If you're late 30's / early forties and use EL Double Wear how do you get it to work for you ?

[cannotfuckingbelievethis]

I used this religiously for about 12 years then realised last summer that it was doing nothing for my skin and settled in any fine lines making me look about 10 yrs older than I am (39 now - eek !) But nothing else I have tried stays on like it did or can stand up to my oily t zone. I've tried all the long lasting foundations by the big brands (Dior, Clarins, YSL, Lancôme, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Bare Minerals) as well as lower end ones (Revlon Colorstay for example) but nothing suits me. I'm tempted to go back to DW but don't want the same results. Should I lose the loose powder on top ? I recall an SA saying to me a few years back that you shouldn't need to powder this. I've used various primers with it over the years too (Smashbox, Lanacane - the supposed dupe for Smashbox, Rimmel, Bourjois, Philosophy...) is there anything better that's suited to older but still oily skin ?

I've rambled a bit now haven't I ?

I stick to Double Wear Light and a tiny amount of pressed powder on top, just on the shiny bits, and dusted off.

I have a Mac Prep and Prime and Oil Control lotion from Mac that I put on first - let it sink in.
Then I use a Real Techniques brush this one

That keeps it looking groovy!

I find with these thicker long lasting style foundations you get a better finish if you apply with your fingers rather than a brush. In my experience the brush piles on too much product whereas you can keep it much more natural when using the tips of your fingers.

I've used Colorstay for 20+ years applied with fingers and no, you don't need finishing powder (are you using the oily skin formula?). All longwear foundations such as ELDW and Dior Forever tend to be a bit drying and can accentuate dry patches and settle into lines and powder on top will make it worse. No matter what I used my skin looked patchy and messy by the early evening.

I'm almost 41 and have started questioning whether I actually need foundation any more. I've gone without for some time and my skin feels much fresher, the impurities are gone - so it might me time to ask yourself what you actually are looking for from foundation. My MIL has fabulous looking skin at 70+ and she loves EL tinted moisturizer. I got very good results last summer with just concealer and tinted sunscreen.

Have you tried even better by Clinique? If you get the right side you cannot tell you have foundation on.

I have 41 year old, ageing, acneic, hormonal, oily skin (I sound so hot don't I? )
Would Clinique Even Better be any good for me?
I just bought the EL DW a few weeks ago at Duty Free after hearing so many good things about it and I do like it (took a few goes to find a way of it looking good) but is the Clinique one lighter? I don't really like feeling like I've got a 'full face on'

I use both the original double wear and the lighter version. I find with the heavier one that unless my face is well moisturised and primed first it does emphasise pores and wrinkles.

I wear the lighter version every day though and I love it-I have an oily t-zone and this looks just as good at end of day. I put some Soap and Glory matte powder over the top too.

Ooh I might get some of that then Dita

Are the shades the same? I think I got lucky in that the shade I chose is a good match for me

Get Double Wear Light. It's much more wearable.

Or cheaper, get Olay Hint of Foundation which is lovely .

My problem exactly too! used it for the same amount of time but since I turned, ahem, early 40s, it does seem to look more mask like and show up lines. I was thinking of switching to something else once I finish this bottle. Don't want to go through all the brands (like you) and not find anything.

I've tried DW light but just not the same and not the same range of shades. I'm trying to get my skin into better condition so I may just be able to get away with a tinted moisturiser (wishful thinking).

One winter I did get a moisturiser from EL assistant and she said to mix it in with DW - this helped a bit. will try and find name of it. I've tried a few primers and found Stila one step correct was great underneath it.

www.boots.com/en/Stila-One-Step-Correct-Colour-Corrector-30ml_1220953/

Please post again if you find a good replacement!

I mix DW with a little bit of illuminating fluid , maybe three quarters DW to one quarter of illuminating fluid. It was the Chanel counter assistant who have me the idea (she used Dw as do many from other counters too, it's the only thing that lasts) something like the Revlon skinlights fluid would be ideal. Makes it more dewy but retains it's staying power

I stopped wearing foundation in my late 30s. I think skin care is so improved these days that foundation is often unnecessary or you should substitute something lighter like BB cream or tinted moisturiser or just bronzing powder.

I have tried so many foundations, and nothing beats ELDW for staying power if you have oily skin. I'm nearly 39. I use MAC spf 50 primer which is like a lotion rather than silicone based. It's good for oil control. As soon as I've put it on, before it has time to dry, so it still has some slip to it, I apply the ELDW with my fingers. Using probably only half of what I use with other foundations. Less is more. Blend quickly whilst the primer is still slippy. Once it's completely blended in, I go over my face with a buffing brush. I like to use MAC mineralize skinfinish natural on top.

I've recently discovered Becca Matte foundation, which is really natural and nearly as long lasting.

I am 43 and use ELDW (FRESCO). Tiny amount on my hand first and let it reach body temperature. Then I take a drop with a Technics brush and apply to my face in downward strokes. I let it dry and then apply a light coat of MAC studio fix NW25. I think I look good but god knows.

In my late 30's I started to need a primer before putting foundation on.

I took DW back. Far too claggy. I use Clinique perfectly balanced, with a brush, it really has to be worked on, not just a light brushing, then, and this is the most important thing, blot with a tissue to collect the excess oil & pigment. This is the single best tip I can give. That & the press & roll method for loose powder.

Seconding Clinique here too always come back to it- Stay True or Perfectly Balanced.

I tried Double Wear again on Friday for the first time in a few months. Gave the bottle a good shake as it had been sitting in my drawer for a few months, moisturised (oil free), primer, then applied it with the real techniques buffing brush. I thought it look ok in the morning but by around lunch time I could see it was separating on parts of my face and looked a bit patchy around my face. I really seem to be noticing the "tacky" almost glue-like texture to it which I never really noticed before.....I actually took it all off at around 2pm as it looked so bad and reapplied another foundation before I did the school run (God, how vain do I sound)

I have tried Clinique, think it was Even Better that I had but couldn't get a pale enough shade. Alabaster was still a bit pink for me.

Will need to get a tester for DW light I think

In my early 50s here, hope you don't mind me joining in! I use the DW Light and apply with my fingers, and it looks fine. I read somewhere recently, might have been on this site, that the formula of DW has changed so maybe its the makeup rather than your skin? Also I see an ELDW BB cream being advertised, I am going to get a sample and see how it looks.

I don't find that I can ditch foundation as I get older, in fact I need it more to look groomed. My skin has lost some of its natural colour and gained a few minor blemishes so foundation and bronzer and/or blusher are essential now. On days when I don't want a full face of makeup I use Origins Vitazing. Its a moisturiser with a bit of a tint and it makes me look healthy and natural, I highly recommend it.

I've used DW Light and liked it, for years. Now, I've recently started using Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour foundation. I only need a small amount as have good skin but at 51, I'm pretty colourless complexion-wise and need makeup to stop me looking washed out and featureless. The Lancôme is amazing for me. No powder needed. It stays and everything on top of it (blush, eye makeup) stays, too! My blusher used to go all patchy by mid afternoon as the foundation started to disappear and I'd just look blotchy and unkempt. I don't have that now with the Lancôme and it doesn't settle into lines.

Ok I am a NW20 in Mac or Sand in ELDW

What shade would I be for the Clinique one?

SirRaymond - NW20 is pretty pale isn't it? Possibly Alabaster or Linen then. Unfortunately they were both too dark for me

I've gave up on it now. Dug out a sample of Lancôme Teint Idole with Lanace underneath as a primer and it's been holding up pretty well. Just need to get the colour sorted as I think the shade I was given is still a tad dark for me.

Is it the Teint Idole 24HR one! the newer version? I hated the previous one which made me spotty and smelled awful. Just a thought.