Please help with my base problem! (Foundation issues)

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So after years and a lot of money trying Iv found Mac is the best foundation for me. I like the coverage and it lasts. I have combination skin and a lot of products clog my skin and make me breakout. I’m using avene face wash and moisterisor then let it sink in, foundation, concealer then quick going over of Mac powder. The trouble is I’m finding it sitting funny on my skin. Primers don’t help, even Mac ones. My face I fuzzy which again I don’t think help but I don’t want to shave it! I want to have the full coverage of make up, but without it sitting odd, so makes my skin look dry when it isn’t? Looks patchy etc. I don’t want to change foundation as it works, I think it’s the base that’s the problem? Can anyone suggest anything?

I find some formulations change colour with age (ie they change on your face), so they look great at first and not so great in a few hours. Sometimes I mix foundation with moisturiser to sheer out the colour and that can help a bit, but it will mean a lot of experimentation as every product will give a different result.

Why are you using powder? To matte the finish, reduce shine, set the foundation - ? It could be that the powder is settling and giving your skin a dry appearance when what you need is a different product, like a more matte-finish foundation and/or primer to set the foundation instead of powder.

Mac foundations tend to have a lot of silicone in them so don't sit well on water-based moisturiser, primer etc, but it looks like your moisturiser should be fine.

I'd go back to MAC and explain the problem if I were you. They will almost certainly use the opportunity to sell you more MAC products but maybe that would help.

Tbh I've had this problem myself with MAC foundation, the texture and colour change throughout the day. I find a silicone-based foundation very slippery and it slides around too much, and if you put anything on top (eg powder) it looks cakey.

Some people use shaving as part of their regimen but doing it to improve your foundation finish might not work and it may make your skin more sensitive.

Oh, if you're using powder to matte the finish, maybe try blotting instead, and/or a matte finishing spray.

I guess I use the powder to both set it and Matt my t-zone. When I went to Mac ages ago that’s what they showed me. When I went a little while ago about the base they just said primer was the answer and I bought some but it doesn’t make a difference? I’m thinking it’s more the moisterisor as iv switched recently although I can’t remember what I used before...

I also have classic combination skin & always used MAC studio fix in my early 40’s until I discovered the Bobbi Brown foundation stick! I also use the Vitamin Enriched Face base which is an absolute god send. Get a sample, you won’t be disappointed 😀

Ooooh never used bobbi brown.... who makes the vitamin base full?

Limb. It’s from Bobbi Brown- Vitamin Enriched Face base. It’s superb! 😀

I would skip the powder and invest in the Urban Decay setting spray (cheaper variations are available of course).

What brush are you using for the foundation? If you're buffing, it's likely you're moving the fine hairs into an upwards/sticky out position which, when the foundation dries/sets they stay 3D iyswim.

Just a standard foundation brush, not sure which make. Techniques?

Hmm makes sense re the hairs! Downward strokes then??

Does your skin need exfoliating? I find my foundation goes like that when I need to exfoliate..

I exfoliate once or twice a week, but agree that makes a difference.