Powder foundation troubleshooting

[TheJoxter]

I’ve never bothered with more than mascara and lipstick (and too much eyeliner as a teenager) but despite having perfect skin as a teenager it’s now very much not perfect. I’ve never done foundation but I’ve got a few nights out coming up for Christmas/new year and want to look great.

I’ve got combination skin and want a fairly light coverage, after some research I’m using lily lolo powder, bought a few samples to find my colour match. I’ve watched loads of how-to videos.

Moisturising first. Using a kabuki brush. Only picking up a small bit of powder at a time. One cheek looked beautiful, one looked too powdery and patchy, forehead also powdery and patchy and the gap between my eyebrows looked like it had grown scales. From a distance I look amazing but close up its awful! What am I doing wrong??

I use bare minerals but not without a primer over my moisturiser . Did you use primer

@Srictlybakeoff I didn’t, largely because I ordered from their website and they don’t seem to do one! Will pop to boots tomorrow and get one and see if that helps, any brand you’d recommend? I prefer natural ingredients but not massively fussy

I would wait a longer period of time after applying moisturiser and a primer for them to properly set, if your using a powder foundation & putting it on too soon then it will stick to certain areas x

Sounds like the powder foundation is drying out your skin. Try exfoliating first, even if it's just with warm water and a face cloth. Then apply the moisturiser (drum your fingertips over your face afterwards to help the moisturiser get absorbed. Then use your powder foundation a little at a time. Build it up in layers while you're still learning. Too much product will give that dry ashy look.

I’ll try all of those things, thank you!

I use bare minerals i have a cheapish primer put that on then use the sponge then buff and buff with a brush and i dont think i look powdery

I se the bare minerals primer. If I don’t apply it I can’t get the powder to go on evenly at all.

I always wear bare minerals straight after using moisturiser. I think the finish has a lot to do with the brush (I use the bare minerals beautiful finish brush) as well as the application. I watched a few videos to get it right. It never looks powdery, just lovely and glowy.

LL is great and very finely milled,it sounds like you need to exfoliate and when you moisturise leave it for a good 15 mins before applying. Also leave the bit between your eyebrows and until last, sort of finish off that bit with whatever is left on your brush. Apply 2 or 3 very fine layers rather than one big layer.

I was looking at bare minerals in t k maxx today but I’ve heard that it has an ingredient that can be irritating for sensitive skin. I exfoliated more thoroughly and it worked better today! I also bought a bellapierre set (£6 instead of £50 in t k maxx!) so will see if that suits me better

I used BM for years but LL is far superior ime. Also play around with brushes , it can make a big difference with what brush you use . I've heard good things about Bellapierre.