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.

@BlueSussex

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?

Thank you! Yes it's with the EL DW mixed with a bit of the Mac to water it down a bit. I do feel it looks better in the photo though for some reason. I'm not sure if it that I just want to look 25 still which isn't obtainable now I'm older It's the glowy 'no foundation look' I want.

I highly recommend a nice light gold fake tan (St Tropez for face and looks great and natural) and then a serum foundation with a yellow base. If our skin tone is a little unflattering, then we don't always want to match it and better to correct it IYSWIM.

A really good yellow based serum foundation is the Bourjois Healthy Mix (they have one actually called a serum but the original one is also great). I watched a Lisa eldridge video on YouTube and she said that she can never see the texture of that foundation even under a magnified mirror and I agree, it's a really good texture. Coverage is not heavy but they do a matching concealer which really brightens my skin.

I do find this makes a big difference to my skin. And as with all foundation recommendations they only work as intended if you have a good skincare routine and are exfoliating however often you need :)

@40swrinklesandspots

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

I just use my fingers 😳 I'm going to invest in a sponge though along with the tanning drops and cream blush

You're not pale either, I'm far paler than you! You're towards the warmer end of the neutral spectrum if anything, so most likely not the lightest shades.

If you're going for dewy look then Double Wear Light won't give you that either, I thought you were looking for matte finish. I'm not an expert with dewy I'm afraid as I have combination skin, but I know Bare Minerals have light foundations with dewy finish.

P.s. I only use this in summer as the foundation is too dark for me without fake tan due to the yellow base.

OP just read your update, a serum foundation or similar is definitely what you want for that finish, it can make a big difference.

Other products I've had success with:

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid
Maybelline Fit Me (not the matte one, possibly discontinued?)
Bobbi Brown Luminous Skin Foundation, a little too greasy though
And if they still make it, the Benefit creme to powder foundation that looks like a little Vinyl record compact

Suggestions I've not tried that are supposed to have a similar finish:
Luminous Silk foundation (heard it's overrated)
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
MAC face and body (technically I have tried this but I was a teenager and got it in an awful shade for my milk white skin so couldn't review past that!)

@PearlescentIridescent that list is so helpful, thank you! I will look into some of those.

I use a bronzer in the winter very lightly applied if I want a bit if colour without going overboard.

www.fishpond.co.uk/Beauty/Best-Organic-100-Natural-Vegan-Matte-Bronzer-Makeup-Made-USA-Pressed-Bronzer-Powder-by-BaeBlu-Touch-of-Sun/9999916190862

I use this in the summer - it smells lovely as an added bonus!

www.lookfantastic.com/utan-jamie-genevieve-x-skin-idol/12193802.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000026979856&adtype=pla&product_id=12193802&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Or_BRC_ARIsAPzuer93GHYqCe18W8_e2DSkLFcv_gFrI-C7V6Zk9REUpl1cYMC_MC0uhb4aAkbbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

"Undertones go beyond the general colour of your skin. They're separated into three categories; warm, cool and neutral. Warm undertones tend to lean towards peachy, yellow or golden tones; cool undertones mean your skin has hints of pink, red or blue; while neutral is a mixture of these colour"

If a rosy pink blusher makes you look good - you are probably cool and need a foundation with a pink undertone and vice versa

Interesting that a few people have picked up on foundation. I'm using Estée Lauder double wear in 1N2 which is neutral/fair.

I found that waaaaaay too heavy and I think I'm older than you.

It's hard to tell on a picture on the 'net, but that foundation looks too light/cool, and seems chalky and dry, imho. Your skin looks lovely, I think you need something more sheer. And something a bit more warmer/yellowy/peachy. With the brown eyes, and hair, I'd say you are probably a 'warm autumn' colouring?

A light spray of this should do the the trick.

It’s the foundation! I find Double wear looks great in photos but terrible in real life. It’s also in no way dewy - I found it very matt and drying.

I second the suggestion to try no7 foundations. I use the the stay perfect one and use a damp beauty blender to apply it and then just a tiny bit of loose powder over the top. Also, make sure you moisturise beforehand. I have dry skin and also pat a tiny bit of rosehip oil into my skin before applying foundation.

On what planet is that "pale"?

Or "purple undertones"?

Maybe try EL Futurist foundation. Most of same shades available - it’s good coverage but not as flat and dry as ELDW.
I use tan luxe glow serum each morning. It’s amazing stuff, subtely takes away that death warmed up look. And makes my skin feel great.

I’d say your foundation is giving a mask like look, I would try something lighter like Bare Minerals complexion rescue. I don’t think you do need heavy coverage, unless it’s hiding an awful lot! You could also try a bronzer or highlighter to give more dimension

You sound like me OP. Before I had my colours done I wore a lot of black and bright purple and blues, silver jewellery, Porcelain foundation and purple toned lipstick.
I am an autumn and had to start from scratch. Warm shades of makeup, corals and peach. Brown or green eyeliner with gold or copper eyeshadow. I only use bronzer as blusher.
Tan and brown shoes and bags, Beige coats and lots of autumnal colours in my clothes, green, red, orange, mustard, brown. I don't own any black clothes anymore.

@LongIslandIcedT would you mind sharing more about getting your colours done? I have heard this mentioned on a few threads and have been wondering how you figure it out :)

@PearlescentIridescent I used House of Colour 8 years ago, not cheap, about £150 but it has been absolutely worth every penny in buying clothes that suit and they mix and match perfectly.