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Original poster

To give up trying to find a decent foundation

150 replies

PookieDo · 13/07/2019 19:01

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

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!

OP posts:
Chilledout11 · 13/07/2019 20:02

Try Vichy dermablend. I also love Georgia armani silk but it's pricey (but lasts)

MindyStClair · 13/07/2019 20:05

EL Double Wear sounds like a good formula for you, but definitely get a sample because I also have a tendency to turn orange and There was no EL shade that worked for me.

My full coverage foundation is Nars Sheer Glow (ignore the stupid name!). I wear a thin layer but it’s buildable, and there is a good range of shades.

For a less expensive one to try, The Ordinary Coverage foundation again has a good shade range. I use the lighter coverage version more often but they’re both good, and it’s only £6.

shesgrownhorns · 13/07/2019 20:06

Chanel Vitalumiere! You'll never look back!

MindyStClair · 13/07/2019 20:07

Oh, and for making foundation last I don’t think you can beat a setting powder - Nars or Elf. You might want to put a bit of highlighter or something over the top because they’re pretty mattifying, but I’m a sweaty person and it keeps everything where it should be!

TomHagenMakesMyBosomTremble · 13/07/2019 20:13

I have the thirstiest skin ever and EL doublewear is the only thing that stays on my face. If you can find a shade that works, it could be great for you.

Make sure you take it off well, though. Good skin care routine really helps it along.

FredericaBimmel · 13/07/2019 20:17

Absolutely agree with PPs who said the skincare routine makes all the difference. I have dry skin and my makeup was disappearing halfway through the day before I sorted out my skincare. Now I use a couple of products from The Ordinary (about £5 each and you can pick the ingredients that suit your skin). I really recommend the glycolic toner, the azaelac acid and the natural moisturising factors + HA. I wear Estée Lauder Double Wear, like some other PPs and it stays put now!

Blondebombsite83 · 13/07/2019 20:17

Go to a counter. Clinique do a foundation and concealer in one that was a god send during pregnancy (definitely wasn’t glowing) and as others have said, Estee Lauder are good. They usually can give you a seven day sample to try before you buy. Clinique gave me two colours last time I went and now I have a perfect match for the first time ever.

FredericaBimmel · 13/07/2019 20:18

Oh, and removing everything with a cleansing oil at night! My fave is from Mac, but I can’t always afford it, so make do with a Simple one.

Wavingwhiledrowning · 13/07/2019 20:22

I have tried a gazillion different foundations. I have combination skin, acne scars and a strange tint around my nose/mouth that I've always put down to creams I used to combat acne in my teens. I absolutely swear by Maybelline Fit Me foundation. I hardly need any of it, and it does an amazing job. It's not greasy, gives great coverage and has a good range of shades.

Sandybval · 13/07/2019 20:29

It depends how much you want to spend really, the best one I've found is HD Brows foundation (weirdly)! The coverage is amazing, but it feels lovely and light, I hate the feeling of make up on my skin usually. I use a Benefit primer, it is pricey but lasts ages, leaves my skin feeling fab too. I don't get on with it personally, but as many PPs have said, Estée Lauder double wear is hugely popular; I'm pretty sure there is a dupe available that lots of bloggers were raving about, I'll see if I can find out the name.

MotherofKitties · 13/07/2019 20:38

I have very dry skin and use Clarins instant smooth perfecting touch as a primer, it's brilliant.

If you have random dry patches, it might sound a bit odd but I can really recommend Lanisoh nipple cream. It's incredibly intensive and I use it when I get really dry patches, it'll sort you out I promise!

Foundation wise I use NARS sheer glow (it's quite full coverage and moisturising), but for serious full coverage I use Dermacol, I get it off Amazon. Use a sponge not a brush, if you have dry skin a brush can acerbate your skin, and a damp sponge will help you blend better

MonstranceClock · 13/07/2019 20:42

I use Urban Decay All Nighter. I am mixed asian and black so have a hard skin tone to match. I wore it to a festival recently and it didnt budge, really good coverage.

Felicia4 · 13/07/2019 20:44

I have found that a good moisturiser and primer definitely makes a difference to how foundation looks. I'm dark skinned ( African) and foundation can make me look grey or super bright ( can be seen from the moon bright). Since religiously using moisturiser and then primer, I've found it easier to find foundation that matches my skin.

AntHilda · 13/07/2019 20:55

L'oreal infallible total cover if you're on a budget. Purchased it after watching a YouTuber cover a large red birth mark on her face.

problem1234567 · 13/07/2019 21:01

Double wear is the best foundation I've tried - full coverage and doesn't come off if you brush your finger against your face etc.
Good shade range, now goes very pale. Has cool, warm and neutral shades.
Studio Fix is also v good, it has my exact shade match NC10. Full coverage but maybe slightly less so than ELDW, also slightly more likely to come off on finger.
I have both permanently in my foundation 'wardrobe'.

tealandteal · 13/07/2019 21:05

I use bare minerals 95% of the time. For daily usage I have quite a light coverage but it is buildable so you can build up to fuller coverage. I use the original powder foundation. I have tried lots of different liquid foundations and do occasionally use one of them for a night out but usually stay with bare minerals. I have combination skin so not to the same extent as you have described but it works well on my whole face.

avocadotofu · 13/07/2019 21:06

I find Space NK really helpful and they do loads of different brands so maybe you could get a few samples there.

mistrals · 13/07/2019 21:07

Bare Minerals powder foundation gives me great longlasting coverage despite having rosacea, loads of shades and the consultants are really helpful in finding the perfect match. Coupled with a very gentle skincare routine, cleanse, tone, moisturiser with alcohol free products, I use Simple. My skin has been transformed.

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 13/07/2019 21:14

I have rosacea on my face so for an event Ill use a green primer plus foundation, but for everyday, just foundation.

I long ago gave up buying make up that I didnt buy from a counter, even if it is more expensive, the assistant will do the colour matching for you and dont be afraid to either ask for a sample or to ask them to apply it so you can see how it wears for your everyday. Its all very well to look lovely for five minutes but if youre spending good money on it you want it to last!!

I personally found double wear to be lovely but a bit heavy for me (this was ten years ago though) and now use either MAC or Inglot- Inglot is light and long lasting, really recommend it.

Unicornsbumhole · 13/07/2019 21:21

Primer primer primer, smashbox do a primerizer (primer and moisturizer) I then use either photofinish blurring primer or hourglass luminous light. I then use hourglass seamless vanish foundation stick, they apply well and are buildable and seem to last all day

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 13/07/2019 21:31

I feel your pain OP. I have very pale, dry skin with a few acne scars and some hyperpigmentation. I have tried so many foundations that everyone swears by but they just don't seem to work for me. Vichy dermablend went orange and cakey after a couple of hours. Bare minerals looks fine initially but after a couple of hours makes my dry patches more visible. MAC studio fix is fine in terms of shade and covers my acne scars but I don't find it blends very well. I've tried various different primers, various different brushes, nothing makes a difference.

Original poster
PookieDo · 13/07/2019 22:05

@AntHilda

This is what is not staying on my face. It covers but it doesn’t last and kind of melts

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 13/07/2019 22:07

I don’t have any department stores or space NK or anything near me so not sure where I will go for a good make up counter!

OP posts:
QuentinWinters · 13/07/2019 22:09

I use £60 chantecaille just skin Shock
And I spend £2 on shampoo and £5 on my usual moisturiser- am a tight skinflint but once I tried the chantecaille nothing else would do. Its amazing