Help - I need an absolutely non-cakey foundation

[CottagePieLaLaLa]

Let me start by saying I have A LOT of make up. As in a whole cupboard full of it. I enjoy trying new looks, new products, and playing with colour.

However, I am yet to find a foundation that doesn't look cakey in the mirror. Even MAC face & body is too cakey for me. I don't use too much and I've tried stippling brushes, kabuki brushes, traditional sponges, beauty blenders, fingers and anything else I could think of. My make up may look good when I'm standing in front of a full-length mirror, but the moment I look closely at my face, in natural light, you can absolutely see the foundation. And I don't like that. I have also tried primer (I quite like Porefessional by Benefit), setting sprays (I even tried the DIY ones), and various foundation formulas (including Chanel SdT).

I am 50 and have some hyperpigmentation. A few lines but not much. Pores are a little visible. Do I have to go to tinted moisturisers? But even now my hyperpigmentation shows - and I don't like that. If I move to lighter formulas (right now I don't even use full coverage foundations), then the hyperpigmentation will be even more visible.

Any suggestions? Thank you.

Bobbi Brown intensive serum foundation. It's not cheap but I had the same issue with cakey-ness and this is the best I've used.

Clarins Skin Illusion - goes on really easily and smoothly, it's lovely and very subtle but good coverage. I'm a little older than you you and it does the job.

Isn't il makiage really cakey though? It's advertised as a thick full coverage Matte

Second this. Excellent stuff

There was a Boots No 7 in a black bottle; so light and translucent on my aging skin. But now they have stopped making it. Not been able to find a suitable replacement.

You'd have to really build it to get it like that.

Best foundation ever.

I could have written the OPs post a few months back. Problem solved with the one you recommend.

Re how long to Leave each layer - when I get up I put moisturiser on then do kids brekky - then primer on, get dressed and get packed lunches ready, brush teeth, then foundation. If I don’t space it out I get piling.

I tend to do skincare then my hair then my makeup which leaves time for the skincare to sink in.

I haven’t timed it but my hair wouldn’t normally take anything less than 10 minutes so at least that really.

Could you use a tinted moisturiser (I second Nars and Bare Minerals - I find the former slightly thicker but less shiny - both fantastic formulas as long as you can find a good colour match) and then focus on the hyperpigmentation with concealer? I've seen a few make up artists saying not to cover your face with a single base of one product but to look at your face and work out where you need coverage and use products there, blending them out so it obviously isn't visible.

Bare Minerals do this foundation stick where I think the idea is you can daub it on where you need it and blend out, or at least that's one way of using it.
https://www.boots.com/bareminerals-complexion-rescue-hydrating-foundation-stick-10265145

Same as previous poster said - I think it happens with any foundation if skincare hasn't had long enough to settle. You could do a test of this by applying your make up first thing in the morning (before applying any morning skincare). If it's not cakey then time for skincare to settle is needed.

I try to leave about half an hour between moisturising and foundation if I can.

Are you certain it’s a foundation issue and not a problem with skin dryness?

I haven't tried any of those recommended by PPs but Perricone MD 'no makeup foundation serum' is fab!

I used this on the off-chance on the weekend. I didn't like it much when I bought it but it was the first one to hand and it looked fantastic this time.

Avon serum foundation.

I dabbed on with my finger where needed.

Sounds good

I don’t think foundation is designed for mature skin.

I use clinicare followed by studio fix powder.

Charlotte tilbury all the way

Agreed re letting skincare settle. Then use a primer (make sure its appropriate for your foundation and won't pill). Then look at your face in good light and see if anything has caked or settled into pores. Then get a fluffy eyeshadow brush (the really soft round ones that you use to blend) and very gently go over those areas in small circular polishing type movements. It won't take your foundation off don't worry. I do this round my nose and under my eyes. That completely sorts it out weirdly!!! Then light powder. Bring the little brush with you for touch ups. I'm nearly 50 and am so annoyed I've only just discovered this trick.

Charlotte tilbury light wonder. I had this exact issue and was about to just give up, but went and had a skin test at CT and got recommended this. It’s light, doesn’t cake or change colour and feels lovely. It isn’t very high coverage though, but just enough.

Senegence foundation is amazing. Light, full coverage, non comedogenic and anti aging. It’s the only one I would use now.

I swear by max factor lasting performance foundation and a bit of concealer, apply the foundation first. I do this straight after cleansing and applying olay beauty fluid. This seems to work fine for me. I also use the max factor pressed powder compact if I'm having a shiny skin day. I always get compliments on how clear my skin looks too and that I never looked tired 😅

I don't know if anyone else has suggested Huda Glowish? It's a gooey tinted moisturiser but makes skin look AMAZING and not 'flat' which most foundations do. I'd highly recommend and then spot conceal anything extra

GLOWY not gooey 🤣. If I want higher coverage I mix it with my foundation to increase coverage but keep the glow x

I always wish everyone would recommend the same thing, I feel as confused and spoilt for choice now as at the start of the thread! 🤣