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!

I don’t know what acid I would need to use though. I already use azalic acid and it doesn’t do anything

@PookieDo mine is very noticeable on the top lip very much looking like I have a moustache. I've been applying apple cider vinegar, any experience of trying this? Can you recommend anything at all, cream wise or natural remedy? X

Theres a YouTube vlogger called Pampered Wolf who does over 30's make up, highly recommend watching her skin care and foundation videos. Also, agree with everyone saying bare minerals, total game changer, and I also use their primer, gorgeous.

Buy some small pots (I got some of those cheap travel pots from Superdrug) and get colour matched and take samples from as many counters as you can in Debenhams. Or just in Boots or something.

I had a similar raging issue and this is what I did. They’re happy to provide samples but don’t often have pots available.

After many years of trying various foundations, I came across a Chanel on (mobile.chanel.com/en_GB/fragrance-beauty/makeup/p/complexion/foundations/perfection-lumiere-velvet-smooth-effect-makeup-spf-15-p147710.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2YmEv8O14wIVBbDtCh1NDApEEAQYBSABEgKn1vD_BwE#skuid-0147830.

It’s amazing and just right for me as I want a “barely there” rather than a heavily made-up look.

@AntHilda no sorry I haven’t found anything yet and it spread. Mine could be hormonal I am being investigated by endocrinology as I have abnormal levels of some hormones and prolactin

I was prescribed Skinoren by a dermatologist it has done fuck all. I don’t even think you can get hydroquinone on prescription anymore it is banned OTC anyway, and this is really the only thing that will get rid of it but it’s toxic

Everything else is just natural derivatives - I’ve tried them all, spent loads on Eucerin even brighter and it was a waste. I’m just covering it up now!

Maybe a strong chemical peel would do it, but I do not want to go that far

Benefit have got rid of erase paste! I don’t like the new alternative

Boots have given me loads more samples. I showed them a photo of my whole face no make up and they gave me so much stuff. (I think they felt sorry for me!) Some vitamin C powder from Clinique and some much better shade of ELDW, loads of face wash samples. They don’t do Dior which I would like to try and I was annoyed actually the colour correcting section in most make up counters is just green! I even went to Superdrug and nothing in peach. So I had to buy a little peach one online for £5

I have done the facial shaving thing this evening with this little dermaplaning tool which defuzz and takes off dead skin and slathered in Clinique moisture intense, did a scrub yesterday trying to get my skin in better shape to take make up

I think so far I have spent about £30

I am another vichy fan . My face is dire, bright red blotches and psoriasis.
Roscea . Use viichy dermablend it comes with a sponge, you pat it on. Spray with rimmel setting spray .
5 mins changes my face to normal .

Hi @PookieDo following this with interest! I've had melasma for about 9 years now after having DD2 and I'm so self conscious about it. Of all the MANY foundations I've tried over the years, my current go to is Max Factor Miracle Touch, a lighter shade (warm almond) for my dark patches and a darker shade (golden) for everywhere else. It's gorgeously creamy and great coverage but doesn't last much beyond lunchtime Although I don't use any kind of powder or setting spray. Really eager to try to ELDW and some of the others mentioned too. Let us know what you decide on!!

Thanks @PookieDo. I have taken everything you have said on board. X

I'm aware that your post is about foundation, but looking at your pictures I highly recommend you consider an alternative skin care regimen. I'm not a skin care expert but I took some time to research my own skin concerns looking up the advice from the following YouTubers:

Nadine Baggot and Gothamista offer really good & thorough advice. They invite skin care specialists onto their channel to discuss specific skin care issues. And they are considerate by recommending skin care products to suit all budgets.

My skin is brighter, smoother and I'm really pleased that I'm beginning to see the dark spots from acne scars starting to fade.

Others to look up are Caroline Hirons and Mixed makeup.

Anyway whatever you decide to do hope the foundation you've found works out for you.

Good luck

@NurseButtercup

Thanks, this is me post second round of roaccutane so whilst you initially have lovely skin through lack of acne, it dries you to the absolute max. I have to be careful about using anything too astringent or oily so I had been sticking to very bland plain brands and very minimal interventions, now I feel ready to put some stuff on it! I have got some great very intense moisturiser and cleansers and am going to look after it a bit better now

Looks like your making really good progress.

I forgot to include this website:
btyaly.com/articles/

The website includes loads of really well written & detailed articles skincare trends, products, regimes, concerns etc. The articles are detailed but worth a read.

You mentioned using acids earlier, I always used to shudder at the idea of using acids on my skin, but I'm slowly changing my mind. I read about this one today: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50W, I definitely won't be using it because it's waaayyyy out of my budget plus I suspect it's waaayyyy to strong for my skin but it's regarded as the holy grail in acids.

I like Mac Studio Fix and Clinique’d liquid foundation. Go to the counters and have a go with a few.

I’ve used max factor facefinity liquid and powder for years. Love it and it’s not orange!

Careful with acids, I used this "liquid gold" one and it caused me a few tiny red cracked veins on my cheek. Never again!

I wasn’t brave enough to go full layering on ELDW today at work, but it really does look and feel nice! I do rate this make up. I think the IT cosmetic illuminating one is just too OTT for me

You can still see the dark areas when you know what you are looking at but I already had someone say to me that my skin looks really lovely today (someone I know well and knew me when I had bad acne)

I think the moisturiser is the key (who knew!)

Still going to try out a peach concealer underneath see whether this does really work for full coverage but so far, really liking how ELDW sits on my face

I have some similar issues, as in minor vitalgo & brown skin patches due to long term undiagnosed B12 deficiency. I've always previously spent good money on foundation as felt paying more would get me better results, loved bare minerals, Estée Lauder, MAC etc.

That was until I ran out & pinched a bit of some cheap Revolution Pro Foundation Drops stuff I'd bought for DD to try. Applied with a brush, (I use my bare minerals brush with it)It's fantastic & I've used it ever since. Tons of shades & cheap enough that you can buy a few & mix up your own colour match. Again you can build up coverage where needed & it's the only thing that covers my poo spots

@whocaresalot watching thread, have ordered shape tape today! 😊

Thanks for updating! What is shape tape 😂

Ok so I have had a couple more compliments that I have nice skin. This does not happen to me ever and I don’t think I am imagining it. It is the power of Clinique and Estée Lauder 😂

Does anyone else use Stila stay all day? Really good colour matches for yellow and olive skin and literally stays on my face for 12 hours at work in 30+ degrees heat. Set it with IT cosmetics powder and it feels really nice.
It's thick and sticky to go on but I like a sheer coverage so mix it with moisturiser and it's still pretty good. My friend likes full coverage so she puts it straight on and always looks amazing.

It's by tarte cosmetics. I thought the same thing about the name LOL

Tarte stuff arrived. It's pretty good!

@PookieDo @Buggeredpelvicfloor2013

I would strongly recommend for both of you Azelaic acid for the rosacea and the melasma. The one from facetheory is excellent . I have been through 3-4 bottles and love the stuff. And then Paula's choice retinol for the melasma as well - use in the evening. Both have been a game changer. Need to heavily moisture as well.

The Bobbie brown base is amazing! As is their foundation. Love it

@PookieDo go to MAC and tell them you need help. They are magicians and very knowledgeable. Absolutely worth the £30. They’ll show you how to apply it properly and you’ll be hooked. (I don’t work for them btw 😂)