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

Too much skincare?

if I wear foundation (I usually stick to concealer and powder) I try to leave my skin as bare as possible.

so it’s:

1. moisturising spf 50
2. wait a little bit
3. primer
4. concealer
5. foundation

skincare and foundation unfortunately just means pilling for me.

I do however get dry patches around my nose /cheeks, which makes the foundation settle into pores. my solution is to apply a looot of moisturising/softening products in the evening whenever I know that I’ll have a “big” event / want to wear foundation the next day…

Just coming back to update, I tried spreading out moisturising, primer and foundation by at least 15 mins between each and that seems to have done the trick. Foundation going on quite nicely now.

Glad you have sorted it, a bit of a pain for everyday, but for a special occasion, worth it- hope you have a great time.

I think primers make foundation look horrendous.

Who has time for that?

Can't believe I'm saying this as I have a drawer full of expensive foundations. Last week I used L'Oréal infallible for a colour swatch. It's brilliant. No primer needed, pores don't show through

Which No7 foundation do you use out of interest?

@pussinboots61 i use lift and laminate if I want a light foundation and the hydraluminous moisturising one for a night out. Sometimes I change to stay perfect. I kind of alternate between the three because I can’t decide my favourite although I’ve not used primer for a while. I use the lift and laminate moisturiser underneath.