did a vitamin c thing, can't remember the name. But looks. Like a pritt stick tube. As a primer. And a CC cream to match my tone.. Mine was ' fair'
It's honestly the best I've had. No clogging. No spots the day after. And it feels really light.

Go and get a sampler of ELDW. It will change your life.

Illamasqua skin base - best foundation I’ve ever worn, and it’s cruelty free, and there’s always some sort of money off promotion on the website.

You need Bare Minerals. Loads of shades, brilliant coverage, not drying (talking about the powder version).

Definitely get to an Estée Lauder counter and see if they can give you a sample - it’s staying power is really good. The matching they do I’ve found is really good as well.
As an aside the Primark dupe of Estée Lauder is really good! With EL double wear I don’t need any powder I just use a setting spray. With the primark the staying power isn’t as good so I need to find a good powder to go with it. The shades aren’t great either, but it’s a bit less matte than the double wear and I find my skin looks brighter with it.