If I don't want to wear foundation....

[Smellyrose]

But do want something to even out my skin, what should I buy?

I'm 40 with decent skin, wear lipstick during the day and lipstick and eye make up when out in the evening, but find foundation too heavy.

What are my options and what brands would people recommend?

Erborian cc cream (lightest one if you are Caucasian)
I mix it with SPF or moisturiser and it leaves a slight tint and blurs pores and creepy bits all day.
If I use too much the colour match isn't great though.
You can buy a 15 ml tube if you just want to try it.

Garnier BB Cream + Blur.
I hate feeling anything on my skin, but this is so light. It just evens up my skin tone.

Stila One Step Correct is really nice.

I've been using Garnier BB Blur over the summer and really like it. Am also not keen on a heavy foundation look but this has a good finish and contains SPF 30

I've also used Body Shop Instaglow CC cream which evens out tone but wasn't quite enough coverage for me.

I'm a little older than you but have been using Laurier Mercier tinted moisturiser for the past few years - really light and just evens everything out a bit

I use the balm tinted moisturiser. It's got SPF. A nice colour and feels light on.

I want to be someone who uses primer, foundation, contouring, powder but I'm not so this is good compromise

Thanks all, I'll give them a try.

I'm with you *IC I've bought loads of foundation, primer etc but can't get on with it at all.

I really like Lily Lolo BB cream. It just evens out the skin tone, but doesn't look like obvious makeup, if that makes sense.
Goes on nicely after spf, and easy to put on. I just slap it on and rub!
They only do 3 shades at the moment though, so only good if you're at the place end of the skin spectrum. They do testers for £1 (enough for a couple of days).

I also like Laura Mercier tinted moisturisers. I have the plain one and the illuminating ones. I also use her mineral powder, a tiny sweep makes a huge difference.

I use Clinique City Block 40. It's good protection but also sort of gives a blurry topcoat to my pretty decent skin. So, blush lippie mascara...done!

I've started to use Origins Ginzing SPF 40 energy boosting tinted moisturiser on my less makeup days
It comes out grey but changes when it's on the skin

It gives a really lovely glow with a tiny bit of blurring/coverage

Another vote for Laura Mercier. Much younger than you and definitely nowhere near 40 (38) but it's great - makes everything nice and even with a gentle glow. It's fab.

The Charlotte Tilbry unisex stuff is meant to be really good. I've got my eye on that for when current stuff runs out.

I use RMS Beauty 'Un' Cover Up as I hate the look foundation or even tinted moisturiser gives.

I'm using Olay tinted moisturiser or CC cream.
I like it. And I know it's good for my (spot-prone) skin.

Mix your moisturizer with a tiny bit of foundation.

Or, use tinted sunscreen , that's what I do. Gives me a Dewey glow while protecting my skin! Foundation clogs my pores.

Benefit Pore Fessional.

Boots no 7 Intelligent Colour foundation is lighter than most BB creams and tinted moisturisers. It has a lovely texture and my skin doesn't feel clogged up.

Another vote for Origins VitaZing/GinZing. It makes you look so well!

It's not very fashionable at the moment, but compressed powder can be brilliant at giving you a more even skin tone (depending on your skin type and what you are trying to cover up). You might need a dab or two of concealer if you have particular blemishes that need a bit more

At my age (58) compressed powder is very ageing. Even mineral foundation is unflattering.

Kalme Chameleon Concealer from the SkinShop. Despite the name it's perfect as a super light tinted moisturiser, SPF 20. Perfect for sensitive skin.

I've tried Laura Mercier and it was way too heavy and orange for me, so try and et a tester as it's not cheap.

Oh and just a warning Kalme comes out green (good for redness) and colour adjusts. I'm pasty and blotchy and hardly wear makeup. Annoyingly everyone comments on how good my skin looks when I wear it

I use Kalme Chameleon Concealer too, I mix it with the Stila to give the Stila more coverage.

The Pixi skin tint is very nice, light, and offers just the tiniest bit of coverage.