Foundation recommendations

[AlabamaWorleyyy]

I never spend money on decent makeup - I choose a random foundation for £6ish at the supermarket generally. In the last few months I feel like my skin is starting to show age (I’m 40) and I can’t get away with this anymore!
My skin is on the dry side, and I’d love a foundation that hides random pigmentation and makes me look dewy, bright. I hate the look of foundation that is obvious, if you know what I mean (often beauty counter ladies have this look, sorry). Any recommendations? I really am clueless but happy to spend more if its amazing!

@StillSmallVoice what primer do you use please?!

I've used a Rimmel one and it worked well, but brought me out in spots. I've since used a Pur one I bought in M&S which was around £20, worked well and didn't make me spotty.

Hydraluminous is my Holy Grail.
I've used a billion more expensive (and cheaper) foundations but apart from Clarins Instant Smooth (RIP) this is the only one I repeat buy.

No. Hydraluminous, about to turn 40 and skin is dryer but still need coverage for roseaca. Highly recommend!

My last post was about primers - I didn't make that clear!

Clinique fan here too

I'm not really a foundation person but wanted something to wear occasionally for looking less shit. Did the dcypher online skin tone assessment and they make a foundation that perfectly matches you. You get to choose the formula, I chose the really sheer one, more like tinted moisturiser. I'm loving it so far. The shade match was perfect.

I switched to Nars naturally radiant a few months back and it's glowy without looking sticky. Have been really impressed with it.

Absolutely hated Charlotte Tilbury airbrush. I found it oxidised and needed constant powder. Hated it!

clinique costs an arm and a leg.
probably a bit steep if you are used to supermarket products.

no7 intelligent colour is also nice. and more affordable.

I agree with pp about getting your skin underneath ready for foundation by using exfoliants and decent moisturiser. I have A LOT of dryness / redness and I use dermalogica microfoliant every few days to get did of the flakeys plus a decent moisturiser. Sometimes paulas choice bha exfoliant. These are pricey but last a long time and I don't use every day, I have to listen to my skin ... Too much and it will react badly!
Defo second the suggestion for a damp beauty blender, this changed my life! I currently mix no.7 hydraluminous skin perfector with a drop of Estée Lauder double wear or Nars Longwear foundation. Still looks dewy but has staying power and covers redness.

A tip for buying Clinique- if you know your colour obvs. Buy direct from their website. There is always a % off, it's usually 20% but can be 25 or 30. They also have events where the samples you get free with every order end up being full-sized. You get to pick your samples from a little drop down but last summer I got a 150ml suncream as a "sample". (Clarins are the same- I got a full sized cleanser 200ml as one of my "samples".

@purplesequins

clinique costs an arm and a leg. probably a bit steep if you are used to supermarket products.

no7 intelligent colour is also nice. and more affordable.

It definitely doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Though I never buy full price, get a sample to check you like it and then buy at somewhere like lookfantastic or feel unique.

Hi. I have dry skin. I love the Armani one. It’s really ££ but good dew and winter style coverage for me.

@Sexnotgender

I’m nearly 40 and my absolute go to is Clinique even better glow. It’s light and dewy and just looks amazing.

Got to agree. I know I said before that its gone up to £30.00 but I've decided you get what you pay for and it does last, do you agree?

You definitely get what you pay for to an extent. I had a fit of madness a couple of years ago and bought a Tom Ford foundation. Now THAT cost an arm and a leg. It was nice but not 3 times the price of my Clinique one nice.

I feel the Clinique one lasts and is value for money.

@Sexnotgender

You definitely get what you pay for to an extent. I had a fit of madness a couple of years ago and bought a Tom Ford foundation. Now THAT cost an arm and a leg. It was nice but not 3 times the price of my Clinique one nice.

I feel the Clinique one lasts and is value for money.

I've heard Tom Ford is very OTT with prices. Do you use any other Clinique products? I like their eyeliner and lipsticks.

Annoyingly I went to get the Clinique one and my local Boots Clinique counter didn’t stock it! I don’t want to buy it online as I want them to help me get the right shade. I’ll try a bigger town when I’m there on Thursday.

Do they stock the even better one? I'm pretty sure the shades are the same in both.

@citygirl1961 no I don’t use anything else by Clinique. I’m not particularly brand loyal!

I buy what works for me regardless of the brand.
Concealer is Tarte
Bronzer is Chanel
Eyebrow pencil Gucci
Blush either Mac or Hourglass
Mascara is Ysl
Lipstick is whatever I feel in the mood for. On an eternal hunt to replace my favourite discontinued urban decay one.

Definitely prep your skin first - exfoliate (I use the Apri grainy one) followed by NipNFab glycolic pad, argan oil, moisturizer, then foundation. I use the YSL Touche Eclat one, which I love for a natural and dewy finish. Make sure you are drinking lots of water.

Trinny London has been a game changer for me. Not cheap but really good quality.

@Milomonster

Definitely prep your skin first - exfoliate (I use the Apri grainy one) followed by NipNFab glycolic pad, argan oil, moisturizer, then foundation. I use the YSL Touche Eclat one, which I love for a natural and dewy finish. Make sure you are drinking lots of water.

I get exhausted ready this

@purplesequins sorry! I only exfoliate and NipNFab once a week! It would be too harsh on my skin to do daily. Oil and moisturizer I do every day.
I’ve seen threads where people are using 8 products - I thought my routine was simple . Anyway, I think good underlying skin makes a big difference to how foundation appears.