What do you wear on your face if you dislike foundation/tinted moisturiser/bb creams....?

[QueenCardigan]

I'm 41 and have worn the same bobbi brown powder for the past 10 years. It's time for a change and a little more coverage but I hate the look and feeling of wearing a mask.

I have tried a couple of tinted moisturisers and bb creams over the years but I dislike how they make me look made up. I want to look like me but better iyswim.

Other than powder I just wear blusher, mascara and lipstick.

I'm thinkng of looking at natural minerals stuff. Any other recommendations?

Yes try a mineral powder- they give coverage but look very natural and feel light on skin. Also they let skin breathe and take seconds to brush on.
I recommend Bare Minerals but I wouldn't bother with buying the full kit, just the brush and 1 pot of powder. (They will try to sell you a kit that includes primer, blusher, finishing-powder,) I fell for that at first but didn't need it.) I just put my normal moisturiser on first, let it sink in for about 20mins, then use the mineral powder. I always get it in pots (loose powder)... they also do a solid version that I find too heavy.

I swim without removing it, then just apply more when I come out of the pool. It doesn't cake or smudge in the water, it just seems to vanish

Benefit also does a good powder-foundation, in a handy little compact containing both brush and sponge. You can use the brush for light coverage and the sponge for extra coverage eg concealing dark circles or redness.

I'd also recommend the Micabella range.

I love bare minerals but not their brushes. I use mine with the Real Techniques buffing brush and find it much better and easier to use! MAC studio fix is good too, it's pretty decent coverage.

I usually use a tinted moisturiser type thing but there are days when even that feels a little much. I then tend to use a primer to smooth everything out (I have a Rimmel one, it's surprisingly good) and then I use Bourjois unifying powder over the top. It's like a cross between a foundation and a finishing powder. Doesn't last half as long as it claims but it is very good still.

I've also heard good things about MAC's CC creams. I know you say you want to avoid that kind of thing but it could be worth a look (I'm not sure how heavy they are though).

I'm 42 and have worn mineral makeup (Lily Lolo, they have great inexpensive samples) for the past 1.5 years. No going back. I look natural, undone, but my skin is flawless and the aging-related changes (slightly irregular skintone, hyperpigmentation and redness) are invisible. I have dry skin, use a good kabuki brush and fix the makeup with a mist of Avene thermal water. So happy that found this, am about to bin a bunch of liquid foundations.

Lily Lolo. Really like & cheaper. However I do feel like a walking advertisement. I am 44 & it covers a multitude of sins whilst looking natural. Only sold on line & you can get a range of sample pots to get the right colour match. Cheaper than bare minerals. Love their eyeshadow but lipsticks not a patch on MAC.

Btw Lily Lolo kubuki brush better than no 7.

Totally agree goshhhhhh: the Lily Lolo Kabuki is great, their lipsticks are crap and not worth buying, but their lipglosses are great.

I bought an inexpensive travel Kabuki from H&M for an euro or two, scratchier than Lily Lolo but applies mineral makeup just as well - good for backup as washing and drying a kabuki takes some time.

Clinique almost powder makeup for me. I think it is an all in one? I hate wearing anything foundationy too, and I never know how to blend it properly :-)

Hourglass Illusion tinted moisturiser. It's light on but with good coverage.

Here comes the blurb:
–
An advanced alternative to liquid foundation with added SPF 15 and clinical levels of anti-aging complexes to create a youthful, glowing complexion.
Ultra-rich and deeply moisturizing, Illusion offers medium to full coverage to help even out skin tone and create a natural, flawless finish. Added Instalift® at 3% lifts and visibly tightens the skin within one hour of application. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres- at 3% help minimize the appearance of wrinkles while increasing skin's hydration levels to deliver a healthy, dewy radiance.

Nothing nowadays.
Creams make me feel like I'm wearing a mask.
When I was younger I used to wear a bit of powder at times but now I look sad and old if I do.
If I rarely wear anything it'll be a dab of some donkeys years old illuminator stuff,and an attempt to dumb down redness with green corrector,and conceal eye shadows.

Bare minerals fan here too although I agree their brushes feel a little harsh after a while

Often just a good primer such as Laura Mercier.

Thank you so much everyone for all your replies. I will have a look online and then hit the shops next week to try some of the recommendations.

I too am a foundation hater (it always feels like it's sliding down my face) but having said that, I suddenly had a whim to buy some Catrice 12hr Matt Mousse Make Up the other day and was pleasantly surprised. I think it was because it was a mousse rather than the cream stuff. I apply it sparingly with a foundation brush, blend like a loon, and it looks like powder and hides my red bits.

The Body Shop do mineral powders, and will give you a little sample to try if you ask.

Absolutely adore Nars and Armani
Nars trumps slightly. (Used to love LM and BB ) as it s fantastic consistently - not heavy, can be worn as light as a moisturiser yet builds coverage so well. And lasts all day.

Plus it doesn't feel 'tight' or heavy (like double wear and double wear light did).

has anyone tried that compact with lots of colours that is often on a jml stand with a video? I am frequently entranced by the video and the idea of one compact fixing everything, but I realise that may be hopelessly naive. ..

Yes Reveal and it's nice but not full coverage. I get pretty angry hormonal acne, and I use it over tinted moisturiser when it's that time of month or over foundation if I'm going somewhere I need to look my best all night. It covers okay but not enough alone, it's a nice extra layer IYSWIM. I really like it and it has a nice finish.

How about this: www.origins.co.uk/product/10950/13004/Skincare/Range/GinZing/VitaZing/SPF-15-Energy-boosting-moisturizer-with-Mangosteen/index.tmpl

My mum absolutely loves this and it looks very natural and just like a slightly better version of her skin. I personally haven't tried it as I like more coverage but I have read several good reviews.

I swear by a little facial self tanner applied each night. Then I wake up with just enough colour to look healthy, negating the need for foundation or Bb cream etc.

If I ever forget to self tan, then I really like boots no 7 Superlight foundation, as you can't feel it in your skin.