How do you choose a foundation?

[Pyjamaramadrama]

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?

Another vote for Estee Lauder - I use double wear normally or double wear light in the summer. I've got oily t-zone and it's the best one I've found to actually last the whole day.

I do like Lancome Teint Miracle too, one of their shades was a perfect match and it looks great when first on, but it doesn't last on my skin and I look washed out by mid afternoon. more than usual I mean

Chottie I'd try ysl fusion which is brightening and coverage can be built up, it's also weightless, Estee lauder double wear light not just double wear as it's not brightening, would look too matte and chalky on your skin, and I'd possibly ask at dior and clarins for a sample.

I know from working in cosmetics the women WILL want you to buy straight away but you really should ask for sample and go try them at home to see how they wear on your skin. Then when you find the one you like go back to the counter and take the sample you were given (so you don't get the wrong shade) and sit down and let them try it on you there with some other products like primer (my favourite is benefits stay flawless) concealer, my favourite for under eyes is Estee lauder brush on glow because it illuminates like touche eclat but it also conceals which touche eclat doesn't do.

Laura geller brightening primers also fab if you wnat a nice dewy complexion.

One of my first thoughts is fragrance- I won't use any foundation that is perfumed for fear of a reaction. I also check the brand out on the website Beautypedia- it will tell you how much alcohol is in the foundation- alcohol is irritating and dries skin out. So I avoid all by Lancome as they are highly perfumed and full of alcohol- you can smell it the moment you open the bottle.

I am also very pale, so the brands that cater for me (High St and Dept stores) are Bobbi Brown, Dior, Clinique, Nars and possibly Estee Lauder.
I find that many of the recommendations on this forum for 'pale' shades are not pale at all- often very yellow.

Currently using Dior Star in 101 which is pale and neutral.

The coverage is good but it's a very light foundation with light reflecting particles.

Judydreamsofhorses Oh noooooo! Am not in UK so maybe I'll get lucky and have time to grab a stash - thanks for the warning.

If they really have given it the boot I'll be looking for a new one myself. Sounds like the Touche Eclat might be it, or perhaps Chanel Vitalumiere?

Dior Nude Skin is great for me, and I also have very pale skin (and am old, so need some cover, but don't want too much of a made-up look)

Exasperated - thanks for your advice :)

I am using Bare Minerals atm. I am nearly 60 and have a lot of broken veins. My cheeks are a different colour to the skin round my eyes and the skin on my neck; and I have never matched properly - if I try to match to my eye are then I become a ghost, and if I don't then I'm wearing a mask! It's all to difficult for me. I use medium in bare minerals, and can use fewer layers (but that might be my imagination). I have given up and use it because I'm used to it, I suppose.

I have dark brown hair and pale skin (Irish) and have used DiorSkin Nude in shade 010. My skin is quite good but do get blackheads on nose and chin and redness around nose. This gives good coverage without being too heavy. I only use it on my nose and chins and it fills in open pores perefctly.

I am 51 and have very pink cheeks that look as though I am wearing blusher. I have clear unlined skin and quite like my look to be natural, so I am sticking with facial oils, serums and tinted moisturisers.

When I was 20 I had chickenpox and my mum took me to John Lewis and bought me quite a heavy Elizabeth Arden foundation, bless her, to hide the marks as they healed up. I quite liked the "made up" look for going out, but then a housemate pointed out that my skin tone underneath the makeup was rather attractive in its own right.

Now that I am older, I think that a sparing use of make up is more complimentary and young-looking.

Whichever brand you go for, ask them to apply it to your jawline and then go outside the shop to check it in daylight. Do not trust the lighting in the shop, as it will be more flattering than natural light.

Best. Foundation. Ever

I don't think you need to spend a fortune - expensive doesn't always mean better. The main thing I think is to determine your undertone, if you get this wrong it doesn't matter how much you spend it will never look right. If you have yellow undertones there are only a few brands that do suitable foundation. I spent years trying to find the perfect foundation but it always looked too pink or unnatural around the tide line. Once I discovered I had yellow undertones it was a revelation and I've never looked back. Have a look online first about how to determine your undertone then research which brands will be best for you. Ultimately beauty counter staff want to sell you a product and what looks nice in artificial light in a department store will not necessarily look right in daylight.

For the lady who is outside the UK, see if you can get hold of Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme - gorgeous coverage but like hen's teeth in the UK and I wouldn't trust ebay/amazon not to be fake.

It was recommended on S&B years ago and I grabbed a pot in the states and only cracked it open yesterday - it's heavenly. Luminous, light but easy to whack on another coat like ronseal.

Not too pricey at all either.

Another vote for the Lancome miracle-teint, but as another poster mentioned it is extremely fragranced - to the point it might clash with a perfume for the first half hour or so.

Another vote for the Lancome miracle-teint

Lancome Teint Miracle is full of alcohol which is really bad for skin.

Have a read....

www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/lancome/_/Teint-Miracle-Lit-From-Within-Makeup-Natural-Skin-Perfection-SPF-15-Sunscreen

I agree with Rooby- no need to spend a fortune.

Couple of years ago, I went to posh department store to source foundation. Completely overwhelmed by the choice, then spotted sales assistant whose foundation looked amazing- she just looked fresh, dewy and radiant and (unless she had absolutely perfect skin to start with) excellent coverage. I asked her which foundation she was wearing, and she replied "Boots no. 7". And that's what I've worn ever since.

I spend ages trying to get the right shade. The assistants in John Lewis near me are fab. They give me a mirror and let me go outside to check the colour. See if they'll do that then give you a sample.

I have switched from Touche Eclat to Nars tinted moisturiser, it's sooooo much nicer to wear and apply and the coverage is just as good. Also SPF 30. People keep telling me how good my skin looks. I'm 46, very pale, dry skin, bit of redness.

I have the same skin type as you OP and am always the palest shade. I have tried Lancôme Teint Miracle but it oxidised on me and turned darker on my face (the alcohol perhaps?). Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum goes on nicely but is too yellow. Max Factor Whipped Cream is gorgeous but I think has been discontinued? At the moment I'm using L'Oreal True Match which has been reformulated into a lighter formulation and I really like it. I use the colour N1 Ivory which is neutral but you can also get cool or warm shades. I really want to try YSL Touche Eclat foundation.

I can mever bear the feeling of foundation sitting on my skin

But the Nars tinted moisturiser sounds good

Does it smudge?

How do people who wear foundation blow their nose without it all coming off?

Schnitzel is the NARS tinted moisturiser good then? I've been put off TM ever since years ago I tried the Laura Mercier one and I just didn't like it.

Also I prefer more SPF can I add my usual SPF on top of it?

Touch Eclat foundation is the one that's being discontinued and replaced with one with more coverage.
Don't get too attached to it.

Baby I'm really careful re blowing my nose and either only do it lightly or apply more after. I currently use a compact.

Also to the person (I think exasperated) who said about bronzer being great, it is, honestly. I've not used it for past few months (winter and brush in train with bronzer and there are compact cream bronzers too I want to try). Honestly it makes you look more healthy.

I've never got on with Laura Mercier TM either, hated BB/CC creams as well but I love love love the Nars - really weightless, good staying power, nice coverage. I use primer underneath because I am ancient. Dunno about the additional SPF.

If you're near a Space NK they will give you a little tester pot.