Off to Selfridges to buy foundation

[wakemewhenitssummer]

I'm going to browse, get samples and hopefully buy the perfect base.
Yellowy, middle aged skin. I'm looking for a youthful glow rather than shine and need something with staying power.

Which brands would you recommended?

Bobbi brown

I stand my the unglamorous but fantastic old workhorse bare minerals original. Fair golden is light and yellowy. this brush makes a huge difference in how silky and lovely it feels when applied.

Becca shimmering skin prefector in moonstone as a primer under makeup (but over my regular moisturiser) is what really makes the huge difference. It looks very shimmery on, but once you put make up on top, it turns into a golden glow.

Hourglass highlighters/contour shades are the other trick for the glowy, dewy looks.

I'd invest more in that, than actual foundation.

Doublewear is the best for me! They always offer tester around here.

While shopping in Selfridges is glamorous, i much prefer the bespoke foundation blending service at www.cosmeticsalacarte.com/shop/my-mix-foundation.html

Hope you find what you are looking for.

This is my goal too, OP, so please report back. I've got very very dry skin, especially my forehead and sides of my nose. I've just got a sample of the Estee Lauder double wear light, I was a bit meh about it actually. I think EL are very good about giving out samples, I used the counter in John Lewis. Im too scared to try the other counters - it seems that years ago, they were all happy to give samples, so I dont know why this has changed.

One I've tried in the past, that did do that 'dewy' thing for me, but wasnt enough coverage at the time (my skin was terrible!), was Lancome Photogenic Lumessance. They were also good about giving samples.

If you find Selfridges too snooty, hop on a bus or a tube to sloan square to Peter Jones, they are way more friendly, its less busy, and they'll probably be more keen to give out samples or do samples on you in the shop. Its way more civilised than the West End!

Please report back with the good, the bad and the downright rubbish!

Good Luck OP!

Hourglass are great. If they don't have it in Selfridges they do in Liberty and they couldn't be nicer.

If you have no joy getting samples in Selfridges, I have been never had any bother getting them in Debenhams from Estee Lauder,Bare Minerals, Clarins, clinique.

I have used Giorgio Armani in the past. It was amazing. Never had issues getting samples from them. On the sample note I also find that some SAs are hugely snooty and refuse to give out samples. Ridiculous. Why would one splurge huge amounts on a product that you are not sure will suit? I have also used Bare Minerals, both the liquids and loose minerals. MAC has,some great foundations and they always give samples. Lots of yellow toned foundations.
I am currently using Boots No7. I tried their colour match service just out of curiosity. So impressive. Best colour match I've ever had. Fantastic staying power too AND they gave samples.
Hope you find a foundation you like.

I'm yellowy too and have found the best colour match to be Bobbi Brown and NARS. Hope you get what you're looking for.

I've tried almost ALL Bobbi Brown and can't find any that are the right formula. Too oily, too dry (the make up not my skin), too little coverage...

I've now settled on Dior Star in 010 which is neutral. They do the shades in neutral, pink and yellow tones.

It's light reflective but not shiny, medium to full coverage but not thick.

Hi Op from what you describe you're looking for I'd definitely go to Clarins - their True Radiance foundation is absolutely brilliant IMO. Like PPs have said they seem OK with giving samples and will try the make up on you in a very non-sales way.

I think Clarins skincare is overrated but their foundations are good. I used the Extra Firming and loved it but the lightest shade was just that tiny bit too dark. You need to check the alcohol content- some of them are high in it which means they dry fast and cover ok, but long term it's bad for your skin.

Reporting back on my quest.
Sadly didn't get to Selfridges instead went to JL, HoF and SpaceNK

I discounted

Bobbi Brown. This has been my go to for years because the colours are great for my skin tone, but like Polly I've never quite found the right formula.

Clarins, lovely products & nice staff but there wasn't really a good colour match. They were all to pink for my sallow skin.

By Terry, I looked briefly but I couldn't justify the cost.

Nars, the staff were a bit disinterested

Lancôme, there were too many other customers and I was running out of steam and my shopping companion threatened to run away

My absolute favourites were YSL Touché Eclat and Dior Star. Both counters happily gave me samples and in fact Lancôme are doing a free 7 day trial at the moment in JL.

I had half a face of each and went off for a couple of hours to decide. TBH they both looked identical.
In the end I went for the YSL because the sales assistant was so smiley and patient.

Fellow yellowy skin person here; we seem to be a minority! Estée Lauder is the only brand with the right tone for my pale but sallow complexion. Their Double Wear in Sand is perfect.

Good luck - will be interested to hear how you get on.

Try Guerlain Lingerie de peau.It comes in yellow, neutral or pink tones and has good coverage yet glowy effect.

Final follow up.
I've been wearing the YSL since 8am and it's lasted fairly well. I used Laura Mercier primer but no powder.

It survived 3 hours outside and then a couple of hours of central heating with only a tiny bit of a shiny forehead.

If I was a glamorous sort I'd be retouching now.

Seems a good choice for sallow skinned mature skin like mine.

Glad you found something and will put the YSL on my list to try considering you liked Dior Star which is mine ATM.

My problem is shades- in B Brown I am Porcelain (just) but the next shade up is far too yellow. Dior 101 is good but on my skin looks a half/ quarter shade darker than my naturally pale face.

Assts can never decide if I'm cool or warm - Dior said def not pink toned. But a while ago, EL couldn't decide. Clarins is quite pink on me (Ivory) .

I used to love the bobby brown moisture rich foundation but my absolute fave is Dior airflash. I never spray it directly onto my fash. I just spritz a bit onto my sigma f80 brush. I love it. You look airbrushed.