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Original poster

How do you choose a foundation?

71 replies

Pyjamaramadrama · 04/02/2016 09:12

I've had some vouchers for Xmas and thought I'd invest in some nice new make up.

But how on earth do I choose?

I usually stick to well known brands like Max Factor, Maybelliene. Boots have so many make up counters I don't even know what brand to try let alone what type and then finding the right shade.

The women on the make up counters have sold me some right rubbish before and the lighting in the stores is awful.

Where to start?

OP posts:

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 04/02/2016 09:16

Okay iv been in cosmetics six years.

What kind of coverages are you looking for? E.g full coverage, light coverage etc?

What's your main concerns with your skin?

Do you like a matte coverage or an illuminating brightening one?

Tell me about your skin, dry? Oily? Etc

Original poster

Pyjamaramadrama · 04/02/2016 09:24

Thanks for replying.

Well I'd like a light coverage for day to day wear.

I'm quite fair skinned and can look quite pale and washed out.

I'd say my skin is normal with an ever so slightly oily t zone.

I guess I'd like something brightening although do not want to look shiny.

OP posts:

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 04/02/2016 09:31

I'd go an ask to be shade matched and given a sample of double wear light by Estee lauder, touched eclat by ysl and naked skin by urban decay. Then you can try them out at home and see how they last throughout the day and what the shade they give is like in different lights. If you love one but think it's not the exact shade just go back and tell them.

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 04/02/2016 09:35

Even though you are pale you should ALWAYS go for an exact match with your foundation, especially because you are pale. Then you warm it up using bronzer and blush. Hoola from benefit is a good non shimmer matte bronze that looks natural. So youd literally just touch either side of the brush against the bronzer then blow off excess and apply in a three shape either side of your face above brow down into the hollow below your cheekbone then along the jaw line and repeat the other side. Blend it right in. Then your blush.

Original poster

Pyjamaramadrama · 04/02/2016 09:47

Thanks for the tips. Well I think I'm applying my bronzer correctly.

I suppose I'll have to go make up free to get the correct shade matched?

Yes I agree nothing worse than putting a too dark foundation on fair skin.

OP posts:

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 04/02/2016 10:34

No you can just get them to remove a small amount from your jaw line when you get there.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 04/02/2016 11:52

I am very pale and like a light foundation, I used to love the clinique almost make up but they stopped doing it. I now use Lancome Teint Miracle which I do quite like but my skin is normal to dry so different to yours. A blusher I like is clinique peony but I just looked on their website and they seem to have stopped doing it.

so basically I have been no help whatsoever have I. sorry.

PurpleDaisies · 04/02/2016 11:54

My skin is the same as yours. I use YSL touché eclat foundation-it is gorgeous. I got the colour done at a boots counter and it is perfect. It looks like you have naturally perfect skin rather than like you're wearing make up. Highly recommended.

Canshopwillshop · 04/02/2016 12:02

I've used loads of different foundations over the years from the high end to the budget but I've fallen in love with the Liz Earle signature foundation. You can build up the coverage so can keep it light for daytime or apply a bit more for nighttime. It never dries my skin out like some others I've used. It also comes in a wide range of shades so you should be able to find a good match. Definitely take the advice above and ask for a sample to try at home before you buy.

CauliflowerBalti · 04/02/2016 12:18

Another vote for Touche Eclat by YSL - the foundation is lovely. I hate the feeling of foundation on my skin and I always find Estee Lauder too heavy, even though it doesn't look it - Double Wear is a great great foundation.

BarricadesBabe · 04/02/2016 13:05

My go-to one is YSL Perfect Touch - the shade I use (no. 5 I think?) is a perfect match for my (pale) skin tone and it somehow manages to be invisible yet there IYSWIM. Great light coverage of pinky blotches on nose and chin and easy to apply with built-in brush applicator and/or fingers.

I add a layer of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm underneath and highlight with YSL Touche Eclat pen if I feel I need brightening up a bit.

Original poster

Pyjamaramadrama · 04/02/2016 13:20

Lots of votes for YSL then, I'll definitely ask for a sample of that.

OP posts:

lurkingabit · 04/02/2016 15:20

I don't like a heavy make-up look. I use Chanesl Aqua Vitalumiere. It is lovely. All light and glowy.

superbfairywren · 04/02/2016 18:32

I was just going to ask this same question. I've never been shadeatched for foundation but definitely going to get some soon. I always just buy from superdrug and normally end up with something far too orange for my pasty skin. Currently using the body shop palest bb cream and even that is a bit too beige for me! Will be using these tips.

SingingSamosa · 04/02/2016 20:08

I used Estee Lauder double wear light for years but then after I'd had the kids it seemed to heavy for me. I tried a few others but eventually settled on Boots No 7 Colour Perfect (I think that's what it's called?), which worked for a couple of years. However I'm now noticing that I'm really reacting to it on my cheeks so am having to go without foundation at the moment. My trouble is that since I've been on my new medication (infliximab infusions) my skin has erupted into a psoriasis flare so looks awful all over and it's all over my cheeks so I need to cover up even more. I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm due to see a dermatologist soon so am hoping that some sort of miracle cream will sort me out and I can start wearing foundation again!!

Original poster

Pyjamaramadrama · 04/02/2016 20:16

Thanks for all the replies.

Samosa sorry to hear about your psoriasis flare up, I suffered with psoriasis as a child.

Tea tree products used to help, bit of a long shot.

OP posts:

SingingSamosa · 04/02/2016 20:25

I didn't have psoriasis (except for an occasional tiny 5p sized area on my scalp) until I started my new meds - now it's everywhere! Ironically, the meds I'm on are sometimes used to treat severe psoriasis!

I'm going to ask for a sample of the YSL perfect touch. Hopefully my skin tone (I am anaemic so usually extremely pale!) will be called something a little more exciting than the magnolia (or similar) that I usually get!

BubsandMoo · 04/02/2016 21:05

I'm doing a makeup overhaul as well, and looking for new foundation. Have a look on the Lisa Eldridge youtube channel or her website, she's a makeup artist, and she has loads of tutorial videos and 'basics' videos, I watched a whole series about foundations - formulas for different skin types, colourmatching etc. After watching them through I feel like I understand the options available with modern foundations much better and have chosen a few to try out.

Casmama · 04/02/2016 21:27

I use one of the boots foundations as they are quite cheap and they use a little machine to colour match your skin. I think I've got the illuminating one which is nice and light but they do heavier coverage one too.

Judydreamsofhorses · 04/02/2016 22:00

baricadesbabe I hate to tell you but YSL have discontinued that foundation. Bastards. I have a couple stashed that I got in France and am keeping an eye out for a suitable alternative.

GraceKellysLeftArm · 04/02/2016 22:03

For subtle coverage on pale skins I can thoroughly recommend:

Chanel Vitalumiere
Dior Star
Shiseido (very good for pale skins! - can't recommend any particular product as they've discontinued the one I had)

GraceKellysLeftArm · 04/02/2016 22:05

I tried Estee Lauder double wear but even the palest shade made me look like I should be working in a chocolate factory.

SingingSamosa · 04/02/2016 22:14

I tried Estee Lauder double wear but even the palest shade made me look like I should be working in a chocolate factory

YY A problem I have all of the time!!

Postchildrenpregranny · 05/02/2016 00:25

I too have extremely fair skin, though quite good for my age (freckles in summer). I have used high end foundations e.g Clarins ,but the best I found was Max Factor Whipped Creme in their palest shade ,No 40 , for winter, mixed half and half with the next one up ,No50, for summer when I have a bit more colour and occasionally want to disguise the freckles which are a bit 'girly' for evening at my advanced age . And what have they done , they appear to have discontinued it . Bs as someone up thread said .I have a number 40 stashed away but cant get the 50 anywhere .Am trying another of theirs.The colour is fine but the cover is not so good .
YSL Touche Eclat I found too 'watery'
Might try Estee Lauder ...
A Laura Mercier consultant once sold me a pot at £42 about ten years ago . Wonderful texture ,but it gave me a tideline .Grrgh. Can you mix foundations from different manufacurers? It would prboably make my MF one the right colour ...

Chottie · 05/02/2016 05:27

Exasperated - I would really appreciate it if you could advise me too.

I have normal to dry skin with no breakouts, but need a good coverage to hide some sun spots and freckles. My skin colour is a medium fair with some pinkness on my cheeks and my hair colour is fair. I like a soft, natural, glowing with good health look.....

I always seem to get fobbed off with too dark coloured foundations. I was colour matched by a No. 7 consultant, but it just was not right. I felt disillusioned too by having 4 friends (on another forum) in completely different areas of the UK who were all colour matched by No 7 to exactly the same shade as me too :( despite all having different skin colouring..

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