Find me a foundation... that isn't really a foundation?

[CarpeJugulum]

Works Christmas shindig coming up. My skin is a bit of a mess (random spots) at the moment due to dodgy iron levels.

I used to wear Bobbi Brown foundation in porcelain or alabaster which does cover the problem skin, but as my skin has started aging I'm finding it to be a little claggy in my pores and it ends up looking powdery on my skin.

Given my pale skin I struggle with high street brands as they don't go pale enough and I look like I've been tangoed!

So hit me with your recommendations please - budget is maybe about £15-£25.

TIA!

Estee Lauder Invisible is gorgeous - doesn't look or feel makeuppy at all. Colours might be off though.

I'm a big fan of the boujois healthy mix and healthy mix serum, lovely and sheer whilst still giving coverage. I find your best to use a lighter foundation and just conceal where you need it rather than use a too heathy foundation that can look cakey.

Lisa Eldridge had a video on pale foundation on her site.

Liz Earle signature foundation in porcelain. Love it... It's £21 I think.

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is fab-u-lous for pale skin. I use the 'nude' colour and find it gives enough coverage without looking like I'm really made up.

Someones beat me to the Bourjois! I have adult acne (not too bad spot wise at the minute, but a lot of redness), and was using Clinique stuff I had samples of. The Bourjois healthy mix is just as good on for me, as long as I use a brush to put it on. I'm pale, and can get colours to match easily.

Bobbu Brown BB cream. I tried it after seeing it recommended on here. 'Tis fab...good coverage and makes my skin look healthy and a bit glowy.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser. Coverage but not a "mask". Many shades to choose from. I don't rate her primer though.

I agree with the bourjois healthy mix - I am very pale as well and high st foundations are normally too yellow and dark, but this comes in a very pale shade indeed.

It is serumy so feels very silky and is light coverage.

Another good high st one is Max factor foundation + serum elixir (or something like that). This is similar to the Bourjois and also is pale. I think it has a texture of a far more expensive foundation, which is a surprise as I usually think max Factor stuff is rubbish.

If you want to spend a bit more money try Lancome - they do a great range of pale colours in both yellowy and pinky english rose tones.

If you want a lighter coverage you don't have to shell out for tinted moisturiser or whatevr - you can mix a bit of moisturiser with the foundation so it goes on less densely.

Clinique do a great moisture surge tinted moisturiser. It's not called a tinted moisturiser anymore though but ask the orange faced lady in Boots and she'll help you. I normally have to say that I don't want to look like I'm wearing make up to her and she looks at me as if I am barking mad!

I've just bought Bare Minerals foundation, I really like it and I'm super pale!

Another fan of bb creams..I use House Étude silver label...comes from Korea though, probably would not arrive in time..

I've just bought some Liz Earle stuff on the back of a recommendation from someone in MN and am very impressed.

I have pink toned very pale skin and find it difficult to find the right shade of foundation.

Loreal LumiMagique in Rose Pearl is a good match for me

I happened upon it after watching Lisa Eldridge's video on foundation for pale skins.

Shiseido does a good line of pale.

For the love of god stay away from the Estee Lauder double wear - it's designed for the cast of TOWIE. The girl on the counter tried to palm me off with Double Wear Maximum (despite my protests that I'm not really a maximum kind of a gal) - it is heavy enough to cover gunshot wounds and is pale, but I dunno - "mask like".

Double wear is terrible - you may as well wear pva glue.

The new L'Oreal true match is excellent, lots of different shades, for example three types of Ivory, one for pink undertones, one for yellow and one something else. The rose ivory is very pale and matches my almost pure white skin perfectly.

Another vote for the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. It's fantastic. It covers well but doesn't look like a mask or exaggerate the old bits.

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation, Dior Nude or Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser are my top 3 natural coverage bases at the moment. Really flattering on older skins as they don't have that chalky texture that sits on the skin and give a radiant glow whilst providing enough cover to even out skin tone. You can always use a concealer with a brush on the areas where you need a little more help. I quite like MAC's ProLongwear liquid concealer.

Another vote for Mac face and body foundation just go in they are really good in the shops at matching your skin tone and will let you try it out so you can try different shades.

I miss Clinique Almost Make Up.

Another one who misses the Clinique almost make up. They now have an alternative which is called moisture surge which is also very good and very light but is very good at evening out skin tones even when diluted with a bit of moisturiser.