Foundation for 'teenage' skin

[kikidee]

I'm early 40's and still have intermittently bad skin. Stress and hormone related I think. I have been searching for the holy grail of foundation for years but have used various over the years that haven't quite done everything that I wanted. I've been using Clinique Superbalanced for the last year which seems to work with my skin but doesn't make me look quite as luminous, amazing, flawless etc as I would like. Before I used Clinique I was using the YSL Touché Éclat foundation which I felt was sort of sitting on top of my skin/sliding off. I tried samples of Estée Lauder Double Wear light and a Dior foundation but didn't like either of them. I have also used Bobbj Brown in the past but I haven't loved anything enough to really stick with it for a long time.

So, I'm now ready to change again and wonder if anyone has any recommendations? I quite fancy trying Lancôme but had a quick look the other day and was baffled at the selection. Any help appreciated.

Bare minerals really sorted my skin out, you must moisturise before and really buff the minerals on.

Have you tried any mineral foundations?

I highly recommend them. And I mean the pure ones (3 or 4 ingredients not the high st versions with 20+ ingredients/cheap fillers).

My best are Lily Lolo, Inika and Bellapierre.

All have fully adjustable coverage from v light to full. With Inika and Bellapierre you don't need a seperate concealer, just apply with a concealer brush and it's done.

Lily Lolo has many many shades and is the cheapest. Goes well on oily or combi skin. You need a seperate concealer with this one and setting powder for glow and staying power.

Inika is lovely and soft and gives a lovely glow with serious staying power.

Bellapierre is a true all in one. Everything is built in. Super quick to apply. Very soft powder and amazing staying power. And a glowy youthful flawless complexion.

I used to have oily skin (pre DC) and I used Lily Lolo successfully for about 5/6 years. I was always complimented on my flawless skin (which I certainly don't have and never have had! I look a state without foundation!).

After DC my skin is now much drier and I found Lily Lolo too dry (it has a higher zinc oxide content than the other two which is great if you're oily not great if you're dry).

I tried Inika and love the powder but I couldn't get a good shade match for me sadly as its a fab product.

I currently use Bellapierre and its a dream for me. Only 3 ingredients and it doesn't dry my skin and I look flawless all day.

If you use mineral foundation you need to set it. Ie use a spritz of water on top after application. It sounds mental but it ups it's staying power significantly and gives you a fully airbrushed finish. You can make you own with boiled tap water in spray bottle or buy a ready made one such as Evian or Avene. I use avene and it works fine.
You only need a tiny spritz so the smallest avene spray lasts me months literally (£1.5 I think from Boots).

Here
www.lilylolo.co.uk
And
www.naturisimo.com/index.cfm?nme=Bellapierre
Or
www.naturisimo.com/index.cfm?nme=Inika

You need an oil free foundation. Barbara Dailey exclusive to big stores of tesco has really sorted out my skin. I am no longer on medication however if I change, I break out again.

Mineral foundation really didn't work for me and made my skin break out worse than it ever had before.

I'm using the Lancôme Teint Idole 48hr wear with the miracle primer at the moment and am really liking it. It stays put all day and hasn't caused the horrendous breakouts I have suffered with so many other products.

Bare minerals for my combination skin (50) but I use the matte version - the original is a bit waxy on me. I then use a radiance powder o add some life back in.

Mmemorrible. You need to use one if the pure versions like the ones I described above.

If you use the ones made by Bobbi Brown, EL, EA etc you're not really getting that. You're getting something choc full of cheap skin irritating fillers such as bismuth oxycloride, diemethecone, polysilicone, nylon 12 crosspolymer, Stearoxytrimethylsilane and many others I couldn't spell much less want near my skin or in my house.
The small selection above are just a few of the 37 ingredients in Bobbi Browns "natural" mineral powder

That sort of stuff would most certainly break you out.

Even Bare minerals contain some of the above. Their matte version may omit bismuth oxycloride (scientifically linked to aggravating acne) but it contains something they call "earths minerals" and they refuse to be drawn on the actual ingredients are which means it could be any old thing

That's probably why you find it irritating.

It was the Bare Minerals that I tried. Actually I loved it to start with, bought loads of the stuff and then about 4 -5 weeks in my skin erupted terribly.

I use Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation. It's pretty heavy duty, but you only need a tiny bit which you can spread all over your face with a stippling brush for just the right amount of coverage. Been using it for two months and my (sensitive, spotty) face is grand. Just need a tiny bit of powder on my nose because it's not matifying.

Thanks all for so many comments. I have thought about mineral foundation but felt it all seemed a bit of a palaver. MrsFlorick I assume finding a good shade match with those brands is a bit trial and error as you can't just go into a beauty counter and have them do it for you. Some brands have been suggested here that I hadn't thought of so there is lots for me to investigate. Thank you.

Kiki.
Lily Lolo sells tester pots for £1.5. You can narrow it down and buy 2 or 3 and select a shade that way.

Inika is sold in Whole Foods in London and some John Lewis. As well as several independent organic cosmetics shops.

Bellapierre is fairly simple. They do shades for pink or yellow undertones.
I'm yellow based. I'm pale skin blonde hair blue eyes. And I use the Ivory mostly unless I'm very tanned (after tropical holiday) and I use cinnamon but its a touch too dark unless I am really tanned.
If the winter is very long with no spring (like year before last), I end up using their Ultra shade which is very pale.
They don't do samples but they did used to sell Bellapierre in House of Fraser. Don't think they still do tho.

Oh for comparison with Lily Lolo I have use their Warm Peach or popcorn shades. I've also used In The Buff or Barely Buff although this was years ago and they've changed the shades ever so slightly so their neutral tones are too pink for me.
Either that or my skin tone changed after having the DC. Also as possibility.

Can't help you much with Inika. None of the three shades I tried suited me.

Thank you MrsFlorick.

Bare Minerals foundation is great - I have bad skin but look like a normal human being when I put it on!
They also do a primer which I used for a bit and loved but when I got pregnant with DS the smell made me feel sick (even though its fragrance free!) and I could never be bothered to get anymore!