Foundation and/or Powder for late 40s skin

[softswirlingsnow]

Ilm in my late 40s and am in the process of replacing my old makeup as I haven't worn it since before lockdown. I used to love Clinique Superpowder but after 40 it made my skin look crusty so I discovered Clinique Almost Powder which is also brilliant, and lighter coverage which is good.

Nowadays I look very tired, with dark shadows, so I'd like a light coverage foundation and powder (or maybe just one or the other) which won't look crusty or cakey.

Any suggestions?

I absolutely love the Laura Geller Balance and Brighten color correcting powder foundation. I'm on my second compact of it. I have dry/normal skin, and I didn't think a powder would work for me, but I was totally wrong. It looks so natural and feels like you have nothing on your face. I'm 49, btw.

The Charlotte tilbury pressed powders are good. There’s a colourless one as well as the ones with colour.
also the Laura mercier pressed powder

I don't use powders anymore, I use the setting sprays, they seem to work. Powders very aging on me but I'm 52

I mix a bit of liquid highlighter in to my basic rimmel makeup and it goes on really well. Not shimmery but not flat and chalky

Thank you for your replies.
Are expensive formulas actually any better than cheaper brands?

Would I be better with tinted moisturiser/ BB / CC cream?

Nars. Can't go wrong

The CT powder is flattering. There is rose oil in it and it doesn't look caked. I use a little on a fluffy brush. Don't get the colourless one. It made me look older.

Hourglass pressed powder is good, I use diffused light.

I don't bother with a foundation but use a glowy primer suvj as charlotte wonderglow

Plus I've discovered if I ace my skincare routine I don't need to hide, only enhance.

I think with foundation you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a formulation that works for you. Some brands are good for full coverage, some do great tinted moisturisers

My skin is combination/dry and I like medium coverage. I use a damp beauty blender to apply it because I want a barely there look. I'm an NC25 in MAC for reference.

I rate Nars Sheer Glow ( though it's not glowy)
No7 Hydraluminous
Wet and Wild Photofocus
L'Oreal True Match

All of those blend well, look seamless and don't go patchy on me.

Powder - Charlotte Tilbury is good but I find it very dense and very pigmented which can end up looking dusty.

Honestly the best powder I've found is Maybelline Matte Maker. It's £3.99. I only need a bit round my T zone and it just sinks in. It only comes in 2 shades though, both Caucasian, which isnt optimal.

Hourglass powders are excellent - I use Radiant light but more as a finishing powder to diffuse rather than as a powder to mattify.

Hope that helps.

ask for samples before you buy. I tried Laura Mercier, Nars, and YSL (Nu) tinted moisturizers. All gorgeous, but preferred YSL. The Nars TM wasn’t very glowy.

It cosmetics your skin but better. Not the Cc cream as that's heavy, the lighter bottle. It's incredible. Not so glowy you need powder, but not so Matt you look cakey.

IMO, yes. I'm 64 and wear Boots no7 City Light tinted moisturiser. (which is more like a foundation than a moisturiser). I stopped wearing any face powder years ago as it is very unforgiving on older skin.

I really like the texture of their Intelligent Colour foundation, but even the Light isn't light enough for my pale skin.

I was just coming on to say this. It’s brilliantly. It’s not a flat matte that deadens your skin, it doesn’t highlight your pores like lots of foundations that call themselves glowy. It’s more of a satin finish. I don’t need to powder it unless I’m going to have to wear a mask. There is a massive shade range too.