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Original poster

Foundation for pale skin

46 replies

HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 09:59

I'm really struggling to find a good colour match with my foundation, so thought i'd throw this out to you all for some advice.

I'm very pale with cool undertones, currently wearing MAC Studio Fix in NW10 and its just a tad too pink looking.

I've tried No7 Hydralumious in Porcelain and its even darker than the MAC. NARS Sheer Glow in Siberia is too yellow (not to mention looks dreadful on and transfers at the slightest touch)

Is there anything else worth a try? I was wondering if the MAC in NC10 might be worth a short or possibly the Fenty blurring skin tint (shade 1)?

Don't want to spend more than £30

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StatisticallyChallenged · 28/04/2022 10:49

Nars in shade Oslo or mont blanc. Oslo is cool (pinky) mont blanc is more neutral.

Their new light reflecting foundation is gorgeous on me, but it is a bit over budget. I'm super pale too and it's so hard to find good options

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HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 11:22

Thanks for the suggestions @StatisticallyChallenged Do you find the light reflecting foundation to have good lasting power? I liked the coverage of sheer glow, but found that after a few hours it was coming off and by the end of the day had none on my nose at all!

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Chaoslatte · 28/04/2022 11:27

I too have the complexion of a ghost and while I don’t tend to bother with foundation now, Rimmel Match Perfection in Light Porcelain is the only thing I’ve found that’s light enough.

ArabeI · 28/04/2022 11:40

Also very pale here! I occasionally use By Terry cover expert liquid foundation, but I think that might be over £30 budget.

I like powder foundations and use Lily Lolo in porcelain or Bare minerals in fair 01.

Squills · 28/04/2022 11:44

I use Clinique Superbalanced foundation in 02 Fair

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HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 11:45

I've not tried a powder foundation before. Are they better than liquid ones?

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StatisticallyChallenged · 28/04/2022 11:46

HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 11:22

Thanks for the suggestions @StatisticallyChallenged Do you find the light reflecting foundation to have good lasting power? I liked the coverage of sheer glow, but found that after a few hours it was coming off and by the end of the day had none on my nose at all!

Lasting power has been quite good on me. I have Sheer Glow too, and the tinted moisturiser. The light reflecting lasts a whole day at work for me, but it also wore off well (if that makes sense) so even when it did wear off I didn't go patchy like I do with Sheer Glow. I think because it is not a matt, even where it wears off there's not the obvious texture contrast that you get between skin and more matt foundation.

ArabeI · 28/04/2022 11:53

I don't know if powder foundations are 'better' as such, but I think they give a lighter, more natural, look. I'm more likely to use the liquid foundation on occasions or when having a bad skin day!
I would recommend the Bare Minerals powder foundation brush (outer circle of bristles are raised) however, rather than other kabuki brushes. I don't always use a finishing powder over the top.

Athena51 · 28/04/2022 13:45

I have very pale, pink undertoned skin and I use Bobbi Brown Foundation stick in Alabaster it's £33 so a little over but it's fantastic, if it's discontinued I'll cry 😀

BusterGonad · 28/04/2022 14:56

Lancome do really lovely pale foundations. Some pinky and some just pale. I really rate their formulas too.

AndSoFinally · 28/04/2022 15:00

Tarte cosmetics do unbelievably pale foundations. They're only online so you can't try but they do have fairly accurate pictures of models that you can compare to, and a virtual colour match thing that's pretty good.

Innocenta · 28/04/2022 15:04

Too Faced Born This Way in 'cloud' is pale and cool. It's always worth googling for swatches of any that you're considering. You can usually find pictures of them swatched alongside what you've tried, to see if it looks like it would be better.

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HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 15:05

I am liking the look of the stick foundation by Bobbi Brown, but I'm worried that I wouldn't know how to put that on! Do you crayon it on as it were and then blend out with a brush?

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Redannie118 · 28/04/2022 15:13

I second PP and say Tarte. Their shape tape concealer is the only one ive ever found thats light enough for my skin. If you download the QVC app they have fab bundle offers that work out at brilliant value, and you can pay interest free over 3 monthly pyts.

Jenniedontbehasty · 28/04/2022 15:16

Check out the Trinny London range. I’m very pale and love it.

trinnylondon.com/uk/collections/face

Hope90x · 28/04/2022 15:23

I have a friend who wears the Mac Studio Fix NC10 and it looks flawless on her very pale skin.

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HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 15:29

Thanks everyone - lots of suggestions for me to spend the evening looking into! I've got a few big city visits coming up over the next few weeks so i'm hoping to be able to actually try a few out before taking the plunge (I've wasted so much money on foundations...)

@Jenniedontbehasty I have tried TrinnyLondon and again found the lightest shade to be too dark. I do like the eye shadows though and the stackable pots that they come in!!

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HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 15:42

Just looking at Tarte now via QVC!

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catwomando · 28/04/2022 15:46

Dior shade 10. My DD had a porcelain skin and it's perfect.

Athena51 · 28/04/2022 16:01

HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 15:05

I am liking the look of the stick foundation by Bobbi Brown, but I'm worried that I wouldn't know how to put that on! Do you crayon it on as it were and then blend out with a brush?

I draw it on where I need it and then blend it with a wedge sponge but a brush would work too. I like it because it's easier to control the coverage than with liquid foundation. It's economical as well.

HelenRose1111 · 28/04/2022 16:03

I'm ghostly pale and use The Ordinary Serum foundation (£6.80) in 1.0NS or 1.0N, I defy you to find anything paler - best applied with a brush.
Or, IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Fair Ivory is good (£30 ish though)
I also use Tarte Shape Tape in Porcelain Beige then powder over, no need for foundation.

AdoraBell · 28/04/2022 16:12

Ooh, can I just place mark? I’m so pale I’m almost invisible.

Hope you find something that works well OP

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 28/04/2022 16:23

For a foundation that can be trusted to just stay where I put it, I always go to Double Wear in Porcelain. It's just so reliable and a really good colour match. I also like the serum foundation by The Ordinary in 1.0N, but find it very sheer. I usually use a damp sponge to apply my foundations.

Other things I've tried and found acceptable include the Nyx Matte But Not Flat powder foundation, Sheer Glow (in Siberia - I usually mix it with a bit of DW) and the IT Cosmetics CC cream in Fair Ivory, although this latter either oxidises or just isn't as fair as it wants to make itself out to be!

Original poster
HelloCanYouHearMe · 28/04/2022 16:32

I had a bottle of The Ordinary serum foundation and found this to be another that just slid off my face after a few hours, despite exfoliating, moisturising and priming and powdering in an attempt to make it set

IT Cosmetics CC oxidised on me too, so that was donated to my mum (she does quite well out of my poor make up choices!)

I've ordered some samples from eBay of the Nars and Fenty foundations and when I'm in London next week I'm going to swing by some of the department stores for a try of Bobbi Brown, Benefit, and a few others I think although I am tempted to take the plunge and order some Tarte foundation from QVC (assuming I'm ok to send back if its not right)

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MayBeeMee · 28/04/2022 16:34

I use Maybelline Fix Me! in 104, and it blends well with my very pale skin, no hint of orange or pink. I used to use a Chanel Vitalumiere but it oxidised over a few hours and went slightly orange.