Oh god serious face intervention required

[GuinefortGrey]

I'm 43, fair skin (or so I thought) don't tan easily (or at all, just burn really) but do spend quite a lot of time outdoors. I don't drink nearly enough water or moisturise enough so accept that my skin is dehydrated and dry

I don't really like looking "made up" as feel very self conscious with obvious make up on. Usually wear a BB type foundation and some translucent powder and think that looks ok. BUT I went to the hairdressers last the week and was just appalled by the look of myself in the mirror, I might as well have been wearing no makeup at all for the good the little bit I had on was doing!

My problem is that any slightly heavier foundation than a BB seems to just clag on my skin (even with a primer). Sits in the pores and wrinkles, goes patchy on the dry bits. Please can anyone recommend a miracle product for me. I don't buy makeup regularly as I just get bamboozled by choice and don't even really know what colours I should be using. I spend £50 on Superdrug on bits and bobs yesterday but it all looks awful

It never used to be this hard!!

Here is a hopefully non-identifying photo of what I'm talking about!

Have a look at the lilylolo website. Their mineral foundation is great and you can buy sample pots for £1.50.

Their highlight powder is great too and again you can buy sample pots.

You need the fabulous skincare thread. Hang on a minute...

Oh and a good scrub and moisturiser for the dry bits.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2840483-Ditch-The-Foundation-Embrace-Some-Fantastic-Skincare-Instead

No scrub! It's damaging to the skin...

hair dresser mirrors are weird I never look like'me' in them.

so proper mirror in good light. can't hurt to drink more water and use a nice moisturiser daily.

Just a few suggestions, have you tried Macs mineralize liquid foundation? It gives a light dewy finish and is very moisturising, but you will probably still need to powder over shiny bits.

I like Revlon's foundations on the cheaper end, but I tend to go for a full coverage so not sure what to recommend.

Other than that, Urban decay do a lovely light foundation, I bought one in the summer, I tried their tinted moisturizer thing at the counter but it wasn't enough for me so the lady recommended the foundation, sorry I can't name it I ended up giving it to my best friend because the colour was slightly too dark once my tan faded, but they do lighter shades, I just bought the wrong one. Its a lovely formulation though, all silky as it goes on.

With Revlon I use the stick photo ready BTW.

I have very dry and dehydrated skin too and never wear powder for this reason. It just sits on top of my skin after 20 mins, looking craggy.

Coconut oil is amazing, cheap and easy to get. Use it as a moisturiser.

Also have you tried a highlighter (there are lots and lots of reasonable ones)? Will help to add glow.

Finally just know that hairdresser mirrors can be HORRENDOUS! A really harsh overhead light, shining directly down on your face! It's like the exact opposite of candlelight, which we all know is very flattering.

You almost definitely look ten times better in real life - your skin looked good in that photo, but might be worth trying no powder?

Everybody gets that feeling in the hairdresser's chair, don't take it to heart.

The solution lies in skin care, not make up.

Thanks all for the fab advice! I have plenty of ideas to get me started . That meme did make me lol. That exactly sums up how I felt

Your skin is dry, you need to get that sorted first, exfoliate it and moisturise it. You don't need to do more. Just keep it clean and moisturised, day and night, You should always moisturise before applying foundation, wait a couple of mins to let it sink in, your foundation should be a lighter light reflecting one.

Sorry but you should not use coconut oil on your face. It has a comedogenic rating of 4 (out of 5), meaning it's quite likely to block pores.

Part of my Superdrug haul was the Nip+Fab Glycolic exfoliating pads (for night) and the hydrating pads for day. Just used the night ones. Are they meant to sting?? skin does feel very soft though (and not stinging too badly)