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Original poster

Totally lost with foundations - please help!

70 replies

Blackbird1234 · 21/02/2020 13:45

I'll try to keep this brief - I've essentially bought 3 different foundations in as many weeks, all of them have been disappointing and I obviously can't send them back, so I'm here for some advice/help, please!

I'm 25, my skin is fairly good with a couple of breakouts a month, a little bit of redness and it's quite oily. I've always used liquid foundations but over the past few months they've literally been sliding off my face after a few hours, so I tried 3 different powder foundations:

  • Lily Lolo mineral foundation powder - I had high hopes but it doesn't offer enough coverage and looks a bit chalky on me, certainly didn't last all day.
  • Maybelline Gemey - Looked good for the first day and thought I'd found "the one" but now it's looking quite cakey on my face and not long-lasting.
  • NYX Matte But Not Flat - Thought this would be great because of the reviews, but it seems there's actual highlighter within the powder foundation and it's making me look ridiculous and as if I've literally plastered highlighter everywhere.

I'm looking for a foundation (liquid or powder) that has the following criteria:

  • Long-lasting
  • Very natural, I don't like it to look like I'm wearing anything
  • Medium coverage
  • Good for oily skin / mattifying
  • Doesn't make me look like a corpse (my skin has been looking extremely dull these past few weeks due to the foundations)
  • Around the £30 mark
  • Can be found on Feelunique etc as I'm not in the UK

If anyone can offer any help/advice, please do! I've been using brushes to apply all of the above, don't know if I'm doing anything wrong?

Also, just in case anyone asks - I have a good skincare routine and cleanse/moisturise twice a day every day.

Thank you in advance!

OP posts:
Thinkle · 21/02/2020 14:07

If you are near a Mac then I would recommend their face and body foundation. I read about it for years and apparently makeup artists love it but I was always put off by the name. You can ask for a sample, it’ll come in a tiny little pot but if they are being generous you’ll get a week’s worth so you have give it a good test.

Also recommend you fix it (any foundation) with a light dusting of loose powder and some setting spray.

Original poster
Blackbird1234 · 21/02/2020 14:11

Thinkle I, unfortunately, don't have a Mac anywhere near me at all - isn't their stuff quite expensive, as well?

OP posts:
Smelly50 · 21/02/2020 14:47

I use estee lauder double wear. If you go on findation and put your usual shade in it should tell you what shade to buy. I find you do have to use a primer with it . I think they do a double wear light which is maybe more light to medium coverage . Or clinique even better foundation .

JinglingHellsBells · 21/02/2020 16:40

Try a Bobbi Brown counter for a make over?

Original poster
Blackbird1234 · 21/02/2020 16:40

Smelly50 I did use Clinique as a teenager, do you know if they do any for oily skin?
I've heard such good things about Estee Lauder Double Wear as well, but as I'm going for a natural look, I'm a bit worried that it'll be too heavy?

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 21/02/2020 16:41

Bobbi Brown Long Wear might fit the bill and they allow you to return foundation for a refund if you buy online. Worth chatting to them online to get colour matched as far as you can.

Smelly50 · 21/02/2020 16:52

Clinique stay Matt oil free . Or try the light in double wear . Not as heavy as normal double wear . If you can to a clinique or estee lauder counter they will give you a 5 day sample .

thisenglishlife · 21/02/2020 18:41

I have a good skincare routine and cleanse/moisturise twice a day every day.
What are you using?

Girlintheframe · 21/02/2020 20:46

IT CC cream is brilliant. It's a medium buildable coverage. Very natural and easy to apply

MrsPatrickDempsey · 21/02/2020 20:54

Another vote for Double Wear.

I don't find it too heavy and it lasts forever.

WalkingOutOfFlabbiness · 21/02/2020 20:58

Double wear light - I love it. Really stays on

Original poster
Blackbird1234 · 21/02/2020 21:11

Wow, so many votes for double wear and a couple for Bobbi brown. I can probably test the Estée Lauder one locally and will look online for Bobbi Brown. I just picked up a Nivea BB cream that I’ll try tomorrow with some setting powder over the top, fingers crossed it makes me look half decent!

thisenglishlife I remove all makeup with a very gentle baby soap (I have very sensitive skin) and then cleanse with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, then I use The Ordinary hyraluronic (may have spelt that wrong) 2% acid, then I use a vitamin E serum, then I apply La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume 5. In the morning I just wash my face with the baby soap to remove any products from the night before, apply a spot serum and a light Mixa moisturiser. Exfoliating always breaks me out in spots so I use a very gentle natural one maybe once every 2-3 weeks. Does all that sound alright?

OP posts:
JustForTheTasteOfIt · 21/02/2020 21:31

Fenty Pro Filter. So good.

It's a soft matte finish (so zero oiliness but not too severe or chalky) and long wear - it really does last all day. You can build it up easily if you wanted stronger coverage for an evening look.

I absolutely love it and I'm SUPER pale, I'm the second from palest in the range. It's the only match for me other than MAC Studio Fix.

I only mention that because I have recommended it to quite a few people and everyone has found a shade that is a great match for them.

One of my best beauty finds in the last 5 years!

JustForTheTasteOfIt · 21/02/2020 21:32

Ooh and a beauty blender not a brush to apply, slightly damp. Makes it go even further!

Alsohuman · 21/02/2020 21:35

Bobbi Brown Skin Longwear works for me. Good coverage but natural.

Strongbeatsskinny · 21/02/2020 21:43

Another vote for Double wear the counter ladies are always happy to give you samples in a little bottle too.

NotStayingIn · 21/02/2020 22:26

I use the Nivea BB cream mixed in with La Roche Posay anthelios spf50 day cream. Generally that’s enough. If I do feel I need more coverage I use the bare minerals original foundation. (The powder one that you buff into the skin). So that might possibly work for you too.

icklekid · 22/02/2020 03:58

Do you use a primer? The boots no7 one is ace and makes a massive difference to my foundation looking and lasting better...

Original poster
Blackbird1234 · 22/02/2020 07:41

justforthetasteofit I’ve heard amazing things about Fenty but I think it’s slightly out of my price range! I’ll see if I can get a tester as I’m just so sick of buying big bottles of foundation only to not get on with them. I’ll take a look, thank you!

icklekid I do have a primer, it’s a Collection one for mattifying pores although I don’t use it all the time as it’s a faff!

OP posts:
JustForTheTasteOfIt · 22/02/2020 07:52

I’ve heard amazing things about Fenty but I think it’s slightly out of my price range! I’ll see if I can get a tester as I’m just so sick of buying big bottles of foundation only to not get on with them. I’ll take a look, thank you

You're welcome! It's usually £27/28 everywhere so if you like the tester it's defo within your £30 budget Smile

Original poster
Blackbird1234 · 22/02/2020 07:57

justforthetasteofit Oh wow ok, I thought it was like £40+, that’s good news! Do you need to repurchase it often or does the bottle last quite a while?

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/02/2020 08:01

Doublewear but get matched properly as the shades are all over the place.

Use a budding brush or a damp sponge and work fast as it sets quickly. You won't need powder as well ime.

JustForTheTasteOfIt · 22/02/2020 08:01

It lasts absolutely aaaaaages! Longer than any other I've had including MAC. So if you can find a shade that matches then it's such a good bet. For me it's the best matte one I've tried because it's soft matte so not cakey (if that makes sense) just no shine or oil. But yeah defo try and get a little tester to see if there's a shade, they have more than 40 so I think it's the most shades on the market.

Ulysses · 22/02/2020 08:11

I'm another Doublewear fan, though I switch between both the original and light versions with a Bobbi Brown radiance primer underneath.

I got my colour matched with their machine once and it was way off so best to get a few samples.

TheAirbender · 22/02/2020 08:13

My skin sounds similar and I swear by No7 Stay Perfect from Boots