Foundation - where am I going wrong?

[ilovetosleep]

I just can't get it right! I have used MAC Mineralize Moisture liquid foundation for ages as it's the best I can do and the colour is good - NC15 or 20 - but it just doesn't stay put. I use Mineralize skin finish natural powder on top. It looks fab on application, just the right amount of dewy and coverage, I have pretty good skin tbh but it's v uneven in tone and I'm so pale I look ill barefaced. Anyway by the time I'm back from the school run its already starting to wear off and by lunch time I look like I'm wearing nothing. I have tried Mac, maybeline and nars primers - Nars is the best but it still doesn't last. I have tried a brush, fingers, beauty blender and stippling brush. Stippling or sponge prob the best.

More recently I have tried bare minerals original - it is so cakey and Matt no matter how much buffing I do, and the fine lines are so bad with it. And my skin just looks dry and patchy when I use it. Have also tried the new bourjois city radiance which my skin also seems too dry for. I have tried mixing with a little oil - doesn't work. I thought I had normal- dry skin but 99% of foundations make it seem very dry so I guess I do have dry skin despite using loads of moisture in my routine.

Is there any thing else I could try? I particularly want a high street option as I can't afford to spend £29 on my Mac for every day use.
Thanks!

I have never been able to get on well with foundation either, so I use Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. If you have good skin it evens out skin tone beautifully and is super easy to use. If you need more coverage you can always add in a bit of foundation. It's not cheap but you get almost twice the amount vs. foundation and you don't need much. I go through about a tube and a half a year, maybe less. Plenty of choice colour range wise too and it stays on all day with me, LM primers are excellent too but a bit of powder keeps it all in place well enough for me where foundation starts breaking up within hours.

Have you tried a primer?

To be honest I've never gotten on with Laura mercier. I've found Mac studio fix fluid and Estée Lauder double wear light best for staying power. Both finished with the Mac skin finish natural. It is a more Matt finish though which does frustrate me sometimes but the staying power wins out for me over switching to something more dewy. My sister swears by no7 instant radiance.

I've been tempted by Laura Mercier in the past but assumed as a tinted moisturiser its staying power would be even weaker. But maybe I'l try and get a sample.

I don't really want high matt coverage which is why I'd discounted double wear etc but I haven't tried any of the otehr MAC foundations so maybe I'll try studio fix too.

It sounds like you need a long wearing foundation. I have oily skin and MAC Mineralize doesn't last more than a few hours on me. I use Armani Lasting Silk, Bobbi Brown Long Wear or MAC Pro Longwear foundations. Primer doesn't really make much of a difference to longevity in my opinion, but if your skin is oily you might want to try one designed to absorb oils, like Smashbox Photo Finish Light.

There are budget long wear foundations out there like Revlon Colorstay. My advice if you buy a new foundation is to test a little on the back of your hand and wait a few minutes for it to dry. Rub it gently, if it's a long wear formula it won't budge or transfer. If you try this with MAC Mineralize you'll notice it will smudge. I wouldn't recommend Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser as a previous poster suggested as it's not long wearing.

Hope that helps.

Just wanted to add, I wouldn't go down the route of a powder / mineral foundation either. You need a liquid foundation that has ingredients that will help it adhere to the skin and not transfer. In MAC's range that is the Studio Fix Fluid and Pro Longwear foundations. I personally prefer Pro Longwear as it has a more natural, dewy finish, but if you're interested in MAC you may want to test both and see which you prefer.

YSL fusion ink is very good. Long lasting on my oily skin.

I probably should have added that the reason I don't get on with most foundations and why TM works great for me is due to dehydration in my skin. No matter how well it's taken care of the wrong foundation emphasises dryness like OP mentioned who has normal to dry skin. The water is simply sucked out of the foundation and breaks it up and you end up looking worse than barefaced. If oiliness is the reason for not getting on with foundation I know LM does an oil-free version of the TM but I don't think that'll be one for long staying power either since oily skin just has very different needs.

I've bought every foundation under the sun from the cheapest to the dearest!

I have found Collection lasting Perfection to stay put all day! It is the best foundation I've ever bought. Only downside is there isn't a lot of shade choices. I use the concealer as well and it's fab!
I work long shifts and need the make up to stay put and look perfect. This does.

It's not the original double wear that I was talking about op. It's the light version. More natural and less cakey in my experience.

OP, I don't know if you've ever seen Wayne Goss on YouTube. But, he suggests that if you're having a problem with your foundation staying put, you should put on your primer, then your powder, then your foundation. And, it actually seems to work

Bare Minerals original- is that the powder stuff? You have to be so good at that, or you look like Barbara Cartland having been tango'd. Anything by Estee Lauder has an orange glow about it, even in the lightest shades I've always found. I used to love Clarins Instant Smooth dippy pot cream foundation but they stopped making it.

I have tried loads, from cheap as chips to Chanel/Dior etc. I'm currently using Clinique Laser repair (because my Mum who is 70 has amazing skin and it's what she uses ) but I'm going off to try Tate's recommendation, because this week she is my personal shopping guru!

Lancome do a 24hr foundation (Tient idole I think) which I use and it's not matt like doublewear but lasts for ages. Also comes in good shades for pale skin.

The Lancôme sounds good. I might try that too!

Are you using too much moisturiser? I have the same issues as you. Am ghastly pale with some uneven skin tone and very purple under eye circles ( it's a family trait.) I don't have oily skin at all (too old for that!)

I've recently tried the following: let moisturiser sink in for a good 15 mins before applying foundation, use two coats of foundation, (using Dior Star which is satin finish), powder lightly over under eye concealer, powder REALLY lightly over half of my cheeks and chin. using Bobbi Brown powder compact in yellow.

I love Elizabeth Arden foundations.
They stay put.
My skin is oily too so what I normally do is before I put the foundation on I use a tiny amount of liquid concealer and then add foundation over it and set with powder.
I use max factor loose powder in translucent.
The benefit that gal primer is good for oily skin or just generally to keep hold of your foundation.

Urban Decay make up setting spray. Works like a charm. Quick blast after your setting powder.

Thanks for the replies! Lots not recommendations to try - hope some of those higher end ones will do samples as I can't afford to get it wrong again! Good tip about the moisturiser. Maybe I do use a lot - well it's doing the job but I will definitely try waiting a while longer before applying foundation.

Still on the hunt for a light cover high street option to try. Can anyone recommend anything from bourjois (they are a good colour for me, slightly yellow toned) ?

Clinique are doing a 5 day sample of their new one at the moment.

Check out Lily Lolo!!

I generally apply moisturiser, then a layer of powder over it. I find it helps stop any greasiness from the foundation. Then I may or may not use a primer.

I also have a setting spray (urban decay) that I use on nights out to keep makeup in place, also worth a shot.

Bourjois healthy mix in 51 might be OK, the normal one though, not the healthy mix serum, that is a weird slimy consistency.

I'm reading good things about Bourjois' new foundation, but can't remember its name, radiant sth poss?

Maybelline dream silk liquid is lovely for an el cheapo one. The Max Factor whipped creme one is nice too.

what about L'Oreal True Match? There is Ivory and Rose Ivory (I think) and both are pale. They also list their shades as N W and C.

violetbunny - I have Lasting Silk too. Does it really smell very alcohol-y?

ilovetosleep - happens to me too. By a few hours, my foundation is gone so I normally just don't bother. However, I think the Chanel Les Beiges foundation lasts longer than the ones I have tried. Also try the NARS Velvet Matte skin tint. Or the NARS foundations like Sheer Glow or All Day Luminous. I have not tried them but they are being raved on Youtube for longevity.