Where am I going wrong? Foundation pilling and settling in to pores

[Hawthornberry]

I'm not skilled with make up application, I'm trying to get better.
I realised that as I have got older (late 40s) I have bigger pores and uneven skin texture, so I have invested in a couple of primers to help smooth out my foundation.
But it is worse than using no primer. The foundation is pilling, settling into pores and looking terrible.
Previously I would just use moisturiser - the Inkeylist peptide moisturiser - and foundation - Rimmel lasting finish, and would achieve reasonable coverage with some areas of issue around nose and chin of settling in to pores and rough texture.
Now I am using the above but have also been using Stila All about the Blur primer which I had high hopes for, and it's terrible - the foundation is more in the pores, bad texture and almost seems to be separating and sliding off the primer.
Where am I going wrong?
Is it because I'm using too much primer (used around small pea sized amount for whole face)? Not letting it set long enough (waited couple of minutes)? Or is it the wrong type of primer for the foundation?
I read that primer and foundation should both be either oil or water based...the foundation is water based but I can't find any information whether the Stila primer is?
Have also tried a different primer Rimmel fix and perfect primer, with similar disappointing results.
Have tried applying the foundation with beauty blender and with fingers, neither method helps.
Please can anyone advise where I am going wrong? I have a big event coming up at the weekend and want to get this right.
Thanks

Maybe too much product? I use Mac Face and Body shade C2 and I apply it using a slightly dampened egg makeup sponge applicator. I carry blotting sheets in my bag and have found those useful. What about a Setting Spray?

I seem to end up putting make up on, then rubbing half of it off again with a sock……

Primer generally has silicones as its smoothing ingredient. Silicones cause other products to pill. The only thing to stop it really is to put your primer on and then wait a good half hour before putting anything else on.

In my experience when I get pilling it's a mismatch between skincare and make-up rather than anything to do with the primer

For example The Ordinary's hyaluronic acid had to be relegated to evening skincare because any make up I tried to wear over it would pull horribly, even if I waited an hour before putting my make up on

*pill

I personally don’t like primer. It always looks worse

Hmm the moisturiser is a recent addition, maybe I should try it with the one I used to use (neutrogena clear and defend). But that was not perfect either

I'll also try the suggestion of leaving the primer for half an hour. And applying the moisturiser earlier - I applied it just before the primer. Maybe I'm putting too many things on in quick succession

Anyone else got any thoughts?

I find silicone heavy primers make my foundation pill terribly. I have a blurring primer by Laura Mercier which works well for me at blocking oil and works with every foundation/tinted moisturiser/bb cream I have. It’s the first primer I’ve liked.

I don't like most primers, find them too thick and cloggy. I use Hourglass Mineral Veil primer and it's ace. I sometimes use it as a moisturiser, or rather I don't put a moisturiser as well, sometimes I do. I'd put on moisturiser/primer and then foundation (all very small amounts, not even a pea size of the mineral veil, half a pea at most!) and then leave it five or ten min before advancing on the rest of the face to give it time to set.

If primer doesn't suit you, just don't wear one, better than layers of stuff slipping about on your face.

I have the same problem with undereye concealer, which ever one i try, it just seems to sit on my skin doesn't look good, I've tried using a little, setting it with powder not setting with power, I can't explain it exactly but it looks obvious that I have concealer on.

So, the Benefit pore primer just didn't work for me, just covered me with a thin layer of something that rubbed off, all very odd. My daughter likes it though, I gave it to her.

Oh yes! I loved this one too.

I'm the same age and skin type and found primers made it worse- however maybelline radiant liquid foundation really does veil my pores- they used to advertise it using a golf ball! At the higher end, clinique serum foundation does the same!

I found this and settled with no7 range which works for me. Moisturiser and foundation, occasionally the prima when I’m going out out.

I've found I only get pilling with using too much serum and moisturiser. Have you tried a brush for foundation application? There are various different styles, including kabuki brushes, and you may find a brush gives you more even application.

@MotherOfGodWeeFella I agree, I think serum plus moisturiser plus primer plus foundation is all too much. I'd go with serum before bed (a couple of times a week, I leave my face most nights to sort itself out) and then only either serum or moisturiser or even neither, then the Hourglass primer. Three things are too many moisturising/slippery things as a base!

Use a brush for foundation.
nyx marshmellow primer is good.
the woman in bobbi brown told me that pilling can be down to lack of exfoliating, not sure if that’s true.

I use concealer to cover my giant pores after my moisturiser has sunk in. I also use a damp beauty sponge. I find less is more when it comes to foundation. For texture, I use a salicylic acid cleanser and retinol.

Thanks everyone

Agree - probably too many products in combo. Maybe try a couple of different primers to see how they work for you and as others have said, leave a time gap between application of each product so it can settle. I found matching my primer to my foundation to be the best option (so same brand). I’d normally cleanse, apply moisturiser then wait a short while, apply primer and give it another 10 mins before putting on foundation - I’ve found very slightly dampening my foundation brush gives a much better finish overall.
I’ve also found the Inkeylist stuff to be absolute rubbish (and not cheap either). No idea how it has the hype it does.

OP use L'Oréal infallible foundation. Game changer - re pores issue

No primer necessary either

Delilah primer is nice