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Original poster

Good foundation to cover brown marks on my face - on a budget

26 replies

VulvaVoom · 22/10/2013 13:45

Hi all

I have those horrible brown marks on my face, they got worse in pregnancy and I hate them. Am Caking on the foundation I do have, and it looks just that - cakey! I use mineral powder too but it doesn't cover stuff like that as the ads would have you believe.

Has anyone got any suggestions for good, dewy looking forundation, that also has good coverage? I also struggle with getting the right shade, so wondering if that No 7 colur match might be any good - does anyone know??

TIA :)

OP posts:
LividofLondon · 22/10/2013 14:08

Mineral make-up seems to really vary by all accounts. I use a BareFaced Beauty one with a small brush to cover my red blotches (old zits) and those brown ones (from the sun?). I find using a smallish blusher brush instead of the recommended kabuki one works better and makes it easier to apply.

Getting the colour right is a challenge though isn't it. I had to buy 4 samples before I found the one that looks right in all lights. No idea about the No7 colour match though I'm afraid.

BerryBlast · 22/10/2013 17:01

Bourjois 123 foundation is very good for covering red/brown marks. I have broken capillaries on my jaw line, so I use the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation on my face and then use the Bourjois 123 foundation over the jaw area - I buy the same colour foundation (53) so it all blends in and there are no colour differences

Vibbe · 22/10/2013 17:07

Vichy Dermablend is a good full coverage foundation.

Maybe you can use the full coverage foundation or a concealer in the areas that you want to conceal and use your usual foundation in the areas that don't need as much concealing? It might be easier finding a concealer in the right colour.
I find that a lot of full coverage foundations are really matte and not very natural looking.

MrsMarigold · 22/10/2013 17:18

I know you said you are wanting something reasonably but I find Laura Mercia Secret Camouflage brilliant, it is expensive but it lasts about a year and there are two shades so you can blend the right shade. Also someone on here recommended Boots Botanics BB cream which is amazing and only a few pounds. I use it as my foundation now and love it.

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 22/10/2013 19:59

Thanks all, I'll be browsing the make up aisles!

OP posts:
WestmorlandSausage · 22/10/2013 20:12

another vote for Vichy Dermablend. Saved my sanity as I have really bad acne scarring and brown/red blemishes and very uneven skin tone.

I use that as a foundation with the Bodyshop BB colour correcting cream over the top on cheekbones and any other areas that need 'dewyness' and then a quick sweep of bodyshop shimmery blush over the top of that for a natural 'dewy' relatively blemish free look.

Someone commented to me the other day what good skin I have and how lucky I am not to have to wear much makeup - I just laughed.

HeadsDownThumbsUp · 23/10/2013 00:33

Voting for Vichy dermablend here too. I stumbled upon it by accident and have found nothing else like it. The coverage is terrific and it is great value. I would not say that it is "dewy" though. Blended well, it gives a velvety matt finish. It does not look dull or cakey.

bertandmarble · 23/10/2013 20:20

I use the no 7 perfect cover/colour foundation with vichy dermablend over the pigmented bits

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 24/10/2013 09:57

Thanks again, about to Google Vichy Dermablend now.

I often use Avon Foundations and rate them quite highly (most expensive make up I buy) but I could be missing out on much better it seems!

OP posts:
Original poster
VulvaVoom · 24/10/2013 12:11

Update: just purchase some Vichy dermablend - the Escentual website has it on offer for about £10.50 and £1.95 delivery - good deal eh?

OP posts:
WestmorlandSausage · 24/10/2013 22:47

it is matt rather than dewy but will cover everything

Like i said I have to strategically use something a little shimmery over the top to get a more healthy look as i have dry skin.

Let us know how you get on

whethergirl · 25/10/2013 00:20

The Vichy Dermablend looks great, think i'll try it too. Were you condfident about picking the right shade though VulvaVoom? I don't think I could pick one off the screen like that, mind you my skin tone is quite tricky and many brands don't seem to cater for me at all (light olive).

whethergirl · 25/10/2013 00:23

Does anyone know what shops stock it, so I can test the shades? Do Boots normally stock it?

MrsFlorrick · 25/10/2013 00:31

Most boots stock it.

Fwiw. I didn't like derma blend. It's full silicone which makes me break out.

I found RMS beauty "un-cover" worked. But not cheap.

Otherwise bare minerals concealor hides everything or benefit booing.

I have a collection 2000 one too which works well for TOMT spots etc. worth a shot? Cheapest and blends ok.

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 25/10/2013 09:33

I watched a few YouTube videos whethergirl and opted for Opal (no 15) after someone said the next shade darker was quite dark.

I too have olivey skin, which can look quite sallow, so am thinking I could mix the Opal with some nude Avon stuff I have if I need to.

Bit gutted about what MrsFlorrick said about breaking out, I could really do without that but will give it a go and keep you guys posted.

OP posts:
MrsFlorrick · 25/10/2013 10:09

Vulva. If you normally use make up with dimethecone (sp?) and its fine for you then you will be fine with derma blend. Anything whether make up or increasingly skin care with silicones in them makes me break out in big cyst like welts. Even on my scalp.

Very annoying as all skin care and make up manufacturers seem to think dimethecone is the holy grail.

If derma blend irritates you there are other options which would cover really well too.

There are products which can help with pigmentation. Your GP may prescribe some. Retin a (tazorac?), quinoderm? I think it's that one but not sure both of those would be the cost of prescription so not expensive. There are obviously salon things which are expensive like ipl.

MrsFlorrick · 25/10/2013 10:13

Sorry Vulva. It's Hydroquinone not quinoderm!! And apparently you use that Hydroquinone with tazorac. I think GP will prescribe it without you needing to see a dermatologist.

whethergirl · 25/10/2013 11:17

Oh that's a good idea VulvaVoom, I'll have a look at some youtube vids myself. TBH I normally have to mix a couple of colours to get the shade I want.

I'm quite excited about it actually. I don't think I'll have a problem with breaking out because I've used tons of different products on my skin over the years and never had a break out.

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 27/10/2013 09:58

Mrs thanks so much for the info on pigmentation, I had thought getting stuff from the docs wasn't an option. Naively because I know Kirsty Allsopp has this problem and it was quite visible on TV, so I thought, well if she can't do anything about it Confused Blush

Now, I received the Derma blend yesterday and couldn't wait to try it, when I applied it, I felt a little disappointed at first that it hadn't completely camouflaged my small bits of scarring.

BUT, once I'd finished, I could hardly believe my eyes. Without looking caked on, this has covered my face beautifully, hidden my pigmentation, yet still made me look natural. For the first time in ages I could ditch the powder over the top too. WOW.

Will be stocking up!

OP posts:
LordPalmerston · 27/10/2013 10:00

The Clinique one us shit. The brown spot zapper

MrsFlorrick · 27/10/2013 12:01

Vulva. If you see Kirsties latest program's, her face looks perfect again. She did have whilst pregnant on Location Location and for a while after but her latest offerings of Kirsties Homemade stuff, her face looks completely even.

It could be makeup though.

I had another look for you on tinterweb and apparently derma rollering works too. I saw lots of people reviewing it on Makeupalley so genuine normal people. It's the scary looking roller thing with micro needles which are rolled over your face. It also called collagen induction therapy as it makes collagen rush to the site which was rolled and repair the skin. It's used for brown marks, acne scarring and even stretch marks.

You don't have to go to a spa or cosmetic place for it. You can buy your own rollers on amazon (identical to those the salons use and same brands too) and sterilising solution for £20 or so.

I've done this but not for brown marks but stretch marks on stomach. I've only used the roller once so I am waiting till next week when I can roll again and in about 3 weeks time I will hopefully see results. It takes a few weeks as skin renews itself in 40 days.

It could be worth a try as its clearly effective and cheap.

There is also IPL but that would cost at least £1500 if not more for your face.

Google the micro needling thing and see what it say.

WestmorlandSausage · 27/10/2013 12:13

For anyone lurking and thinking of trying it you can buy it from most boots but it is with the posh skincare stuff not with all the rest of the makeup.

VulvaVoom glad it worked for you - I strongly recommend the shimmer waves in 'Blush' from the bodyshop www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/cheeks/shimmer-waves.aspx over the top for a natural look over the top to break up the mattness of the dermablend.

killpeppa · 27/10/2013 12:21

Revlon colour stay

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 27/10/2013 19:43

Thanks again Mrs I have stretch marks I could use it on too!

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