Beauty SOS! What to try?!

[HeyJudith]

I have noticed recently that I have really tired looking skin. It looks ok when I have just done my makeup but within a few hours my skin tone looks terrible. In photos I look quite odd because of the circles and uneven skin tone - I look ill (I'm definitely not!)

I am in my 40s though, so not a spring chicken, but I see plenty of women older than me with fresher, brighter and more even skin tone so it's not just an age thing. I eat well, don't smoke (but could sleep more), drink lots of water etc. I use cheap foundation and a basic moisturiser so I know that needs to go - but to what?!

I have a fair-medium skin tone with light brown hair/eyes, I have no spots or blemishes and my skin type is normal (I think). Can anyone recommend: brighteners, primers, foundations, concealers etc that will give the appearance of an even and fresher skin tone? I'm not bothered about cost or brands - I can splash out if there's something really good (have a lot of John Lewis vouchers to spend :) )

Recommendations gratefully received :)

Benefit Girl meets pearl is a brilliant highlighter, I use it with or without make up along the tops of my cheekbones and under brows and it makes me look fresh and awake

As you have no blemishes I would go for a tinted moisturiser. My favourite is nars, it changes my dull greyish complexion to make it look more like my summer skin iykwim.

Then use concealer over the top. I've recently found Ellis Faas (only seem to have found it in selfridges or liberty though they also sell online) and their concealer is fantastic, as are their lip colours which make me feel like I'm not wearing any lipstick but look fantastic.

Thank you both!

I haven't seen the Benefit highlighter, it sounds great

Re tinted moisturiser, I tried that in the past but it felt too sheer - I'm really looking for a solid foundation that stays put (I think!) I'm no stranger to makeup and lots of it, but I've only really used cheap brands and I now realise my bare canvas needs more long lasting products that give a better effect. I really want an "airbrush" type flawless finish base (rather than au natrel per se). How do I get that?? I know I would need a primer and a good foundation, powder, concealer and under eye brightener but what brands/products?

I don't use it myself but my sister really rates Mac foundation. they have absolutely loads of colours so you could try going to a Mac counter if you have one anywhere near you to get colour matched. Make sure though, whatever foundation you go for, you try a sample outside of the shop to be sure the colour match is right as shop lighting can make the colours look different to how they look in natural light

I would get a foundation brush. I use the Samantha chapman one from Boots - gives a wonderful finish to your foundation

I mix primer with bourjois healthy mix foundation and some moisturiser and apply it with a foundation brush. It gives a nice effect and is very quick to apply. In the evening I would add mineral veil but for the day I don't bother. I also use bare minerals powders sometimes but I prefer the feel of the more liquid foundation really.

I had similar issues to yours (even though am younger - I'm dreadful for going to bed too late and getting up too early, and I have been eating far too many sugary foods lately, so skin looked very dull and tired). I love love love the Bobbi Brown stick foundation - it was an expensive impulse buy, but the gamble paid off: it's brilliant. I now use that, with Benefit Fake Up concealer under my eyes, and then set it with Bobbi Brown powder. Then I like Benefit Dandelion powder, just a bit, over my cheeks.

I also bought this total bargain a few days ago. Figured for a fiver it was worth a shot! It's great, actually, more of a slight shimmery bronze tone than the pink you get with Dandelion, but looks very nice, actually.

(Or it might have been this one, I can't remember which one I bought )

Origins Vitazing is very good. It really brightens the skin.

Drink lots of water, exfoliate once a week (I just use st Ives facial scrub) and moisturise well (I like the aldi lacuna range). Best foundation I've ever had is the boots no 7 protect and perfect which you can get matched at the counter with the special machine!

L'Occitane Immortalle range. I have a beautician friend who asked what I had done to my face as it looked so bright and clear.

I also use a mask with AHA from A r b o n n e (do not write that word in one go or the crazy reps will flood the post) for DIY facials from the R E 9 range and they are very good too.

I'm not 40 I'll be honest but I love bare minerals! It gives you a new face!!! And I find it stays on amazingly!

Thanks all! Great suggestions. So could look at Bobbi Brown, Mac and Philosophy, Boujois, and a decent foundation brush. I've heard great things about Bobbi Brown and Mac in the past so will definitely look there.

Anyone rate Chanel?

X posts, thanks for all the new suggestions too!

Another vote for bare minerals. I'm early 40s and know just what you mean. This is so quick & easy to use but transforms my skin

Ok if you have good skin and want good coverage and some luminosity

I would go for Estée Lauder double wear and the mix it with a blob of mac strobe cream and the apply with a brush.

The strobe cream will give you luminosity and double wear gives excellent coverage but mixing it with the strobe cream gives you a fresh youthful skin and medium coverage

Look up the goss makeup artist videos on youtube he has the best foundation routines!

I would also try contouring so three different foundation one natural, one a shade or two darker and one a shade or two lighter goss does a fab video on that two!

But first I'd go for double wear and strobe cream from what you said!

Thanks Andi and Ilike

I haven't tried Bare Minerals before, Andi, is that the one that is a powder?

Ilike - I had forgotten that I have heard great things about the Estee Lauder double wear before. I will definitely check out the Estee Lauder counter. I like the idea of mixing with a highlighter too. Thanks for the info also the youtube idea.
Can I ask what you would recommend about powder? I usually use a light dusting of loose powder to set foundation. Also, any moisturiser/primer recommendations? :)