Foundation help please!

[givememarmite]

My skin is pretty bad at the moment, I'm 44 and have bad hormonal spots but also quite dehydrated skin in parts. I'm trying to sort that out with skincare but I really need a foundation with good coverage that makes my skin look better!

I'm not expecting flawless (but that would be a bonus!) but everything I have tried either doesn't last long, says Matt finish but I end up looking shiny after a couple of hours, sits in my pores or just doesn't look like I have anything on my face!
I don't want a caked on look but I want to look "finished" if that makes sense?
Any recommendations for me please?

What have you already tried? I’d say double wear or (spendy but) byterry foundations might fit the bill.

Good question @Claudia84!
I've tried double wear but found it quite drying, a Chanel one I've forgotten the name of, numerous low/mid budget L'Oréal, Clinique and the Primark ones that lots of people raved about on here a while ago.

Do you use a primer first? It makes the world of difference!

@Ahhhhhbisto no primer 🙈 if it will help tell me more please! Could you recommend one?

Primer really does make all the difference! I use no7 for every day wear and Nars for my night time look.

I have similar skin. Dry with hormonal spots. I wasnusing Clinique Even Better. I have just moved to No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense All in one. I like them both.

I also use a tiny touch of Laura Mercuer loose powder. Another trick I found was if I use a little bit of her eye brightening powder, my mascara never smudges. (You could also probably use the powder...)

Laura Mercier (autocorrect!)

[quote givememarmite]@Ahhhhhbisto no primer 🙈 if it will help tell me more please! Could you recommend one?[/quote]
I use the ordinary silicone primer, very affordable.

Just apply a small amount a few minutes after moisturiser and a few minutes before foundation. It really helps stop foundation from sinking into pores or looking cakey

Anyone else have any recommendations for me?

I started using the channel les bronze as a foundation after watching a blogger using it, its great it lasted all day on my combination skin.

Rarely use foundation but when I do I use The Ordinary primer + Bare Mineral powder foundation.

I use the ordinary primer everyday, it's super nice, super light and super cheap.

Best primer is definitely smash box photo finish! I had used it for years and nothing else has ever matched up. Not even the other primers by smash box even if they sound more fitting! You could try get a sample though? I would never wear foundation without primer, it makes it feels so sticky.

Double wear is good but I agree with you that it can be drying. I use a very moisturising foundation that I love but I wonder if the coverage may not be enough for you? It's the No7 Hydra Luminous moisturising foundation. They do have other types you could try if that coverage wasn't enough and what is great about No7 is that they can do an exact colour match using their fancy machine. It's also a great price!! ☺️

Thanks for all the suggestions!
I have ordered the smash box primer and their full coverage foundation. Really interested to see how much of a difference the primer makes.

I'm not in the UK so can't get No7 unfortunately.

I'll report back when I've tried them out

Love the ordinary primer. Also like Mac. I love Charlotte Tilbury foundation and illamasqua. You can get samples of illamasqua on their website.

Bobbi Brown works for me because it's one of the only brands that does the right shades - I'm pale and neutral. I use Ivory in Skin Foundation.

You might like their Long Wear and if you buy online they will refund all foundation returns if it's not right for you.

I did try their Long Wear and found it too matte for me (my skin's normal- dry) but it might work for you.

Emma Hardie primer and then Armani foundation. It's amazing stuff. Comes in different coverages and glides on incredibly well.

@lindyloo57

I started using the channel les bronze as a foundation after watching a blogger using it, its great it lasted all day on my combination skin.

Me too, its brilliant. Haven't bothered with foundation since.

Be careful with silicon primers as they can make acne much worse (tho not everyone so try it and see).

I have acne too (such a joy) and I reckon I look better with something very light on my skin and then a good concealer on the spots. Rather than something high coverage all over which can look a bit unnatural and ends up oily. At the moment I’m using La Roche Posay Effaclar tinted moisturiser and NARS creamy concealer. Thinking of trying the NARS tinted moisturiser or Erborian BB creme.

Following as I have the same issue. Dry, oily, some hormonal spots around the chin and neck area. Absolute nightmare to know what to use or how to treat it. Used so many products and so far have been okish. Including

The Inkey salicylic acid cleanser and blemish treatment
Pixie Vitamin C tonic
Retinol - Both La roche and The Inkey
IT Cosmetics
Urban Decay Optical Illusion Primer

Might give The Ordinary a go

If you've got acne, even if it's hormonal, see a dermatologist or use one of the online ones. Get tretinoin alongside benzoyl peroxide and/or an antibiotic and get your skin sorted out, don't faff about with high street products that will never sort it and you may be making it worse. I did the same thing for years and wish I had seen a doctor so much sooner.

@MiniTheMinx which exact Chanel product is it you use? Les beiges powder? Or a bronzer?

Some really good advice on this thread - especially about sorting out skincare as well as foundation. I wanted to ask - is your skin properly dry or is it more dehydrated?
Love the thought of a light glowy foundation or tinted moisturiser with a decent concealer for the dreaded adult acne.
I agree about a decent primer and another tip I like is to add just a single drop (honestly just need one) of facial oil to the more high coverage foundations (double wear, Smashbox full coverage, Catrice full coverage, the gorgeous Armani one cannot think of the actual name 😁🤔)
Anyway OP, really hoping that your new combination of primer and foundation works for you, there's no end of possibilities but it does get expensive doesn't it. I must have spent more on the wrong foundation over the years than anything else.
Oh another 2 oldie but goodies are It Cosmetics CC and Superbalanced by Clinique.

I have similar skin with the added bonus of rosacea.

I use Erborian BB cream, which is honestly the best product I think I've ever used. It's really moist on my skin but doesn't slide off.

I see you've already bought something but just keep it on your list!

wombforanotherone its this. It looks dark in the pot, but its not when applied. A friend recommended it, she is Brazilian so I doubted it would work for me because I'm paler, but it does. It doesn't look orange and it seems to adapt to your natural colour somehow. I can even use it in winter.

www.chanel.com/gb/makeup/p/185390/les-beiges-bronzing-cream-cream-gel-bronzer-for-a-healthy-sun-kissed-glow/?gclid=CjwKCAjwp_GJBhBmEiwALWBQk1UMl596lQScpsLDsZgbLhM7xnFYkPIrMRN7aGICzUXzj7r7vRRBZRoCvyQQAvD_BwE

Oh lots more tips and advice, thank you all!
@Wishingwell75 skin is dehydrated rather than dry. I've started using serum from Vichy which is helping somewhat.

Also re seeing a doctor, you are probably right @wombforanotherone I should go and see a dermatologist. Waiting lists are pretty long where I am though so need to find out how much it would cost to pay privately.

I've made a list of all the suggestions and will go back and pick the next one to try if I don't get on with the smashbox stuff.