Your favourite foundation

[Whostolemyhorn]

At the tender age of 37 if just started to get into makeup and I'm beginning to really enjoy the journey of trying new products, but I've come to a bit of a holt with foundation as I don't really know where to begin. I've been looking at all the reviews online but they're all so mixed and it's ended up just confusing me. From what I can gather the dior forever foundations are wonderful but I just can't justify spending £37 on foundation at the moment, so I'm hoping that the mn gurus can point me in the right direction to a good, long lasting, non drying foundation that is under £30. I do tend to have a dry t zone but other than that my skin is pretty forgiving in that Im not prone to acne and don't really have any blemishes, just ageing skin that needs a good base. I did have a quick search but the threads that came up were quite a few years old, so any experience will be really helpful

I prefer a tinted moisturiser/BB cream to foundation as it gives a much more dewy, natural effect. I’m loving Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue at the moment. It’s lovely stuff. £25 on Amazon so not the cheapest, but works beautifully and also has spf30.

I have been using BB creams and I find them great in the summer but I'm hoping to find something that gives a bit more coverage, more of a flawless affect if that makes sense

I like No 7 Hydraluminous for work and Mac Studio Sculpt for when I want a bit more coverage. Your main problem at the moment will be shade, I'm not sure what's open where you are. I wouldn't buy foundation online without trying a sample first.

Shade is definitely an issue, I think you're right that I'm going to have to wait for the makeup counters to open

Or have a look on ebay for samples

No 7 Hydraluminous is nice. I've only just discovered it. It has a nice finish to it. Luckily I already new my shade from a few years ago when I tried a different No7 and so took a chance.

The Ordinary Serum foundation. It's fabulous and incredibly inexpensive. Their concealer is great, too.

I wore the same foundation for 15 years (cringe!) and it was discontinued a few months ago, so I've spent a large portion of lockdown trying out new ones.

I discovered this website: findation.com which colour matches you with other brands once you enter the shade you use in your existing foundations. It's been surprisingly reliable!!

I prefer a more full coverage and, even though they're more expensive, my current favourites are Estée Lauder Doublewear and KVD Beauty Lock-It foundation.

I'm open to suggestions to try anything new! Quite disappointed by Bobbi Brown, Mac Studio Fix and Giorgio Armani Luminous. YSL All Hours wasn't bad. I've heard good things about Fenty??

I like Bobbi Brown foundation stick for day to day because I can wear it quite sheer. But for a more made up look I like Nars Sheer Glow. It gives more coverage without being too Matt looking.

I prefer a lighter coverage for day-to-day, and I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser which is lovely.

For more full coverage days, Estee Lauder Double Wear wins hands down! My makeup stays flawless all day when I have this on.

A really good concealer is also a must for me! I switch between MAC Prolongwear and Nars Creamy Radiant concealer

at wilkos! It costs less than four quid! I really love it, it can be a tiny bit drying, but honestly I really rate the texture and the coverage.

NYX Born To Glow, I discovered it last summer and really like it. I'm 52 and find it gives good coverage without sitting in my wrinkles but its not too shiny either.

Feck my link went wonky.

essence

It's a bit of a mine field isn't it! I definitely think I'm just going to have to try one aren't I. I was thinking about the Estée Lauder double wear but reading some of the reviews I think it's going to be too heavy for me so I think I'm going to try the double wear light when I can get to see the shades in real life

Sisley, expensive but so worth it

@Aquamarine1029
Any tips on choosing a shade from the ordinary please? I'm just trying to look on their site but it's frozen.
I'm fairly pale, but not super pale, and have a yellowy tone rather than pink.

I love NARS radiant longwear or IT Cosmetics CC cream.
Regarding TO foundations of you know your MAC shade Wayne Goss did a comparison chart. Alternatively Findation is good for shade matching.
I need a warm undertone and found that 1.1N was yellow enough (I am fairly pale though hence the 1.1).

I use a Primark foundation, bought not expecting much but it's one of the best I've used, brilliant colour match to my skin, great texture and coverage I really am impressed with it. It's the Perfect Finish foundation. Try it, it's only £2.50 !

IT cosmetics CC cream is amazing! Feels very light but full coverage, way more than any other BB or CC cream you'd find. Plus great SPF. It might be a little over your budget, but you only have to use a tiny amount. I think I only buy it maybe every 8 or 9 months or so!

Just checked boots and you can still buy the smaller versions, for like £14. That's how I found it! Was a great way of testing it without paying the full £32

Nyx can't stop won't stop for coverage and long wear with a radiance primer underneath. On bank holidays there is often 15% off on Dior, I love Dior foundation but YSL all hours is slightly better if you are spending more. YSL often have 20% off on Bank Holidays in John Lewis but they may not price match as much now Debenham have gone. Estee Lauder double wear light is a brilliant foundation if you want medium coverage and EL will exchange your foundation if you are not happy without fuss.

@Whostolemyhorn

Our skin tone sounds very similar. I buy the 1.1 and the 1.2 and combine as needed.

I really wanted to love EL double wear but I didn't get on with it at all - even with a good primer it jusk sank into my creases (and I don't even have that many!)

I found a travel sized cc cream by IT Cosmetics on the Boots website (12ml) and figured it was worth the gamble. I love the shade I chose and love the finish. More coverage than a bb cream and I'll probably only wear proper foundation for weddings, etc now. Would definitely recommend.

www.boots.com/it-cosmetics-mini-your-skin-but-better-cc-cream-with-spf-50-10265144

Oops completely missed @letsgo2021 's IT cosmetics post!

I use Sheersense after a friend recommended it, it's great!