Ever returned foundation because its useless???

[DorsetLass]

Bought Estée Lauder double wear last week - colour matched by Estée Lauder counter in debenahms. What a waste of good money! It's really rubbish, no coverage, lasts hardly any fine at all. If it was a a faulty product would normally return it - can we do the same for makeup???

Firstly - yes, you can probably return it (I have in the past used the "not as described" and "not of sufficient quality" parts of the SOGA for that purpose, with success).

Secondly - I've used that foundation before and I'm really surprised that you've had that problem with it, as I have found the coverage to be excellent and very long-lasting (even in daylight and on a very long, hot day out). Just to check, have you: shaken the bottle before use; applied with a foundation brush (makes a huge difference); set with translucent powder (again, makes a huge difference)? Good application technique with a brush and setting powder in oil-prone areas improves the coverage, finish and longevity of any foundation, IME, so it would be worth buying a foundation brush, powder brush, and cheap translucent powder if you don't already have them, regardless of whether you keep the ELDW or not.

Hope that helps!

Just to add - I only use ELDW when I need very good coverage or longevity, and here's how I do it:

1. 5p sized blob of foundation on back of hand, allow to warm for about 30 secs;
2. Use tiny bit on foundation brush at a time, starting with my chin and the edges of my cheeks (where I need the most coverage) and working towards the centre of my face (where I want very little foundation at all), blending very thoroughly into the skin;
3. Get the tiniest remainder of foundation from hand onto brush, and bounce against any areas of my face that need slightly more coverage;
4. Blend well using light circular motions all over, as thicker patches of foundation will melt off and any un-blended brush strokes will show otherwise;
5. Swirl powder brush in translucent powder, tap to remove excess, dab lightly on chin, nose, forehead and edges of cheeks.

Working THIN layers well into the skin makes the biggest difference to longevity, and the brush (esp the "bouncing" bit) makes the biggest difference to coverage, IME. It's harder with ELDW than most foundations because it sets so fast, which is why I use a tiny bit at a time.

Right - will try again tomorrow with the above advice!! Hopefully save a trip back to debenahms! Thank you

You're welcome - I hope it works for you and you don't have to make the trip back! ELDW can be a great foundation if it works with your skin and application technique - my way felt very time-consuming the first couple of times I tried it, but I can now do my full face in under 5 mins with the right brush (despite being v picky about eyeliner).

One other thing has just occurred to me - if you're wearing moisturiser underneath, you may need to wait a little bit longer for it to absorb and blot off any excess oil with a piece of tissue. ELDW is a water-based foundation, so it won't adhere to your skin properly if there's an oily film in between.

Also, Debenhams is generally very good about returns if you do need to go back, although I've found EL counters to be excellent anyway. When I went to get colour-matched for ELDW in Boots, the assistant wrote her name on a card for me and said that I should go back to her if I was unhappy with the foundation and she would "make it right" .

I have also just started using ELDW (after recommendations on here!) and I have been having problems with it too, so you're not alone DorsetLass!
I have found that it just won't blend and I have visible streaks of it on my face! It's as though its not sinking in - it is just sitting on top of my skin and looks a bit waxy?!
Could this be a moisturiser problem?
(Sorry for hijack OP)

I recently bought this foundation & was chatting to the sales lady - I have fairly bad skin & most things cause me to break out. She advised that if there was a problem with it Estee Lauder would have no problem refunding my money. Just give their customer services a call.

AlwaysOneMissing - it could well be your moisturiser, but it could also be your brush and/or application technique. Try giving your moisturiser an extra 5 mins to sink in and blot with a tissue before applying foundation. Failing that, try applying thinner layers and blending in each area really well with circular motions before moving on - ELDW does set very fast, and you definitely don't need much! The only other thing I can suggest is that you might need a denser and more forgiving brush - I highly recommend this Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, as it's pretty much fool-proof. You buff foundation in using circular motions, and it gives really good, even, streak-free coverage - I honestly don't think it's possible to get it wrong, as long as you apply thin layers and build up coverage where necessary. It also saves a lot of time, as you don't have to apply your base so painstakingly!

The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is indeed amazing. Gives an airbrushed finish.

I tried it twice and just could not get away with the shades etc so i bought the new invisible foundation they have bought out. It feels less foundation like iyswim but i feel is a step up from nn cream.

Bb cre that should be

Thanks for the advice Nom, I'll certainly be giving that brush a try. Even better that it comes doubly recommended! Thanks squoosh.

You're welcome, Always - I really like those brushes, and have been looking for an excuse to buy a third back-up for ages... Hope some of what I suggested will work for you!

Right - the foundation may have a reprieve! I cl actually had he mac equivalent of the brush above (bought ages ago and totally forgot about it), left longer after moisturiser and it did look pretty good! Thank you for advice x

Excellent, that's really good to hear! You will probably find that it gets better after a few uses, as you get used to what works for your skin - for me, using very thin layers and blending really well makes the difference between natural and long-lasting coverage and... well... a waxy mess .

I wore my ELDW today for the first time since December and was really pleased with it (despite having a bad skin day, and needing to be outside in bright sunlight/in a hot car all day), so thank you for reminding me of its existence! Too bad that EL has reformulated my colour (1c1/Shell) and it looks wrong on me now, so I'm about 55 ml away from having to find a new foundation .

Yes, even Boots will take stuff back if it's crap ime, I have taken foundation back to EL and Clinique.

And primer, primer REALLY helps!

I use ELDW daily and the brush that Nom has mentioned and find them to be an excellent double act. All the advice that Nom has given you is spot on. I would wait even longer between moisturiser and foundation. 30 mins if at all poss.

Brilliant tips here. Does it matter which brand of primer Valium? Can you recommend one? (Not too expensive!)

I am using Lanacane anti chaff gel - seriously, don't laugh! It's amazing and the same as Smashbox according to the reviews

Nivea's primer is good and not too expensive, around a fiver I think. I do love the Smashbox ones though, and a tube lasts ages.

Valium that made me laugh!! I might give it a try though...
Thanks for the back up Squoosh, I'll bare it in mind if I can't bring myself to put anti-chaffe cream on my face!!