Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Anyone had the No. 7 foundation shade scanner thingy done?

45 replies

FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 16:36

I had this done on Monday as I'm in the market for a new foundation and fancied trying a No. 7 one after seeing good reviews.

I am rather pale and the woman on the counter calculated that 'Calico' is a match for my skin. I have perioral dermatitis so have to be very careful what products I use, so she gave me a sample to try to see if I'm allergic to it or not.

I've used it for a few days and it doesn't seem to irritate me, but the colour is all wrong. It looks very pink/orangey on my skin Sad I have a bit of redness on my nose & spreading slightly accross my cheeks, and on my chin so I don't know if this is the problem? I originally thought it was down to the loose powder I've been using afterwards but I checked before applying the powder today and it still looks weird.

Has anyone else had this done and the colour hasn't suited?

OP posts:
amothersplaceisinthewrong · 17/10/2014 16:38

I had it done about a year ago when it first came out and my colour is fine. I am pretty pale and ended up with warm ivory which seems right.

Can you go into another Boots and get it done again.....

pinktransit · 17/10/2014 16:44

I had it done, and have reddish cheeks and nose. The supervisor came over while I was being scanned, and asked the girl doing the scanning to use the skin tone under my jawline, as having a rosy glow would give the wrong shade.
I'm pale, and ended up with cool ivory, which I love.

SwedishEdith · 17/10/2014 16:46

I've had it done twice - the first time I got "beige" Hmm. Knew that was wrong but second time I think she got it right (deeply ivory, I think)

Fubsy · 17/10/2014 16:50

It recommended Calico for me too, but the woman put some on me by the window and said it was too yellow. She recommended the next shade which was Cool Ivory I think, still pale but more neutral.

Its OK but I'm not sure about the texture - it seems to sit in my pores.

They should exchange it - I'm sure no 7 do that.

Mostlyjustaluker · 17/10/2014 16:53

I had it done three times and was given three different colours! But each time they have given me a sample to go away and try so I tried a few before I was happy.

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 17/10/2014 16:55

It recommended the palest shade for me, as the sales assistant scanned under my jaw. This completely wiped out any colour I'd gained during the summer and turned me into a really ill-looking version of myself. Not good.

Vunderbaard · 17/10/2014 16:57

Yes, but for the lipstick so they didn't try any foundations on me. They said I was warm when I am actually cool. The new lipstick is very nice though!

Chottie · 17/10/2014 17:03

I know several people who have had the skin colour done and we've all ended up with the same colour (!) foundation and we do not have the same colouring.....

FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 17:12

I may go and get it done again then. The woman who did it was in a mega rush to finish for her lunch break so didn't actually try the colour on me Hmm

OP posts:
gobbin · 17/10/2014 17:38

I had it done and I was Warm Ivory. It's a perfect match for me, fair play.

I recently had a basic makeover done at the local bareMinerals counter and she showed me how to use just one drop of foundation on each side of the face for light coverage, two drops for medium.

I've used a brush to apply foundation for years but after this I realised I was slathering myself which is why it was settling. Now I use a drop (of the No. 7 foundation) each side and a dead cheap mattifying powder from Wilkinsons which is absolutely brilliant.

QOD · 17/10/2014 17:47

Yes and it's perfect. However, cheek/jaw line scan made me ivory, I'm very olive
She said no, no way. And did my neck. Honey and it's spot on!
My face is patchy which I think is why she got ivory

McGlashan · 17/10/2014 17:51

I was in today as they sold me Calico and it is far too orangey. Didn't even mention I could return it- just said 'oh dear what a shame'. For the last 6 or 7 years I used their shade of Alabaster as it was one of the few foundations out there that was pale enough. So they bloody well discontinued it and Calico is the replacement but far too dark. i am not a happy bunny. I need to find a new foundation.

Milmingebag · 17/10/2014 17:56

I have had it done just this last week as I wanted to see if I would get a better outcome than a rose one they gave me before (I looked like a beetroot in that bugger) as my skin has turned very pale after the summer. I took my Mum with me for another pair of eyes. The machine measured me as a cool beige. This when applied left me with a tango face. My Mum said I looked 'like one of those Debenhams counter women with a tide mark'.

It was worse when I got outside in natural light.

I have found Mac to be accurate -they matched me as a NW20 which was spot on so will go back to that I think. There is a resource online called the foundation matrix that if you know your shade in one brand- will tell you good matches in others.

scousadelic · 17/10/2014 18:00

I have had mine done today and it said I was "beige" which surprised me as I am quite pale but I tried a touch of it on my jawline and it looked ok so I will see when I try the sample properly. She did also give me a sample of one shade lighter just in case.

FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 18:04

Milmingebag (great name) that website sounds great, I'll remember that.

I might go to mac and see what they are like. I am just worried about it irritating me though Sad my most perfect foundation ever was EL Double Wear but I'm allergic to it. I've been using Vichy Dermablend and LRP's equivalent as I've had terrible acne for years but it's recently cleared up a bit so I'm looking for something which isn't as heavy (plus, both of their lightest shades are now too orange on me).

OP posts:
OutDamnSpot · 17/10/2014 18:08

I've had it done twice. Pre-summer I was cool ivory, post-summer warm ivory. I think I prefer the latter but am in love with my smashbox foundation currently so no. 7 is on hold until that runs out.

OneLittleLady · 17/10/2014 19:10

I had it done and was matched to the palest shade, calico i think it is. Looked okay under store lighting but after i bought i and tried it natural light, it was way too dark for me, several shades too dark in fact. I gave it my sister who is several shades darker than me and it suits her perfectly. Now wearing the palest shade in Double Wear Light which seems just right for me

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/10/2014 20:08

I had it done- good colour but foundation goes patchy after a few hours. If you don't like it op Boots will swap it for something else.

FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 20:10

It's only a tester so I've not spent anything Smile

I am swinging towards something else then. Does anyone have any recommendations? Under £30 but the cheaper end would be better. Do MAC do loads of different foundations? Which is the best one?

OP posts:
FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 20:11

Forgot to say it needs to be good coverage due to my redness, and I've already used mineral makeup before and didn't get on with it Sad

OP posts:
fattymammy · 17/10/2014 20:16

Also had it done about year ago and only used foundation twice felt heavy and cakey looked like Had mask on . total waste of £15

roughtyping · 17/10/2014 20:16

Have you tried Illamasqua skin base? It's my favourite, I love it. I also get red patches and it covers extremely well.

FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 20:36

I've never tried any Illamasqua stuff as I find it intimidating Grin there's a shop here in leeds. Are the assistants usually nice?

OP posts:
Sunny67 · 17/10/2014 22:53

I had mine done last year, I came up as a cool ivory. The colour is spot on, I can put a really small amount on just to even out the skin under my eyes and around my nose without seeing a tide mark. I've spent/wasted so much money over the years on too dark or pink foundation,

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/10/2014 22:56

Imo you can't beat Revlon colour stay for covering redness, plus bare minerals bisque concealer.

Swipe left for the next trending thread