Help! foundation makes me look ashy

[OooooohhhZing]

Just that...It seems a good match for my skin tone and looks great when I put it on, but later - when I'm out - and in photos my skin tone always looks ashy.

Can you help me understand what tone difference I need to be looking for in a replacement shade?

I have a naturally warm hair tone but neutral/cool skin tone. Pale skin (but usually 2nd to lightest for make up) and chestnut brown hair. Hazel eyes. Avoid orange-based reds, look best in blue-based reds and avoid yellow-based make up.

Currently use 1N2 Ecru (oddly always looks much darker in the colour chat dot than it does out the bottle) and hope someone can advise which shade would suit me better please?

https://m.esteelauder.co.uk/product/643/3894/product-catalog/makeup/face/foundations/double-wear/stay-in-place-foundation-spf-10?shade=1N2_Ecru

Foundations with SPF don't photograph well. They leave a cast which may explain your ashy look in photos. This is why they don't recommend foundations with SPF on people's wedding days.

So it may not be anything to do with the shade.

I didn't know that! I'm not wedded to using one with spf, I use a separate spf, but would that effect skin tone in different lights too (not photo'd) ?

Yep to the SPF. Also that is a very high-coverage foundation - are you sure you need that much coverage? Even a light-to-medium coverage foundation like Nars sheer glow would cover blemishes or acne scars.

Might be worth getting a consultation with someone, the boots no 7 one is fantastic. They gave me great skincare analysis, colour matched foundation and explained why the one I was using made me look washed out.

Where do I go for this? Just one of the make up counters?

I booked mine online. It's their pro derm analysis scan. www.boots.com/brands/brands-n/no7/no7-pro-derm-scan

The lady I had was great, not pushy with upselling but this was a few months ago. Probably depends on the store how good they are!