Make up help!

[ReformedWaywardTeen]

I'm not hugely into make up and stuff but do wear foundation, powder and mascara.

Since turning 40 and having perimenopause symptoms I've noticed my foundation and powder both sink into my pores on the end of my nose. It looks ridiculous and it happens within minutes.

I've tried changing to a foundation with Hyaluronic acid, changed primer, started using setting spray. I've exfoliated, and use moisturizer, then dropped the moisturizer to see if that was causing it.

I already have limited make up options as I'm very pale and have sensitive skin. I'm also on a lower budget.

But I tried a sample of expensive foundation I was given in John Lewis (YSL) and exactly the same happened.

Any ideas? I've exhausted Google searches. It's really bugging me because it looks awful. I hate my nose as it is so anything that makes it look daft is not great

I have this and have found a fix! Don’t put primer on your nose first off. Then use a bit of loose powder on your nose and this is is the weird bit, spray some hairspray on a foundation sponge and apply to your nose. Then apply foundation as normal. I think the hairspray makes the foundation stick and not sink into your pores.

I found hairspray works as a great setting spray! Probably not good for you but I would guess they have similar ingredients.

Estée Lauder double wear probably won't do that.

I will definitely try the hairspray, I can see how that might work actually as it's sticky.

Thank you!

I'm not sure hairspray is a good solution for your face. Given you only have one! As a one off maybe, but not as a permanent solution or even as a weekly thing.
Your pores are what they are. Not many things can make them disappear. Certain things can make them more noticeable. For me it's highlighters, bad foundations (I mean not right for me, even expensive ones don't work sometimes, so it's not about $), shiny powder and all radiant foundations. Avoid things that "glow". If you want highlighter apply it here and there not everywhere, keep away from the pores. Just top of the cheeks.
Some foundations don't work with certain sunscreens.
Certain sunscreens are "too heavy" and clog the pores... so they open up more to breathe!
Primer shouldn't be an everyday thing. They clog the pores, so they might end up "looking bigger" to allow the skin to breathe. Instead of primer, pick a better foundation that doesn't need a primer.
Cleanse at the end of the day, do it properly. Do it in the morning too for a while. I would also use an alcohol-based tonic with a piece of cotton on the pores i.e. cheeks and nose, at night.
So, basically: cleaning and changing to lighter things. Get rid of the primer, particularly if it's silicone-based, in fact if it has silicone there's your answer. Let your skin breathe! Let the air in and out.

Just read you have "sensitive" skin. Girl, less is more. You need less and better than many average things.
Your skin isn't a wall that needs to be prepped, primed and 3 coats of paint every day.

Thank you @UnicornStarfish

It's just weird with me as I never had this issue until I turned 40 and started having perimenopause symptoms.

I did try the hairspray and it worked for longer than when I usually just see it go spotty within 2 minutes but it did end up doing anyway after a couple of hours.

I'm going to keep trying different foundations and things. I don't wear make up every day, never have, it's only if I'm going out. But I'm about to be returning to work full time and very public facing so want to see if I can stop it happening.

Blush with glitter or too shiny can make pores larger too (visually because they stay the same). Go with matte or satin. NARS Orgasm is a big no-no!
Face masks made my pores massive! I think it was like being under one of those steam devices when you get a facial. And when I wore sunscreen under a mask, then my skin went nuts, I even got loads of spots. So our skin really needs to breathe.
My pores are noticeable too. You stick to the cleaning and to the lighter things and it should help massively and run away from shiny things like your life depends on it.
Remembered something else: once a week exfoliate the nose and cheeks. Don't do it more often, exfoliating hurts the skin so you don't want to do it too much. A clay mask every now and then (real clay and water, nothing else, might help too)
Good luck to you, love your skin and chances are it will love you back 🤗