Where am I going wrong with foundation?

[emilyofnewmoon]

I have been reading recommendations on here so on Saturday off I went to get samples of foundations to try (am usually a whatever's on offer in Boots sort of girl!) I got Estee Lauder Double Wear and YSL Touche Éclat. I also bought a Benefit Porefessional primer (never used primer before).
Have been using the foundations on alternate days and while they look ok first thing in the morning, I glanced in the mirror when I came home from work and was shocked at what I saw. The foundation seems to have settled in my fine lines (wrinkles) and made them appear worse.
Where am I going wrong? I really thought these products were the answer. Shall I try more brands? If so, which ones? I am 45 btw.

Try the Double Wear again but apply it with the Real Techniques stippling brush from Boots/Superdrug (about £10 or £11). I use Bobbi Brown creamy concealer but by the time I've finished applying my foundation with the brush, I don't really need it.

Thank you so much for your reply. Will definitely try a brush. I always use my fingers but guess a brush would give a more professional finish.
I have bought a concealer too as foundation not covering thread veins. Only had access to small Boots yesterday though so bought a MaxFactor one. Never thought about concealer before so had no idea what to look for.
Clueless about this make up/skin care lark. Can you tell?

You make a good point. I have neglected my skin over the years so I suppose it is a lot to ask that some foundation will make me look flawless!
I have started to cleanse using Superdrug vit E hot cloth or Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean facial wash. No toning and Olay anti wrinkle day and night cream. I do want to invest in better products but am going round in circles reading reviews and advice on here.

Have just found stippling brush on Boots website so will be adding to my order

Less is definitely more as you age..depressing but true.

I am really really picky about foundation it has to be virtually invisible under my x5 magnifying mirror.
I used to love wearing touch eclat foundation but it does tend to slide off my face by the end of the day and tbh I don't suit the full face of makeup look anymore. I look younger with less on. A touch of concealer on my red veins and any red spots and then I use touch eclat under my eyes and l'oreal powder 'the one' on my t-zone.

Also in the last few days I have been really really impressed with l'oreal magic lumi primer and the cc cream for red skin. It looks really natural.

Magnifying mirror! My bathroom mirror depresses me enough . Will look at the L'Oreal magic lumi primer, thank you
ps not sure what CC cream is

Yup it's a little magnifying one inserted on normal one..tis mind blowing and terrifying!
CC is colour correcting..I think.

BTW Bourjois do a great CC cream , my dd bought one and I tried it..passed my mirror test !

Yes, get a real techniques brush. Makes all the difference.

I bought a cheap foundation brush today and have tried applying foundation tonight. It does make a difference! Will get a Real Techniques brush when I can get to a large Boots or decide what other products to order from Boots online.
Has anyone tried that new Garnier Miracle skin cream?

I tried a sample in store - would've bought it if it was 8 quid but 12 seemed a bit steep tbh for something that could be potentially orange

Nivea Micellar water is fantastic if you need to bump up your order.

Just been reading reviews and see that Garnier miracle cream is too dark for some. I am quite pale so think I will give it a miss
Am looking at Boots Time Delay range now. Their anti wrinkle moisturiser and serum seems to be getting good reviews so may give that a whirl.
I have bought the Garnier Micellar water, haven't seen the Nivea one. The joys of living in a small town with limited range shops. Thank goodness for online shopping!

I can't go a whole day without having to touch up my foundation. If I did nothing until I got home from work, my foundation would have settled into every crevice and started to slide off. I'm sure some people can slap it on in the morning and forget about it, but everyone's skin is different.

It doesn't take much, every 3 or 4 hours, I have to smooth the foundation into my skin again, either with my fingers or a brush ( or a beauty blender sponge ). Then a little MAC mineralize skinfinish natural powder dusted over the top. This a a very natural non-powdery powder. Takes seconds, foundation looks great again. Even without the powder, just the quickly smoothing foundation in makes it look ok again.

I always used double wear bit lately it doesnt suit me so i tried Max Factor 3 in 1 miracle touch and it is gorgeous and doesn't show up pores or lines. It's 12.99 and there isnt much in the pot but I am very happy with it.

Do you mean add more foundation or just re-blend what is already there ?
Liking the sound of a non-powdery powder as my powder seems to cake.

Thanks Mrswellyboot. How do you go about choosing the right shade with foundations that are not on counters?

Usually just reblend what is already there.

I'm 47 and recently bought boots no7 cc cream. I get lots of compliments about how well I am looking when I wear it.

As I've got older I've gone lighter on foundation, I now only wear primer and some light powder. Foundation just became too much of a challenge with wrinkles and no one needs those babies highlighted.

Same here, ditched the DW, too aging. What i do now is applying few drops of face oil before bed and in the morning skin is nice and soft. Other improvement is using a light foundation and dusting a bit of powder on top. Much better than before.

Interesting ideas. I actually thought this morning that my skin looked better with just primer on. Will give that a go tomorrow with just primer, concealer and powder. Need another concealer though because the max factor one I bought is rubbish.
I think my skin may be dehydrated so can anyone recommend a rehydrating face pack? Haven't used a face pack since the peel off ones when I was a teenager
Thanks to everyone for advice btw. Very much appreciated