Why doesn't foundation work on my face?

[illnever]

I've tried the following brands and have the same problem:

Maybelline
L'Oréal
Revlon
Max factor
NYX
Rimmel
Nars
MAC
Lancôme
Illamasqua

And each time, I end up with cracks in my face and my mascara transfers.

I've tried with a powder, without a powder. I always moisturise and prime but have tried it without but that's even worse. What can I do? I have dry skin but foundation ages me 10 years and makes me look awful! I'm ghostly pale too so I always have to use lightning drops but even without it's still the same! Any advice? I've tried different brushes and sponges too but nothing works.

It might be the formula doesn't suit your skin.
My skin really doesn't like matte foundations or heavy coverage ones (and it's not a look I like thankfully) but a lighter weight CC/BB cream with a little pressed power in specific places works well.

I agree with the PP who mentioned prepping your skin vs searching for the best foundation. It goes a long way.

Makeup forever ultra HD foundation stick is excellent btw, good for dry skin and highly pigmented. You just need to buff in the tiniest bit.
Ask for a demo before you part with your money though.

I thought sheer glow was meant to be dewy though?

I thought this too, but it's literally the ONLY foundation that clings to patches on my skin that aren't apparent with other foundations. Shame, because their colour range is really good.

I hope you can find your Holy Grail foundation. It's a proper PITA.

The #110 shade of Fenty Pro Filt'r Matte Longwear is a lifesaver for me - I am SUPER pale and it doesn't try to make me darker or orange like many foundations, just gives a really beautiful porcelain finish.

The only other shade that's come close to matching me correctly and settled nicely rather than chalking on my skin is MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW10, also been good for me but I know MAC products can sometimes irritate sensitive skin.

Anyway the Fenty one I've been SO impressed with. Very long wearing and long lasting, takes me ages to go through a bottle. Worth a go definitely - good luck!

Pic is the shade I use. Been asked by lots of very pale people what foundation I use when I've been out and about!

I have pale, dry skin and I use No7 Essentially Natural Foundation - Coverage light / medium. Covers red patches really well but hardly noticeable as a foundation.

I've spent hundreds of pounds on foundation, and the skincare that's supposed to make it work. It ages me by about ten years and makes my dry skin look like sandpaper.

So on occasions I want to look polished, I mix foundation with moisturiser and use that. Not brilliant and it's never, ever moisturising despite manufacturers claims, but it allows me to pretend I'm normal a few times a year :)

@illnever I used the Bare Minerals range and find them really good, you add as much or as little as you need.

I went to a local beauty place recently and they worked with me to get the correct tones etc , but I think you can do it in some large department stores too.

@illnever

I gave up on liquid foundation about 5 years ago cos nothing would stay put and I have dry skin as well, was a bloody nightmare

I now use either Bare minerals or Laura Geller baked balance and bright.

You can get little starter packs of Bare minerals so you can find your right shade (or mix them up) and Laura Geller has a super pale porcelain shade which has other colours all mixed in which weirdly work! You can sometimes get special offers on QVC!

Liquid foundation can just bugger off now for all I care.

How much are you using? If it's more than a few drops it may be too much. Try applying it with your fingers as you would a moisturiser.

I think you should try a powder foundation. I'll link the one I use, it has amazing coverage and doesn't feel cakey so hopefully won't crack on you!

www.boots.com/it-cosmetics-celebration-foundation-10251163

I also have very pale skin, the best foundation I have found is from Bobbi Brown. I also have dry skin (and a bit of roseacea), and find that when I wear foundation it can be patchy and almost make my skin look flaky.

I've really been working on hydrating it - the result being that my make-up looks much better (as well as my skin in general, it's also a lot less itchy!). I suggest you look at skincare as well - I'd really recommend a hyaluronic acid and a good moisturizer (I use CeraVe for under make-up). The Simply Pure hydraring serum from Superdrug is also really good and cheap! Also, wait at least 10 mins after moisturiser before foundation.

I have super dry skin that will crack any foundation too. It's taken me years and literally dozens of different foundations to find any vaguely acceptable. The only ones that have ever worked for me are Missha M Signature Real Complete BB Cream, Sleek CC cream and Max Factor Healthy Skin Foundation.

My fave is the Sleek one. It's amazing. Full coverage, hydrating but sadly discontinued. You can get it on Amazon though. The Max Factor has the most limited shade range I've ever come across and I can only wear the lightest shade in the summer.

Most of the time, I use a dab of NYX Gotcha Covered concealer on my red cheeks and chin. Bit of powder and go. It's waterproof and really hydrating.

For powder I only use Becca Hydra Mist now, and Laura Mercier under my eyes. Everything else ages me horribly.

I think you need to get your skin happy first. Only really healthy skin accepts foundations/CC/BB cream well after about 35. All the techniques and the best products pale to trivial once your skin care regime is working for you. Otherwise, skip foundation and opt for a light reflecting powder and use it stingily.

Try organic jojoba oil. It is the most compatible facial oil you can use, totally natural, no nasties!

I used to have very dry skin on my face and had similar problems too

Now I use 4 drops every morning after holding a hot flannel to my face for a few seconds and my skin glows. No breakouts ever, even during my period.

I also don't wash my face, no soap, no expensive cleansers just wet a flannel with quite hot water and hold it on my face a neck for a few seconds to open up pores then splash cold water to close them

Luminous Silk or Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser are the ultimate saviours for dry skin.

Also you really don’t need to use that much. Well moisturised & primed skin, give it 10-15 mins then a small amount centrally on your face & blend it towards the outside.

Bobbi Brown tinted moisturising balm, then a mineral powder foundation over the top if you need it, then Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. Works really well for me.

Best foundation I’ve used recently is Urban Decay All Nighter. It stays on well but it’s very high coverage.

I have dry skin and really rate no 7 lift and luminate.

I moisturize, wait at least 5 minutes, then prime with no 7 illuminating lotion, wait another 5 mins, then apply a tiny amount of the foundation with my fingers. It covers redness but it's like an invisible coverage.

When you say it cracks do you means it settles in the lines?

Exfoliate, moisturise, let it settle and using your fingers work the foundation in. Use a little and build it up. This way you use less foundation and it's less likely to settle and crack. Also the warmth of your fingers helps in blend Ito the skin. Build up the coverage as needed.

Also, as suggested by a PP, a facial oil under foundation can really help keep it soft and light.

You can use a little translucent powder to settle, but very little.

I really struggle with foundation. I can only use Clarins BB cream as others go weird on my skin.

I think you need to get your skin happy first. Only really healthy skin accepts foundations/CC/BB cream well after about 35. All the techniques and the best products pale to trivial once your skin care regime is working for you. Otherwise, skip foundation and opt for a light reflecting powder and use it stingily

Honestly, I think that's nonsense. If you can only wear foundation if you've got perfect skin, that's most of us screwed .

You can exfoliate and moisturise but, beyond that, you're stuck with your skin as it is. That doesn't need to stop you using a foundation - you just need the right one. And most women over 35 want a bit more coverage than just a light reflecting powder.

OP, I agree with PPs. Book in with Bobbi Brown or Space NK. Go at a quiet time, when the assistant won't be distracted by loads of other customers. Ask to watch how she applies the foundation. There will be one there out there for you

It cosmetics CC cream.

It’s bloody brilliant.

I had this problem no matter which foundation I used.. someone recommended I stop using micellar water and switch to a hot cloth cleanser.
Not sure if you use it but it was the best advice ever for me and was nothing to do with the foundation! ( I can use a few different ones now) . Even without a primer it sits alot better!