Foundation just won't look right

[wildflowersummermeadow]

Anyone have any ideas about what I can do to make my foundation actually stay on my wretched face?!

I have thin quite transparent skin that shows every single change in colour and or temperature or the slightest blemish in a very technicolor sort of way

So I definitely want something that is a good coverage but I am finding it difficult to find something that will actually stay put. I have been using EL doublewear for years and its definitely the best so far and is good coverage but it still settles into the cracks of my dryish forehead, slides off my nose (oily pores) and cakes quite a lot after a couple of hours

I have tried the following without success:
CC cream
Base
Using moisturiser
Using just serum and no moisturiser
Using brushes to apply
Using fingertips to apply
Setting with powder
Not setting with powder

All of the above seems to either make the caking, the sliding off the shiny areas, the drying, the oil slick nose worse in one degree or other, not to mention the expense

Anyone got any ideas?!

Have you tried a good primer like Smashbox (or Lanacance dupe) and the Real Techniques expert face brush? I think that both have improved my foundation appearance. I also switched to DoubleWear Light which seems a bit less cakey.

I have very pale transparent skin too.

Do you allow your moisturiser to sink in- allow at least 10 minutes.
Do you use a primer?
You need to moisturise or the make up will sink into your skin.

Have you tried various long last foundations such as Bobbi Brown, Clinique and Clarins?

Have you tried a very very light dusting of powder- I found laura mercier setting powder very light - just use on T zone.

I've long since given up on wearing make up, but when i did, I had skin that sounded much like yours. Firstly, I found it helpful to use a salicylic acid based cream to keep the oil and flakiness balanced (Clinique turnaround cream, in my case) and then I had some succcess with a coule of different Clinique foundations (can't even remember what they wore, but both worked with my incredibly pale combination skin - and one of them was aimed at older skin, prone to flaking)

Have you tried using less product when you apply? If I use a thicker layer of foundation, I'll get the same problems as you describe.

You could also try a powder foundation (mineral foundation). I can't recommend one as I've never used one, but loads of people love it.

Are you using a moisturiser that is specifically for your skintype? Using a moisturiser for a different skintype can cause problems like that too. The same goes for foundations, primers and so on.

Ooooh thank you, lots of ideas to consider

Haven't had much luck with primer but perhaps I am using too much product.

Clinique is getting recommended a bit I see - will investigate

Ouryve - turnaround cream sounds interesting...so did you just give up on makeup altogether?? Jealous of the liberation of it but not sure I could do it!

Have seen a lot of mentions of powder foundations but never tried - do like the look of bare minerals but worried about shelling out loads and then it not lasting after all...perhaps I will brave the makeup lady in debenhams and ask for a trial

If you want to try mineral powders you can get some low priced samples from www.lilylolo.co.uk
I've used their powders and they're great :)