How can I stop looking like death warmed up?

[Ayupmeduck]

I recently spent money on some decent make up products. Foundation that matches my skin tone etc but when I look in the mirror I look ghastly!

For context I have dark eyes and very pale skin with purple undertones. Foundation ends up looking mask like. I've tried a more sheer foundation but the coverage isn't enough. Once I've added blush/bronzer to warm things up it all ends up looking very unnatural. A bit like one of those old fashioned porcelain dolls!

Bizarrely in summer I tan very easily and can manage a nice healthy glow even though I wear sunscreen.
Is fake tan the way forward here? Any advice appreciated.

I always hear good things about tan luce facial drops. Maybe just a hint of colour to warm you up?

Also maybe a cream blush that's a bit more natural so you don't look doll like?

I recommend checking out Lisa Eldridge on YouTube. She is a professional make-up artist with years in the industry, she has been posting videos for a number of years and has a great concealer technique.

But to me it sounds like it's a blending problem, don't rush through the foundation stage. And you say you need full coverage, but if you actually think about your skin what 100% is 'bad' and needs the higher coverage? Most people can get away with a sheer finish, and use v high coverage concealer on the problem areas, takes time but is worth it.

You could definitely try tan drops. I use the Isle of Paradise ones in Light for my face and they do a lovely job.

Don't bother at the moment because my job is 100% mask so nobody sees my actual face!

But I loved them in 2019. And I'm very white.

With foundation that makes me look ghostly, I just use a massive fluffy brush and whisk bronzer all over. None of this targeted contour nonsense, just a quick all over. The secret is to only buy the lightest of bronzers.

How are we meant to use bronzers?

@BlueSussex bronzing is supposed to make you look sun kissed, so think where it would hit you naturally - temples, cheekbones, jaw, bridge of the nose. I was told think of drawing a big 3 on one side of the face. Bronzing and contouring are different and should not be confused. One makes you look like you have more warmth, the other chiselled.

Nip Fab facial drops before bed = a nice warm glow in the AM

Clarins bronzing gel for body...a tiny dab on the face is my go-to.
Tube lasts a year

Have a look at colour analysis.
If you get the right colour clothes and make up it can do wonders.
You can get it professionally done - house of colour
I had it - it was brilliant
Or look on u tube to get ideas
I wear beige or khaki I look awful but other colours brighten my whole face up
Same with make up
It only takes a blusher in the right colour to change my look completely

OP - I just had a thought. Perhaps part of the reason your makeup is looking wrong and mask-like could be because you have got a foundation of the right fairness, but wrong undertone. I am olive toned but very pale, and foundations with a pink undertone just look wrong on me, it could be a similar issue for you.

I would guess that your foundation is the wrong undertone for you and/or you are using too much.

Loving the sound of three tan drops.

I would suggest op that you dilute the foundation and massively reduce the amount. Use a sponge and just very lightly dab and blend where you need coverage. I found ditching a powder coverage helpful too. I use powder before anything else now.

I agree it's likely wrong undertone. You could try changing that, alternatively gradual body tan or pressed powder over the foundation with a more suitable undertone.

Thank you so much for all of your advice it's really helpful.
I'm definitely going to give the ranking drops a go.

Interesting that a few people have picked up on foundation. I'm using Estée Lauder double wear in 1N2 which is neutral/fair.
I'm aware it's quite heavy so I've been using it fairly sparingly and not putting powder on top. I used to use Mac face & body but it was too sheer and I might as well have not bothered.
If I have purplish undertones would I be a cool skin tone? I'd always presumed so as I'm so pale but I have dark hazel eyes and dark hair with warm tones so I don't know!

Oops auto correct fail! Tanning drops!

I use EL double wear in 2C2 Pale Almond, or 2C3 Fresco. Maybe you could try one of the Cooler tones?

The thing that easily makes the biggest difference to how I look is enough sleep and lots of water. Plus a basic but frequent exfoliate & moisturise routine. I honestly look a million times better after an early night and like death warmed up if I've had a few late ones and eaten shit for a weekend..

You can't polish a turd!!

What colours suit you, clothing-wise, and what other make up, lipstick, eye shadow?
It would be helpful to see a photo tbh.
If you're anything like me EL Double Wear will look awful on you as it's too heavy. The only one that suits me and I've been using it for a decade is Double Wear Light. Check out their range of shades perhaps?

I use 1C1 Cool Bone and top up with warmer shade pressed powder, this combination works perfectly for me and looks very natural.

If I use a foundation that exactly matches my skin tone, I look like I’ve been exhumed! Tanning drops are definitely worth trying though.

@PurplePansy05

What colours suit you, clothing-wise, and what other make up, lipstick, eye shadow? It would be helpful to see a photo tbh. If you're anything like me EL Double Wear will look awful on you as it's too heavy. The only one that suits me and I've been using it for a decade is Double Wear Light. Check out their range of shades perhaps?

I use 1C1 Cool Bone and top up with warmer shade pressed powder, this combination works perfectly for me and looks very natural.

I suit black, bright red, royal blue, coral pink . Pale blues, pinks or beiges look awful on me. I did wonder whether I should have gone for the EL light. Hmm. I'm thinking the foundation was an expensive mistake!

Tan luxe drops are the way toward, they are brilliant and will totally improve this ghostly ghastly look you’re describing!

Make sure you mix with moisturiser then apply to whole face including eye lids and under eyes as it will make a huge difference

This suggests to me you might be closer to neutral/vanilla than cool.

It used to be the case that Debenhams offered colour matching in store and would give you a sample, obviously not possible now for all sorts of reasons. Have you looked whether you could order EL DW Light samples online from anywhere?

Pic attached. I'm in full light though. It kinda looks worse in real life!

Bloody Hell OP! If you look like you are death warmed up I must look like I have been buried for decades

Your skin looks fantastic in that photo. Is that with the EL DW?

Have you tried using a damp beauty blender to really ‘work’ the foundation into the skin? And just use foundation around the t.zone rather than over the whole face? I find this looos more natural, with some bronzer in the 3 shape mentioned earlier. Then a dab of cream blush to bring your face alive

Yep, you are not a cool tone IMO, you should be looking at neutral tones and lighter, but buildable coverage I think. Randomly, I found some No7 foundations from Boots suit me very well too and they're cheaper replacement for EL DW Light. Might be worth trying them first as they're far cheaper, less than half price, if you can't colour match EL online or get a sample. I try googling swatches and watch YT videos in hope I find someone with a similar skin tone to mine, it is helpful!