Natural looking foundation - does it exist?

[nicelyneurotic]

Think my makeup needs a refresh - especially foundation and concealer which look a bit heavy and obvious.
Want my skin to look like skin, but better.

What does everyone like at the moment?

I have pale combination skin, not keen on BB creams as they all seem really dark when they come out of the tube.

I like Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. Pricey, but worth it.

Thanks, I will check it out!

I also pale skinned and usually use a Bobbi Brown illuminating foundation which is pretty natural. However I'm on a money saving drive at the moment, so am trialling a No 7 foundation instead. It's half the price and really does make my skin look like skin, but better. Might be worth a try?

I have oily, dehydrated skin and I really like Mac Face and Body foundation, Laura Mercier oil free tinted moisturiser and Estee Lauder DoubleWear Light.

I prefer the last one - it looks very natural, lasts really well and seems to keep my skin more matte than the others.
The Mac one needs to be set with powder and it requires more touch-ups during the day than the DoubleWear light. But it looks absolutely amazing on the skin.

I recommend that you get samples before you buy. Mac do not give out samples, but they will apply the foundation on your face and you can then test it out for a day.

tinted moisturiserer mixed with moisturiser, I know it sounds mad but even TMs look cakey or too much. I am 52 now and believe me, you dont want anything to sit in the wrinkles. I use NARs tinted with body shop vit e moisturiser. It looks great, my skin looks good and it is not heavy or too much.

Application means a lot too btw - I find that a brush like Real Techniques Expert Face Brush or Buffing Brush really make it look amazing.

Too much product on the skin can make it settle into the fine lines and can make it look really cakey. A thin layer worked well into the skin with the brush makes a massive difference.

I use Clinique Even Better foundation. It's really light and thin but has amazing coverage. When I wear it I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup, and other people can't tell I've got anything on, other than the fact that all my blemishes have disappeared. If I dust some powder over it, it can last the whole day without becoming flaky or shiny. It's expensive but it's really worth it.

Thanks for the suggestions, I plan to have a look tomorrow.

Been meaning to get a real techniques brush for a while but wasn't sure which one to get.

Boots Intelligent Colour foundation is the bees knees. It is very light and just adds a touch of colour to my skin without making me look "made up"

bobbi brown foundation is the only one for me at the moment.

(in the past I veered between Double Wear, DW Light, Max Factor and Mac).

Urban decay naked skin liquid foundation. Applied with real techniques brush it's honestly amazing
I have it on in this pic
instagram.com/p/pgu0mdNd-Z/

Lancome Teint Miracle. I have a few foundations but every time I use that one I am amazed at how lovely my skin looks.

For me, you can't beat DW light, with MAC strobe cream dabbed over the top. Makes skin look lovely, natural and dewy.

Try Estée Lauder invisible fluid makeup.

I was always suspicious of makeup brushes, thought they were unnecessary expense & messing about. Then got one & it really makes a difference.

Yep, real techniques brushes make a huge difference.

Bobbi brown brushes are great. I think you want the "stippling" brush. Short handle with fat head. Agree with others that it makes all the difference.

Laura Mercier has a new one out - Flawless Fluide. I haven't tried it but it's supposed to be very light / natural wearing but long lasting up to 12 hours

I hate wet foundation, even the light ones seem sticky and clarty to me so I found the mineral powder foundation. I use bareminerals and love it. Takes seconds to do my whole face (honestly, under a minute for work make up) my skin is improving every day (had open pores and spots a lot) and it's reasonably priced! I bought a pack with the brushes first then just added as I needed. One pot of foundation (£18 on amazon) lasts me most of a year wearing it daily.

I use Bare minerals quite often too - I like liquid foundation but tend to end up using mineral one as so much quicker. As long as you don't use much (a little goes a long way) it looks completely natural. They also do several pale shades.