Foundation / make up advice pls?

[Basseting]

I am (just) 50. Have barely worn make up for years whilst stomping around countryside with small children attached. I have quite a pale face but weathered red cheeks. Natural mousy hair coloured blonde.

I'd like to smarten up. But I have almost no budget. (I used to wear Chanel, sob...)
I looked in the shops yesterday (rare for me) and was surprised how much even budget makeup costs. Even in Superdrug I could see that foundation, powder, lipgloss, mascara liquid and pencil eyeliners would come to at least £50 even without concealer, blush, shadow.

Can anyone recommend decent cheaper brands and help me avoid an expensive (to me) mistake pls? My chief issue is foundation - needs to be pale but cover the red cheeks and dark circles yet not dry out / sink in as they all seem to do?

Spend a little bit of money on a decent quality and appropriate foundation and concealer and then buy cheaper items to go along with that. Get your base right and the rest will look it’s best, no matter what it costs. Go to a department store and ask for foundation advice/testers from the staff on the make up counters.

Mamma - thanks! good advice.x
It either seems too thin/pebbledashy or too thick/pancakey?
I moisurise well but my skin seems to 'drink it' and it feels tight and horrible the way I dont remember when I was younger (better skin and better foundation though!).
I will try to pluck up courage to do that but v self conscious so dont know if I can (eek!)

Yeah I think you need to get some advice from the experts in the stores - don’t be self conscious!!! It’s what they are trained to do - they will enjoy helping you find what’s right! 😊

Thing is I am 50miles from a big store and disabled so its not so easy.

Can you buy samples of decent quality foundations online, does anyone know?

I wanted to get the M&S beauty advent when it was reduced but just missed it. That's what I need really, some samples of good quality stuff to try so I can see what to buy, foundation especially!

If I where you I'd get a dewy foundation then cover cheeks and under eyes with a creamy concealer. I'm think maybe a No7 foundation and something like Benefit Erase Paste, it's been renamed to Boi-ing brightening concealer. Then a quick puff of loose powder to give it staying power!

I think if you can't get to the shops then foundation will be very hard to buy, maybe No7 intelligent colour foundation? It's soft and dewy and changes to your colour. It only comes in 2 shades, and concealers normally come in 3 options.

Regarding the make up sinking in, you should consider a primer - a green primer would also help colour correct the redness in your cheeks. Make up revolution are a very good affordable brand, you can buy online or in Superdrug. Concealer for like £4, stick foundation for a fiver, new foundation drops for £7. Very inclusive shade range as well.

Oh this is all tres helpful thank you so much!x