Foundation - why does it do this?!

[forfucksakejanet]

So I've been successfully using foundation for about 20 years (I'm 35!) and currently 36 weeks pregnant.

I've noticed recently my foundation is 'sitting' on my skin and doesn't seem to blend in properly. I've got tiny little holes in my skin from open pores etc which are now scars

I've tried moisturiser before in case it's because my skin is drying out, and also primer in case my skin is too oily

None of these work

I'm looking for advice or recommendations for a foundation under £20 that will a) cover up my awful dark circles, red patches and acne scars and b) not look like it's caked on

Is this too much to ask?!?! Thanks for any help

what are you using at the moment?

I tend to mix, I've got a W7 light coverage one and an Infallible heavier coverage. They used to mix together really well together but just the last few weeks it's gone all weird

How old are they?

Maybe try using a beauty blender or stippling brush to push the product in. Also, give your skin a break for a few days. I don't wear foundation/make up on weekends unless really needed and then break does my skin some good.

Both bought in the last 3 months so not due to 'going off'

I've got a blending brush but might try a different set

I'm on maternity leave now so only tend to put concealer under my eyes and zits if I'm off out

Might go for a trip to boots and try a few out

What are you wearing underneath your foundation? how long are waiting between putting serum/moisturiser, etc. on and using foundation? Have Are you using two types of foundation mixed together?

I'm looking for advice or recommendations for a foundation under £20 that will a) cover up my awful dark circles, red patches and acne scars and b) not look like it's caked on

Your best bet is a lighter foundation and targeting your problem areas with a high coverage concealer - it's unfortunately hard to get high coverage all over without it looking like you're wearing foundation

Have a look on YouTube for Lisa Eldridge foundation's videos - she did a series of them and from memory there is a bit in there about texture and coverage. She also has a great acne video where she talks about leaving bare skin vs. concealing

Your skin does change during pregnancy, in my experience (4 kids). My skin became more oily (though not spotty) and that meant my usual foundation went sort of flaky. I changed my cleanser and soap to suit my changed skin and it sorted it.

I'm in a similar skin situation, only DD is 6 weeks old.
I'm doing:
Serum
Leave 5 mins
Non-pore-blocking moisturiser with SPF
Leave 5 mins
Primer
5 mins
Foundation
5 mins
Powder & rest of makeup

If I'm not going out, I just do the serum & moisturiser. My skin definitely benefits from having as many days 'off' as possible but I look knackered without makeup, so that's only for if we're stopping in

I had tried loads of different tinted moisturiser, foundation & beauty bases. It's the primer that has helped

A tip I heard was make sure, if use primer and foundation, that both have silicone or both don't. They need to be compatible.

The boots number 7 stuff is good. Intelligent colour foundation

Totally agree with above comment about going through lisa eldridge's videos on foundations, and britishbeautyblogger. They make some amazing videos and you know their advice can be trusted.

www.lisaeldridge.com/
britishbeautyblogger.com/

Also, I use a price comparison site to make sure I get the best price, they compare all leading retailers such as lookfantastic, feelunique, john lewis etc

bespokeyou.uk/

Going to checkout Britishbeautyblogger now!

Do you regularly exfoliate? I'm surprised no one has said that so far. If you have a layer of dead skin cells that would explain why your foundation seems to be sitting on top rather than blending in. You can either use something like Clinique clarifying lotion for chemical exfoliation (comes in different strengths depending on skin type) or a scrub.

Thanks everyone for your input, will have a look at all the sites and vids etc.

Yes I exfoliate regularly, at least 3-4 times a week (any more than that I get sore and dry)

Tried this morning post shower .....

Moisturiser... dry hair
Primer ... straighten hair
Foundation on

Think leaving the gap has helped as it's sitting better. Also tried using less product and building up

Hopefully it's mostly hormonal and will return to normal after birth!

OP, I think if exfoliating is making you sore and dry you should try something else - are you using manual exfoliation/scrubs? They made me skin oily, dehydrated and broke capillaries. Try a chemical exfoliant something like Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant or anything with glycolic/lactic acids. Look up AHAs and BHAs