Foundation- never looks right?!

[lifestooshortandsoami]

I am never ever happy with foundation!

Tried different ones but it never seems right. I've acne prone skin which can get oily easily, but if am not careful I also get dry patches. I want foundation to make my skin look like my skin but better... it either looks too matt/ heavy so it looks dull and sits in the lines, or it doesn't cover, looks shiny?

I had nars sheer glow recommended so was excited to try it... Have tried to put it on twice now and it's like it sits on top of my skin and clings to the dry bits?

I struggle with my skincare routine too... my acne flares up really easy (hormone related) but my skin is dehydrated too??

Any advice/ tips/ products I should use? Please help!

I would look at your skincare routine first. Depending on budget, highly recommend Drunk Elephant (Littles kit is a great buy). If you look on Instagram there are many ladies who have acne or scarring that say it’s really helped their skin. You’ll probably find once you’ve got a skincare routine you won’t wear much in the way of foundation. Good luck in finding what works for you 😀

Nivea tinted moisturiser is about £3 in supermarkets and gives exactly what you described. Like your skin but better. I know exactly what you mean! It's more like a light sheer foundation but you can see your actual skin through it if you know what I mean. It's really brilliant stuff. The light one suits most people. I am 45 and some foundations make my skin look worse and me look older! But this sort of just blurs you a bit and is hard to tell you are actually wearing it even up close. It's not drying or greasy. Try it. It's only £3!!!

I also had oxytetracycline on a long term low dose prescription for acne worked brilliantly. Speak to your gp and see if that might help you. Mine was all over my chin looked awful and very painfull.

For what it's worth I think Nars Sheer Glow is the most inaccurately named product. Nothing sheer or glowy about it! And it made me look like a Simpson.

With regards to skincare I love double cleansing, makes a real difference to my skin. First an oil cleanser followed by a cream one.
Glycolic acid pads (Nip Fab or the cheaper Superdrug ones) are also great.
A few evenings a week I like to massage oil into my skin. Gets everything glowy.
Also use retinol two or three times a week.

But yes, maybe best to talk with GP or a dermatologist (if you can afford one) about your acne. Sometimes prescription drugs are what's needed.

I was similar to you for a long time, the best one I've found is bourjois healthy mix serum, there's not much shade choice but if you find one that matches it's quite alright coverage but doesn't dry me out like other things I've used, only £10 and I always buy it when they've got 3 for 2 offers on!

Have you tried a primer underneath? And using setting spray/powder?

Foundation doesn't work for me either. I found l'oreal's cc cream to be just right.

I’ve never really got foundation as when you’re young it covers the skins natural beauty and when you’re old it sits in all the fine lines. Most make up artists will just use foundation on the areas that need it. You could try mixing with moisturiser. But agree the main thing is to sort skin so major cover up isn’t needed. Get a simple cleansing and moisturising routine, add in Azelaic acid, salycilic acid or retinol to help with acne

I have awful pigmentation due to a skin condition and found the best for coverage but still looking natural is Boots No 7 BB Cream, not expensive so worth a try.

I hate foundation. I don’t like the look of it or the feel of it. I now use a pressed powder called Balence and Brighten by Laura Geller. I love it, can’t feel it, and I still look like me, just nicer. I bought it from qvc, which is great, cos you can return it if it doesn’t suit you, within 30 days.

I swear by Mac Face and Body. It's very sheer but you can build it up for better coverage. Doesn't sink into lines like so many foundations!

Marcelle golden glow illuminator bb cream is amazing.

Thank you for all your advice!

I agree I think I need to work on my skincare routine. It's difficult finding something that doesn't dry my skin out/ irritate it or make my acne worse. Some good tips tho.

@calloway is there a cleansing oil you would recommend?

@fullfatlatte drunk elephant is a little out of my budget at present unfortunately or I'd love to try it.

@willowG I struggle with primer... have tried bodyshop instablur, benefit and bare minerals but found they didn't help? I've resisted using setting powder spray as he foundation never looks to have 'sat right' if that makes sense so not wanted to put anything on top if it doesn't look right? I think I need a major overhaul on my skincare routine and make up to be honest!

DHC cleansing oil is great. And I have taken to using a hydrating toner which I like a lot under serum. My "foundation" suggestion is hard to get as there are few UK stockists, but it's Sensai Bronzing gel. (Don't be put off by the colour as it comes from the tube; it's very light and sheer. Have relied on this since I was 40, now 60, and it looks great on my mum, at 80, too. I am told Origins VitaZing is similar.

For primer, I got a sample of the Cover fx blemish treatment primer recently and I found that good (I have very oily skin). Planning to buy the full size on payday as it’s £30 in space nk, but a little did go a long way

Roche posey efflablur is really good (but a bit pricey).
I agree on nars foundation!

Second nip fab recommendation, love the glycolic wash, serum and moisturiser (holy grail of non tinted, oil free moisturiser with spf!!)