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Original poster

Shopping for foundation was a miserable experience.

86 replies

Nepenthe · 02/02/2022 14:23

I'm not used to wearing foundation, if I'm going to wear make up at all, it's usually just eyeshadow in subtle browns and greys, black eyeliner and mascara, and sometime a neutral lip colour. I'm starting to feel like it's sometimes not enough, and when I want to make a special I could do with something more. So I went looking for a foundation and a concealer today. I ended up feeling stupid and overwhelmed, and came home with nothing.

There is not a lot of choice locally (a medium-sized Boots, and a small Superdrug), so I went to Boots and looked at nyx. Found a couple of shades that looked like they might be worth trying but those shades had no testers available. Found a tester for one, the colour looked good, but there were none in stock. Out of ten or twelve shades, only about half had testers available. One of them was super runny and splurged out all over my hand. I had to find a member of staff and ask for a tissue, because there were none nearby.

I tried a different brand, not sure which one, might have been L'Oreal. There were some testers available, so I opened one up and it had all separated in the tube, so loads of oily liquid came out, and no colour. I thought it didn't bode well, so moved on.

I tried a third brand, this one was in a bottle, but the nozzle was blocked and the stuff exploded all over my clothes. I had to zip my coat up, even though I was already too hot, and I can't cope with being too hot, so I figured that the foundation gods were not smiling on me today, and gave it up as a bad job. I didn't want to risk looking for a concealer.

I'm not great at talking to people, it was hard enough asking for a tissue, so I don't really want to approach one of the counter assistants. Besides, they all work for particular brands, so they won't necessarily help me find the one that's right for me.

So, when you have no idea where to start, how do you go about choosing a foundation? Just keep buying them at £10-£20 a pop until you find the right one? Or can you order samples anywhere? I'm not really familiar enough with any one brand to have a preference, so I can't even use that as a starting point.

I don't want to look heavily made up, I just want to look in the mirror and not think I look rough AF. Maybe that I even look nice!

OP posts:
WhatsitWiggle · 02/02/2022 21:08

If you can manage, ask at the no7 counter for the match made service. It's a hand held scanner and you need your jawline to be make up free - they scan your jaw and it'll tell you the best colour match, mine is warm ivory.

You probably want a light coverage, and tell them if your skin is oily or dry and they will suggest the best one. At £15-£20 a foundation you don't really want to trial and error.

Once you've got your base colour, they've got colour cards for blusher and lipstick that'll suit - I found this a really good way to try new, brighter lipsticks that I would never have thought of trying before.

LiveFromNewYork · 02/02/2022 21:20

I'm like you, 45, pale skin and hate talking to people at beauty counters. Obviously they are keen to sell stuff since you're likely to keep repurchasing than go through all that again. I've had some ridiculous things suggested for me.

One thing I'd recommend is going with a friend who can inform you if the salesperson is off on one. There's safety in numbers.

I quite like the Nars radiant tinted moisturiser. You can get it discounted sometimes and they do some pale colours, I use Terra Neuve. You can buy tiny sample pots on eBay. They are a rip off but worth doing. I personally think sheerer formulas are better at our age but we are all different in terms of what we want in a base.

redferrari · 02/02/2022 21:29

Try the virtual ones, I know here are a few but I recommend this: www.maccosmetics.co.uk/foundation-shade-match

This is a virtual thing. I tested it and It was pretty close to my shade.

redferrari · 02/02/2022 21:31

Sorry that was the link, this is the one www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13847/1231/products/makeup/face/foundation/studio-fix-fluid-spf-15-foundation

FabriqueBelgique · 02/02/2022 21:36

I ordered Maybelline matte mouse and a real beauty blender from Amazon - it goes on a dream! But before this, yep, just dropping tenners on different foundations every few months and crossing my fingers 😂

whoopstheregoesmyshouldet · 02/02/2022 21:46

@fridgepants I love that cover girl one too! Must get DH to buy some when he's on business in US next

Original poster
Nepenthe · 03/02/2022 20:00

Thank you again for all the info and links.

@WhatsitWiggle The No 7 matching thing sounds good, and now that I know what to ask for, and what to expect, I can probably handle that, so thank you.

I'm going to spend some time looking at all of these online, and then order some samples, and go back to Boots for the colour match thing.

Thank you all again so much, I can't tell you how much it has helped.

OP posts:
LadyNell · 04/02/2022 05:54

I bought No7 hydraluminous foundation and uts really good, great colour match, I got colour matched in Boots and its spot on. Nice light texture, build able coverage and a nice fresh dewy finish

LadyNell · 04/02/2022 05:56

Just seen Whatitwriggle beat me to it but yes second her recommendation x

Lightning020 · 04/02/2022 08:24

I have ordered The Ordinary serum foundation and hope it is suitable. I cannot afford to keep buying Estee Lauded any longer. I chose three different shades as they are only £5.70 eac h!

crazyjinglist · 04/02/2022 09:09

I have very fair but very non-pink skin, OP. I currently use this L'Oréal foundation in ivory, which is really good and not expensive. It goes on nicely and is fairly light, not cakey or too dewy/shiny. I sometimes use BB cream in the summer when my skin is a bit healthier-looking, but in winter I find a foundation better.

YeOldePotato · 04/02/2022 09:12

@LadyNell

I bought No7 hydraluminous foundation and uts really good, great colour match, I got colour matched in Boots and its spot on. Nice light texture, build able coverage and a nice fresh dewy finish
Agree. It's the best foundation I've ever tried.
ouchmyfeet · 04/02/2022 09:28

I've used the no7 match thing and it was very good, their hydraluminous foundation is great and reasonably priced so I would start there.

Once you have a match the findation website is great. You can enter your shade for one brand and it matches it to others

RockinHorseShit · 04/02/2022 09:46

BB cream would be good, but I'd also suggest Bare Minerals foundation, it feels light & barely there & gives decent cover too, it's my go to favourite

Blueberrycreampie · 04/02/2022 11:22

I got some foundation in Home Bargains yesterday. The make is Wet n Wild which I think is an ok brand and only 99p so you can't go wrong. One of the shades was fair. I haven't used it yet so can't comment but I'm sure it will be alright. The previous one was from Home Bargains - Max Factor CC cream, and looked good on. You could get something around this price range and experiment. My other foundation is Phoera from Amazon, gets great reviews, has an SPF15 and cruelty free. There is a great range of shades. Do try and use a moisturiser first for a smoother finish, again doesn't need to be expensive. Good luck!

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 04/02/2022 11:31

Armani do an amazing thing where they match your foundation on your skin online link. I didn't think it would work, but it does.

Their foundations are really expensive (though worth it if you can afford them), but you don't have to buy from them. Work out what your correct colour is in Armani, then Google to find out what the dupes are for that shade in other brands.

Smidgy · 04/02/2022 13:31

I spend a fortune on makeup and have a number of expensive foundations and bb creams, and yet the one I always go back to is the Rimmel Lasting Radiance one (orange lid). It lasts really well on my skin and even better is that it isn't expensive! I'm fairly pale and have a yellowish tone to my skin, and I find that many foundations are too pinky toned for me, but the Rimmel one matches really well to my skin.

whymewhyme · 04/02/2022 13:39

Theres a website called findation on google, if you put your current foundation shade it will tell you what you are in other brands. It's always been really accurate for me

RampantIvy · 04/02/2022 13:40

The No 7 matching thing sounds good, and now that I know what to ask for, and what to expect, I can probably handle that, so thank you.

Good luck. Can you take a friend with you? I find the no7 sales people really helpful.

Bossbaby12z · 04/02/2022 17:57

Ilmikage think that’s the name, I am currently using this one. You take an online questionnaire and they match up your skin tone. Colour was spot on!

NowWhatUsernameShallIHave · 04/02/2022 17:59

I think your going to be inundated here
The issue 4 things that are important are:

  • right type of foundation for your skin eg mattifing, hydrating, glowing etc
  • the type of coverage you want eg sheer, light, medium, full
  • the formula eg powder, cream or liquid
  • the shade plus your undertone

Firstly if you can upload a photo in natural light including a bit of your neck and face would help with your undertone

knitknack · 04/02/2022 18:02

There are people on eBay who sell little tester pots of high end foundations for around £4. I use them if I want to try something new but not make a costly mistake. Could you post a pic of your cheek or the side of your face - those of us who have spent many years obsessing over make up (hum hum, who me?!) could help guide you to a shade to try…

NotquitewhatImeant · 04/02/2022 18:03

No7 match thing is great and they make really good foundations. I’ve tried loads of brands and I always come back to them.

Mumof3monkey · 04/02/2022 19:00

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Suzi888 · 04/02/2022 19:03

Boots have a gadget that the consultant can hold up against a clean patch of skin to give you a colour match. You then only need to decide what type of skin you have dry, combination etc and what level of cover you need (barely there to full)