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Original poster

Any recommendations for a really nice foundation please ...

28 replies

Millie1 · 27/07/2006 20:49

Am using a Bobbi Brown one at present and like it but it's my third bottle of it, some time for a change.

Thinking Laura Mercier or MAC ... anyone use these? What do you think? Have read loads (on Mumsnet of course) about Chanel's new foundation but last time I bought one of theirs, I hated it.

Humour me please!!

OP posts:
Squarer · 27/07/2006 20:54

What skin type have you got? I went out to the Chanel counter on the basis of the Mumsnet recommendations of vitaluminaire. The lady gave me some samples of the different foundations and the one that suits my skin type the best is the Double Perfection Fluid - it is fab IMO.

Squarer · 27/07/2006 20:55

Meant to say that the vitaluminaire is shocking on my combination skin.

Jazzi · 27/07/2006 20:55

Clinique are very good!!!

treacletart · 27/07/2006 20:55

Boots No 7 Intellegent Colour foundation is incredible. Lots of people think its better than expensive foundations. It has a spookily light texture, feels lovely and makes you look you get lots of sleep and drink lots of water. Trust me its magic in a tube.

WideWebWitch · 27/07/2006 21:04

I liked the Chanel Vitalumiere (even before mumsnet, ner!) it's truly fab, someone even said to me the other day 'oh your skin looks fantastic!' just after I'd applied it.

Gingerbear · 27/07/2006 21:07

a great summer one is the tinted moisturiser by dermalogica

waterfalls · 27/07/2006 21:26

I love most of max factor ones.

sanchpanch · 27/07/2006 21:29

i am the same as squarer, went to buy the famous one, but tokk several home to try, and went for the double perfection, the only down side was after a week i dropped the bottle in the sink and it smashed, dont know when i will ever affored another one!!!!!

Original poster
Millie1 · 27/07/2006 22:34

Sanchpanch and

Skin is really really dry in patches (ugh) but will definitely add chanel to my 'look at' list for Saturday.

Thanks!

OP posts:
sanchpanch · 28/07/2006 17:13

go to various counters and get some samples before you spend you money, it is definetely worth it, to have a practise with a few before you decide. let us know what you get, i am a bit of a foundation lover

Original poster
Millie1 · 13/08/2006 22:02

Bumping this again as I still haven't bought one and am now on the dregs of my Bobbi Brown.

I really liked the Chanel Vitaluminaire BUT ... they didn't have any samples (at either store) and the lady in Debenhams recommended Clair whereas the Boots' lady recommended Limpide. Clair is closest to the BB colour I'm wearing at the moment and probably a teeny bit darker than my own skintone but still fine. Limpide is exactly my tone and I was cheeky enough to ask the Lancome lady what she thought of it (cos I was worried it would make me look too pale) and she thought that with it on properly (as opposed to a patch test) it would make me look like a ghost.

Sooooo ... is it acceptable to have foundation just a tad darker than your own skintone ... or do I go for the paler colour and use a bronzer or something?

This wasn't supposed to be such a big decision

OP posts:
sansouci · 13/08/2006 22:09

I used Chanel for a couple of years, then switched to Estée, then settled happily with Shisheido because the colour's perfect for my skin tone but then had a "treatment" at Clarins (including being made up -- heaven!) & fell in love with their foundation. I think you have to keep switching according to season & how much you need to cover up, discreetly of course.

sansouci · 13/08/2006 22:11

Don't let them try it on your hand or wrist! Skin colour & texture completely different to that of face. Try it on your neck & then ask to take a hand mirror outside.

crunchie · 13/08/2006 22:12

I would possibly go in and ask for a makeover tbh (if you have time that is!!) Ask them if they could make you up in the lighter one, and see how it looks. In some ways the Vitalumiere id more like a tinted moisturiser in that it doesn't seem to matter a slightly darker shade, but I would get it done, or ask again for a sample, they mayhave more in by now!!

BTW I keep going back to various stores and asking for a sample, I have used 2 mini bottles by mow, and have just got a 3rd one!! This has done me the summer (I don't wear it every day) as I don't like buying a new foundation just becasue I have a tan.

brimfull · 13/08/2006 22:16

Don't go lighter .There's a woman I see occassionally in our town with pale foundation and she looks scary!!
A bit darker is fine imo if you just put a little bit on and avoid tide marks.

Original poster
Millie1 · 13/08/2006 22:18

Thanks ladies ... problem is that the Boots & Debenhams are a 90 mile drive and I only get there every couple of months (sob sob) and I can't find anywhere local to me that does Chanel (or anything for that matter!). Was going to ring and ask them to post me samples of both ... BTW, I did as you suggested Sansouci and took a mirror outside (which is when I asked the Lancome lady's opinion!) - the makeup was on one side of my face but not the other. How I wish I could get a day to the shops this week but it's out of the question for the next month so I'm just going to have to go 'mail order'. Grrr

OP posts:
Original poster
Millie1 · 13/08/2006 22:20

Thanks ggirl ... the second Chanel lady who recommended the lighter shade was wearing a pale foundation and it was just too pale which is what I'm scared off. Maybe will just go for the darker - afterall, it's pretty much the shade I'm wearing now and it's been fine.

OP posts:
KTeepee · 14/08/2006 08:35

I have the Chanel one in Clair and it looks fine (well, I haven't worn it over the summer). I thought the Limpide would be closer to my natural skin colour too but the woman where I went said it would make me look too pale. Afterwards I found out my sister has it in Clair too so it must be the right one for me (she has similar colouring).

incy · 14/08/2006 10:26

I love Bobbi Brown foundation - I think my skin tone has yellow undertones and although I have tried others this is the only one for me as all others tend to be a bit pink. So my opinion would be to stick with BB !

janeite · 14/08/2006 11:03

Another vote for Number 7 - as good as Clinique and Prescriptives imho, but if you're feeling rich, Prescriptives are fab. Would never use Clinique again.

CurrantBun · 14/08/2006 13:42

I have really sh*tty skin adn would kill to find a foundation that makes it look a bit better!

It's very oily but despite this, feels rough and flaky in places. Since I became pregnant my skin has been awful - really spotty and lots of whiteheads which I can't get rid of. It's also very sensitive so I can't use products for oily skin as they tend to be too harsh.

I use an exfoliator a couple of times a week (every day is a bit much) and use a mild facial wash (Nivea Visage). I currently use Clinique's Almost Make-Up (just a bit more coverage than a tinted moisturiser) as I've found that full foundations just emphasise the rough, flaky patches and make my pores look larger. The Almost Make-Up is pretty good but it's quite greasy which doesn't help the oiliness.

TBH I'm at my wit's end with my skin. Was in tears yesterday as I feel I've regressed to the acne-ridden 16-year-old I was once, with no self-esteem and full of self-loathing.

brimfull · 14/08/2006 13:47

currant bun,you may be exfoliating too much.It causes your skin to produce more oil because you're stripping the oil from it when you exfoliate.
Not an expert ,but used to exfoliate for england and my spots only cleared up when I stopped.
I use Liz Earle's cleanse and polish and it has improved my skin a lot.
For coverage I too use bobbi brown,the tinted moisturiser.It's quite similar to cliniques almost makeup but the colour corrects my too pink skin better.

JackieNo · 14/08/2006 13:51

CurrantBun, I was going to recommend the Liz Earle cleanse and polish too. On foundation - I have the vitalumiere, and love the effect, but find that if I wear it every day, it gives me horrendous spots. So I keep it for occasional use only.

CurrantBun · 14/08/2006 13:53

Thanks ggirl - but I definitely don't exfoliate too much. Once (or very occasionally twice) a week - and that's if I remember. I can quite often go for weeks without remembering to exfoliate.

I once had a sample of Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish. I tried it for a couple of days but having to wash out muslin clothes constantly seemed like too much of a faff to me. But if it works, then maybe it's worth a go.

I didn't know that Bobbi Brown did tinted moisturiser - I might have a look at that, thanks.

incy · 14/08/2006 14:05

CB - I had the same problem and after trying almost every product I started using dermologica ultra calming cleanser (v mild) and their active moist moisturiser. Nothing else - not even an exfoliator. After a couple of weeks my skin cleared up and no probs since. Odviously we are all different but I was told my spots were caused by ultra sensitive skin not excess grease as I had assumed and all the products I was using to strip the skin back was aggrivating the problem. It might be worth considering a sensitive, natural product range such Liz earle or my favorite dermologica and keeping your routine very simple with just a cleanser and light moisturiser. I use Bobbi brown foundation which hasn't caused any problems. I am sure it will all sort itself out but a big hug as I know how horrid a problem it can be