Primer, concealer and foundation for older skin

[Littlechocola]

I’ve just turned 40 and it’s like someone has flicked a switch on my skin. I look old, tired and dehydrated.
I’ve started using the ordinary products and drinking more water but my make up seems to show every pore, wrinkle and blemish. It won’t be long before I start resembling dame Barbara Cartland with a cats bottom for a mouth.
Currently using benefit porefessionals primer, dermacol concealer and no 7 foundation. I don’t think they are doing anything for me.
I just want even smooth skin!

I turn 40 myself this year and having the same problem so gonna bump it and hope the skin fairy comes along soon

Try the new Nars longwear foundation. It covers everything and is lovely and glowy and stays on all day.

If you want even, smooth skin, then concentrate on your skincare not your makeup. I’m nearly 40 too and recently my skin changed from oily to dry and very dehydrated due to a new medication. My foundation started looking awful no matter what I did - cakey, very obvious, I just couldn’t get it to sit on my skin nicely.

I was also using a decent skincare regime which included some products from The Ordinary and it still wasn’t happening.

A couple of weeks ago I happened upon the Clinique counter and wanted to try a foundation. The salesperson cleansed and toned my face and then out the foundation on - it went on so, so well. He put it on the other side without a proper cleanse/exfoliating tone and it looked dreadful!

I ended up buying the skincare he used and not the foundation, and my other foundations now work properly. Moisturiser wise I used the heaviest duty ones I can find - Clinique moisture surge is lovely, and also makes a lovely primer, I also like the First Aid moisturising cream and I love the embryolisse cream which is so soothing and hydrating.

Highly recommend going to a Clinique counter and try some stuff, they never pressure you to buy and happily give out samples. They are also one of the few places that will take things back if you don’t like it.

@Isleepinahedgefund I think I have a tester pot of the moisture surge. I’ll try to visit a counter when I have time. I’ve always shied away from the beauty counters

@thethoughtfox thank you, I’ll have a look!

@Bluesue26 a skin fairy would be amazing wouldn’t it! I think I just need a new face!

I’ve found that as i get on, I need to finish blending my foundation and concealer with a brush. It really improves my skin’s appearance.

I use vitalumierre foundation, and the Chanel counter gives really generous testers, enough for 2 or 3 weeks.

A good beauty counter advisor is your friend, a bad one can leave you feeling even worse!

I went to a Dior counter recently, the lady looked a little daunting but was great, talked me through the different finishes and insisted on giving me a tester. No hard sell. At Clinique I got a miserable one who did a bad colour match ("What colour would you like to be?" "Erm, my own") and when I asked for a sample gave me a tiny bit that only lasted one go. Try a few, and don't be afraid to walk away if you feel they're not helpful.

What do you actually say though when you approach them? I think they would just laugh at me!

I'm 56 with pretty good skin (so far). I use:

Primer: Used to use SmashBox primer but found out that Lanacane Chafing Gel works exactly the same for a fraction of the price and haven't looked back. Brilliant stuff.

Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear (you can get free tester pots at any EL counter). Also comes in a light version for lighter coverage, although I just add a bit of moisturiser or sun cream if I want that.

Concealer: I used Touche Eclat when I need to, although if budget conscious, I've heard lots of people seem to like the Aldi concealer.

I love Cerave AM and PM moisturiers and use Retin A a few times a week, with Alpha H Liquid Gold to exfoliate at least once a week.

I also always, always use a Factor 50 on my face. My favourite is Biore Watery Essence as it's incredibly light and you really don't know it's there (no greasy or white residue).

I think Porefessional is actually the best primer.

Like cutesy I use EL doublewear. It's just the best thing for me - amazing coverage and you only need to use a tiny amount. I don't really use concealer any more, especially since I suddenly developed an allergy to Touche Eclat which is apparently very common. I do wear El powder if I am going out.

Following this please, as this is exactly me, ive spent so much on skincare products and different foundations and primers and my face still looks rubbish!

I dont use foundation any more really. I use corrector by bobby brown on my eyes and a dab of concealer around my nose.

Foundation makes me look older now.

I use Clinique superbalance . It's dewy and doesn't settle into creases.

I've tried so many products over the years. This is my go to.

I also discovered the oil cleansing method and I find I rarely need extra moisturiser now.

Laura Mercier - primer and tinted moisturiser and a tiny bit of foundation blended with a brush (Dior Star) under my eyes if I need it, lightest touch of powder to set. I gave up on concealer and look far better without heavy base

I've found the same recently (I'm 45). I get a bit bewildered by make-up choices, so tend to stick to Bare Minerals! I've switched from their powder foundation/concealer to their tinted moisturiser and liquid concealer, and started using a primer underneath. It's made a big difference.

I'm loving the No. 7 Lift & Luminate foundation, just started using it a couple of weeks ago and it goes on with lovely amount of coverage and doesn't settle into lines etc. On nights out, I'm using it with the Airbrush Away primer and it looks great.

I use Decleor skin care (Hydra Floral Rich) and Benefit hello oxygen wow liquid foundation with Boi-ing illuminating concealer. My skin very rarely looks dry now and my make up is nice and glowing.

Thank you. I shall have a look at all of the products suggested.

Purpleorchidwhite - Is Clinique Superbalanced foundation good for dry skin? I often fancy it but I have dry skin and I don't want to waste money, I normally use No7 which is cheaper.

I know nothing about makeup but I do know that a hydrating toner has made a massive difference to me. It plumps the skin, smoothes and evens skin tone. If you have any rough patches, they will probably disappear.

I use Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner but there are plenty of others. Just make sure there's no alcohol or witch hazel. Korean/Asian ones really are the best. Gothamista on YouTube is great too.