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Original poster

What to do? Foundation highlighting every fine line.

49 replies

ImDoingThisNow · 05/08/2023 19:53

I’ve been without make up on holiday for a few weeks. I had to get dressed up yesterday and (ignoring that my foundation was too light with my summer sort of colour) it just looked awful. Every fine line that I normally can’t see showed up clearly.

What do you all do when the fine lines are starting? Today, I didn’t use foundation, just mascara and blusher, but it didn’t feel finished.

I have never found a tinted moisturiser that works - they’re all too yellow or too pink.

I'm normally very pale (Ivory/ porcelain and I have summer freckles, rather than a tan) and my complexion tends to be 'ruddy' - red cheeks etc (but not in a nice way).

I feel like I need to start again now that I’m in my mid 40s. I just want to look smart and 'put together' for work.

OP posts:
AquamarineGlass · 05/08/2023 19:54

Serum before moisturiser

ACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 05/08/2023 19:57

I felt my skin was the problem when this happened and tackled that instead. I have been using La Roche Posay and felt a difference within a few days.

Ibizafun · 05/08/2023 19:57

My lines aren't so fine anymoreGrin and I find any foundation, even the expensive ones, accentuate them. I work on getting my skin in decent condition and only use it to cover blemishes like thread veins, along with concealer. I then use the Charlotte Tilbury cream bronzer which gives an amazing glow.

Works for me.

Purplecatshopaholic · 05/08/2023 20:09

When this started for me, I ditched foundation and shopped around for a tinted moisturiser instead. I also focused on getting my skin as good as possible anyway so foundation was less necessary. I have used a few - current fave is a CC cream Your Skin But Better (I think it’s called) from IT cosmetics. Use that with a bit of concealer (less is generally more to help it not cake in the fine lines) - I like the Lancôme L’idole one or Pat McGrath. The Victoria Beckham serum in Golden is amazing stuff too.

Original poster
ImDoingThisNow · 05/08/2023 20:51

AquamarineGlass · 05/08/2023 19:54

Serum before moisturiser

Could you recommend one, please?

OP posts:
Original poster
ImDoingThisNow · 05/08/2023 20:52

ACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 05/08/2023 19:57

I felt my skin was the problem when this happened and tackled that instead. I have been using La Roche Posay and felt a difference within a few days.

That’s a good call. I’ve been trying to work on the 'inner me' and feel better, but I think I need to revisit my skin care.

OP posts:
Original poster
ImDoingThisNow · 05/08/2023 20:53

Ibizafun · 05/08/2023 19:57

My lines aren't so fine anymoreGrin and I find any foundation, even the expensive ones, accentuate them. I work on getting my skin in decent condition and only use it to cover blemishes like thread veins, along with concealer. I then use the Charlotte Tilbury cream bronzer which gives an amazing glow.

Works for me.

That’s something I could look at. What concealer do you use? I’ve sometimes found concealer hard to match and I end up with 'blobs' (not so much the colour different, but texture/ shininess or matte-ness difference).

OP posts:
Original poster
ImDoingThisNow · 05/08/2023 20:54

Purplecatshopaholic · 05/08/2023 20:09

When this started for me, I ditched foundation and shopped around for a tinted moisturiser instead. I also focused on getting my skin as good as possible anyway so foundation was less necessary. I have used a few - current fave is a CC cream Your Skin But Better (I think it’s called) from IT cosmetics. Use that with a bit of concealer (less is generally more to help it not cake in the fine lines) - I like the Lancôme L’idole one or Pat McGrath. The Victoria Beckham serum in Golden is amazing stuff too.

Maybe I need to look again at tinted moisturisers… I need a pale coloured one.

OP posts:
TheMildManneredMilitant · 05/08/2023 20:56

I'm the same. I've totally given up on foundation and replaced with decent skincare routine and then Erborian CC cream with glossier cloud paint for blush. It doesn't look quite as polished but I prefer looking glowy these days.

I liked Mac face and Body too as a foundation replacement but didn't get on with the newer formula. It's worth a go to get used to something lighter.

Defiantlynot41 · 05/08/2023 20:58

Bobbi Brown have just launched /relaunched their vitamin enriched Tinted moisturiser. Comes in 38 colours and I was able to find a good match ( usually hard). Feels lovely, light coverage, I'm very early 60s so need a little help www.bobbibrown.co.uk/vitamin-enriched-skin-tint

DeliciouslyDecadent · 05/08/2023 21:09

I'd go to the Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder or Clinique counters and ask to be colour matched for foundation and bring samples home. There are plenty of very light ones around that shouldn't show lines. You could try a tinted moisturiser and a light application of a very fine powder, like a Laura Mercier translucent one.

ginandheels · 05/08/2023 21:14

Create your own tinted moisturiser by putting a small amount of your foundation into your preferred daily moisturiser. It really works.

Whataretheodds · 05/08/2023 21:15

Decent moisturisers (morning and night)
Primer before foundation (I use No 7)
Nice dewy foundation (no 7 hydraluminous)

Consider retinol

Botox

Diddykong · 05/08/2023 21:19

I find a good primer does wonders. I like the ordinary one although there isn't much in the tube.

blueshoes · 05/08/2023 21:22

Outside of waking hours, try working on the underlying skin as much as possible to lessen the lines. I cannot get away with just moisturiser or serum and have to use facial oils. I am sure there are lots of very expensive facial oils out there but I just use generic almond oil and nivea/astral cream. Slather it on at night. In fact, I also use this combo in the morning (but in more judicious amounts) underneath my normal day cream and foundation.

It gives a 'dewy' look, which would not be acceptable if I was younger because it would seem oily. But at my age, better to look oily than cracked IMO.

If I stop using this even for a few days, the cracks and lines return.

ladygindiva · 05/08/2023 21:22

Primers a game changer for me. I never use tinted moisturiser or foundation without it, for exactly the issue you raise. I use a cheap Rimmel one, it's good.

DuploTrain · 05/08/2023 21:26

Bare minerals complexion rescue tinted moisturiser is very nice. Glowy and sheer so it doesn’t sit in lines. Lots and lots of shade options too.

I didn’t get on with Erborian at all - I have olivey skin so I went for the darker shade and it was unbelievably orange.

Saschka · 05/08/2023 21:41

Foundations that are light-diffusing aim to fix that - look for words like “luminous” and “light-reflecting”. Also worth avoiding “matte” and “longwear” formulations as I personally find those all settle into the creases a bit.

matchamate · 05/08/2023 21:44

Use the minimum amount of foundation, you don't need it all over your face. Go for light formulas, and not matte ones. Nars light reflecting is a nice one

TooBusyGazingAtStarss · 05/08/2023 21:45

I had the same problem. If I put a layer of foundation on.
So now I dont. I use all cream products.
I use a setting mist and put a light bit of concealer where I want it and let that sit, then dot my bronzer where i want it and then fill in the gaps with bits of foundation. Maybe add a bit of liquid blusher if i fancy it.
Spray setting mist all over face and use a sponge or brush - i prefer a foundation brush - to blend going from concealer, to foundation to bronzer then blusher.

Then a final mist, let that dry

Then ive got a translucent powder i use to make it a matte finish - if thats what you want.
Looks more natural than layering it all on.
Obviously you can then go over it all with powder products if you want, id do that if i was going out out.

Then obviously do the rest you would usually do, mascara/lashes and eyebrows.

Its really minimised the lines for me.

SiobahnRoy · 05/08/2023 21:48

L’Oréal true match plumping tinted serum has worked wonders for me.

chocolatebunnybop · 05/08/2023 22:13

A night time moisturiser I recommend is Weleda Skin Food. Gives your skin a very good "drink". It's on Amazon for £8-£9 sometimes goes up in price but usually comes back down if you wait.
I also use BPerfect Chome foundation. Its not drying at all and it's affordable. It's a luminous foundation so it helps brighten your complexion. I also use a light colour "two faced" concealor "born this way" under my eyes. The tube has lasted months and so has the foundation. I recommend giving them a go. Let us know what you go for and give us your review! Xx

Squirrelsnut · 05/08/2023 22:16

You could try a skin tint (rather than a tinted moisturiser). The tints seem to be more make-up than skin care, which I prefer, and have a greater shade range.

blahblahblah1654 · 05/08/2023 22:26

I use no7 bb cream and it gives a nice glow. Maybelline anti aging concealer and beauty pie face powder one powder wonder in translucent. I use Olay total effects serum and olay vitamin c spf 30 cream underneath. It's made such a difference to my skin. Much fresher and glowing.

QueenOfHiraeth · 05/08/2023 22:30

Chanel CC cream is the best I have found. Foundations all go "cakey" and settle in lines or on sun damage patches