I look tired and old

[Nicketynac]

I am in my late thirties and have a ten month old baby. I am tired but I look worse than I feel.
I have oily, oily skin with big pores on and around my nose. I have lines around my eyes (years of not wearing my glasses) plus saggy bags and a big line across my forehead. I also have melasma which means I need a high SPF - currently using Biore Watery Essence then Bare Minerals powder sunscreen over my foundation. I am also very pale!
I am pretty happy with my skin care routine and my skin is not as oily as it has been in the past. I have recently started using The Ordinary Vitamin C suspension at night but it is too soon to notice a difference.
Make up settles in my lines no matter what I do.

1. I need a foundation that is long lasting and oil free but not really matte as they are usually too heavy for me. Anything luminising or light reflecting etc makes me shiny within an hour but I would like something light. Recent failures include the new Lancôme cushion (the long-wear one), Clinique Chubby in The Nude, Max Factor Perfect Touch, No 7 long lasting one, normal and lighter versions.
   
2. I need an under-eye concealer that makes me look awake! Touché eclat type ones do nothing for me (on top of or instead of regular concealer) and most regular concealers I have tried settle in my lines and almost make them more noticeable.
   
3. I should probably change primer. I am using a Mac one which is not silicone based but I don't think it is right for me. I would love a primer which is for oily skin but contains a high SPF and I could consider stopping the Biore one. (The Bare Minerals one is a proper powder sunscreen, not make-up with SPF).
   

Advice desperately needed!

[mowglik]

I have very oily skin too and my recommendations are:

1. Ysl inkfusion - semi matte but very light and long lasting
   
2. No idea sorry I hate undereye concealers as I don't like the feel of anything heavy there
   
3. Have you tried Biore UV milk rather than watery essence? I use this instead of the watery essence and it suits my skin so much more and makeup seems to grip nicely. Its matte and is longer wearing than watery essence- It's my favourite thing to use as a primer atm

[Nicketynac]

Thanks mowgli
I will look for the Biore just now and nip into Boots tomorrow to try the YSL.

[notagiraffe]

I have very dry skin so can't advise on much, except that I've found using a pale matt eye shadow under the eyes, in the same colour range as the eye shadow you use on your lids, is far more effective than touche eclat or any under eye concealers. It softens the tone of the skin and takes away purple shadows. If you look at models close up in magazines, they often seem to have a fair amount of eyeshadow smudged under their eyes as well as on the lids and brows.

[Nicketynac]

giraffe I would never have tried that! Do you use it on top of concealer or alone?

[notagiraffe]

I use it on top of a concealer. It just stops the concealer from looking so shiny. Not explaining it very well, but if you use a neutral tone, close to your skin colour, then it looks well put together. Worth a try.

[fiorentina]

Sounds obvious but I do find I look more alive when I'm drinking more water and eating less sugar.

Obviously make up helps too!

[user1483971196]

Hi, when I started noticing my skin looked like it had aged, what helped me was going right back to basics. I stopped moisturing, and only used baby wipes to take off my make up. I also found stick or cream foundations really helped. All of this seemed very counter intuitive to me but it's what worked and my skin now looks 100 times better.

The are are now studies showing how bad regular moisturising is for the skin, so although anecdotal, what I say does seem to be backed up by science.

Every so often I will massage my face with vitamin e oil, and exfoliate (not on the same day) but other than that the above is all I do.

[Nicketynac]

The annoying thing is that I had acne until my early thirties and have always had really oily skin - my skin itself is much better than it has ever been (except for the melasma which started in my first pregnancy) and yet I look shit.
I will try to drink more water but can't make any promises about eating less sugar!
user148 do you apply foundation straight into your bare skin?

[user1483971196]

Yes. Occasionally I will use neutrogena oil free moisturizer before. I find primers made me skin look much worse.

Worth a try. What have you got to lose!

[Nicketynac]

Hmm, maybe I should give up on primers. I have been feeling that the perfect one is just around the corner but I might just be wasting money.

[Cakescakescakes]

The Smashbox light primer is great for oily skin. My make up just disappears without it. It's oil free and much lighter than most primers.

[Nicketynac]

cakes aaaargh! I suppose one last primer won't break the bank!

[oldhag1970]

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser (and primer if you want) are just the best. Honestly. Great stuff, and so quick and easy to slap on!

[Nicketynac]

oldhag I tried a Laura Mercier primer about ten years ago and didn't like it but my skin is very different now. Have ordered Smashbox which I will get tomorrow so will hold off on LM for now.
What about an under-eye primer? I saw one from Smashbos pox but didn't buy it. Only had a few reviews so wasn't sure if it would be of any use.

[Cakescakescakes]

I use the Collection liquid concealer in a tube under my eye. It's really highly rated online etc and is about £4!

[Nicketynac]

cakes I saw that recommended by Sali Hughes in the Guardian. Not sure why I haven't tried it.

[humanfemale]

My skin type is super dry but I've heard really good things about jojoba oil for balancing oily skin. It's very reasonable too. Might be worth looking into?

[humanfemale]

I love that Collection concealer. The lightest one is the perfect shade for my under eye! I bought one from By Terry for £££ and it wasn't as good as the £4 collection one

[Nicketynac]

human I use a Clarins oil at night which might be the same idea. It's lovely to use and makes a big difference.
I was in Boots today picking up the Smashbox primer... And forgot to buy that concealer!