I need a foundation to make me look well-rested and youthful (miracle-workers this way!)

[dontrunwithscissors]

I'm 37 and feel that I'm ageing by the day. The wrinkles are getting worse and I just generally look knackered from working full time and too many broken night's sleep. The other day my husband kindly looked at me and told me I looked "fvucked." Sadly, he's not far off the mark. The dark rings around my eyes right now look awful.

I'm currently use a Clinique foundation, but I'm finding it doesn't last long, nor does it do much for me.

I need a new foundation that will hide the ever-deepening lines, the dark circles under my eyes, and generally give me a bit of a glow. I'm 37 and feel that I'm ageing by the day. (I may be expecting miracles here!). It also needs to last through the day. I'm very pale-skinned.

Any recommendations?

I'd heard good things about Estee Lauder doublewear, but it seems thev've changed the formula and people aren't happy. I was also considering Dior Scuplt.

Whoops! Sorry about the badly edited post--my head is fvucked today, too. Eugh. I feel old.

No advice, but marking place for tips!

Sorry also marking my place. Same age and wrinkly face!

I tried Clarins skin illusion (the clue's in the name) after seeing it recommended on here and I really like it. It does a lot of what you say and is very sheer - you only need a tiny bit yet it makes your skin look much better. I'm also very pale and my colour is "nude" which was not even the palest (I was v impressed with that as normally the palest isn't quite pale enough).

Not your cheapest of course but a bottle does last a long time.

Sleep and water will help too - I know it's easier said than done, but at least ask your DH for one good lie-in at the weekend.

OK, I have a few recommendations. I am 37, with a 1 year old and 3 year old. Amin the same boat- basically not much sleep but very busy days with working and generally running around after everyone. The best foundations for a really glowing and well rested complexion are:-

Dior Nude
Suqqu Cream Foundation
YSL Touche Eclat foundation

You need something that provides radiance and these 3 hit the mark. Avoid EL Double Wear- very mattifying, but too chalk like. If you need a setting powder on top of your foundation, go for NARS light reflecting loose powder and then maybe a sweep of Guerlain Meteorites on top.

Hot cloth cleansing has done wonders for my skin. I do it at night, when I need a good cleanse to get rid of the slap. Plus, it acts as a daily exfoliator, without using anything too potent. A serum at night is brilliant for giving your skin a glow- I am currently trying Aldi's Lacura anti ageing serum and for £3.49, I am very impressed.

I am reading good things about the Botanics BB cream, for giving radiance, so that might be worth a shot for buying something under a tenner.

A nice apricot/peach blusher is good for giving tired skin a lift. NARS orgasm or deep throat is pretty good, or one of the Bourjois little pots.

I'm currently trying to get my wardrobe sorted. My face might be ok, but I feel like I turn everything I wear into a sack

someone was praising boots organics youth something or other BB cream on here the other day.

Change your life, instead of changing your foundation ;)

Get charming dP ( wtf that comment) to do some kiddienight shifts and pull his weight a bit more.

Plan some nice activities with friends who make you smile or laugh.

Get more fresh air.

That sort of thing does more than foundation!

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look in to them.

Unfortunately, I haven't yet mastered the art of making more than 24 hours in the day. I work a good 50 hours a week and sometimes more. Who are these friends you speak of?! I'm making my life sound great, aren't I?!

Thankfully, the kids no now mostlty sleep through the night (been the case for the last 4-5 months). It's just the accumulation of 6 years of no sleep.

I have always had dark circles under my eyes, even in my 20s--I think it's as a result of my very pale skin. Only decent make up makes any difference.

I used clarins everlasting foundation, it evens out my skin tone and covers blemishes. If I apply it over beauty flash balm it looks even better, gives me a nice sheen and invisible pores.

I have just started using Bare Minerals, very impressed with the natural looking cover but good for wrinkles dark patches etc. I'm tge same age as you.

Try givenchy's Mr Light under the eyes. Miracle worker!

The Chanel illumious one is dewy and looks good but doesn't stay on like the Double Wear Light.

I use Giorgio Armani luminous silk, I am very fair and the shade I use matches my skin exactly but just gives it a bit of warmth. I have never bought the same foundation twice before now but am about to get bottle 3 of this I also use their fluid sheer over the top for an extra glow (without being shimmery.) If you go to their counters they will give you a pot with a weeks worth in to try before you buy.

I love Mac mineralize concealer for under my eyes, works to disguise the dark circles but doesn't settle into creases. Also doesn't give the "highlighted" under eye effect that lots of the specific under eye concealers give.

Have used double wear in the past and in terms of coverage and longevity it is fantastic. Doesn't look like my skin though and definitely doesn't make me look healthy :)

Oh and aside from foundation have a look at Alpha H, this has single handedly transformed my skin! Look so much better without makeup which has got to be a good place to start!

I use Origins VitaZing. It's marketed as a moisturiser but it's tinted. It comes out of the pack a vile grey colour, but as soon as you put it on it gives you a dewy, sunkissed glow. I often get compliments when I wear it. It's especially good on those mid-winter days when your skin has gone the colour of mashed up newspaper and is dried out from central heating. I've tried a few other ones but always come back to this. It also works well on the purple under eye shadows.

They'll usually give you a sample to try, or a free mini facial, if you want to test it first.

I like urban decay naked liquid foundation. It's sort of glowy but not shimmery. I use that with Lush Feeling Younger under my eyes

Stop drinking. That helps.

Then bobbi brown touché éclat copy. And Chanel vitalumiere. cream blush

I am 41, 2 DC under 4 (not sleeping through), working, etc and can really recommend Laura Mercier Radiance Primer, either alone or under make up (I use her Tinted Moisturizer). It is has transformed how my skin looks. Its taken me from from grey faced & knackered looking to 'well rested yoga devotee'. It's not cheap but a little goes a long way.

I'm 54. I have four people with disabilities in this house and work an 18 hour day. Most people assume I'm about 48, in part because I have inherited my grandmother's hair, thick and still very dark. I also use Diorskin forever. Works wonders!

Oh yes if we're talking blusher, Benefit "Dandelion" is amazing - again an expensive item but one I always use up completely and get again, and lasts ages. It's brilliant for pale skin as it's a very light pink that does not make you look made-up or covered in blusher, but (especially used after whichever wonder foundation you try!) makes you look all glowy and fresh.

I love Origins Vitazing- it really does pep me up and gives a lovely glow.