Foundation for someone who hates the feeling of foundation?!?

[JacknDiane]

I really need to start wearing some make up again, im pale and washed out looking. I get asked a lot if im tired or not feeling well. Late 50s. I work in a customer service role and want to try to look at bit better.
But apart from a bit of moisturiser I hate feeling anything on my face. Hate applying sunscreen in summer, it absolutely gives me the ick.
I have went to john Lewis and tried a couple of make overs at the beauty counters but really didn't like the feel of anything on my face, although I explained what I wanted beforehand.
So im trying to find something myself.
Can anyone help?

Watching with interest as I hate foundation. It feels awful and often looks fake and chalky.

I dont like the tinted moisturiser i have tried, even they were too thick. I want something that's really think feeling and sinks in fast and doesn't make your face feel claggy.

Thin feeling

I am the same!

I use a gradual fake tan instead. Then a bit of concealer where I need it, and then a bit of powder.

I hate the feel of heavy make up.

That said I do have a bottle of double wear in my make up drawer for big occasions, but not for work or anything.

I like the ordinary serum foundation and just saw it’s back in stock. (I think it runs quite pale). Doesn’t cost a fortune if you don’t get on with it, either. Just off to buy some more for myself…

What about a bb or cc cream? You use instead of moisturiser as it moisturises and gives a bit of coverage.
i like the Ebrorian range.

I tend to stick with one foundation, which I find quite light anyway, but if my skin is particularly dry or I want an even lighter coverage I add a drop of almond oil to it. The foundation feels more like a moisturiser then and is much smoother in application. I always had combination skin until I hit 50, now it’s usually dry and patchy. The almond oil really helps to alleviate that but it also doesn’t feel like I’m wearing foundation, yet I still get some coverage.

I usually use hourglass ambient light powder over the top (not a powder fan but omg this stuff is amazing, it really makes my older skin glow!) but you don’t need to use powder at all.

Veive is nice and light, was recommended to me by a make up artist

Nars tinted moisturiser

I'm the same. As soon as I'm home I need to wash my face but I can really tolerate the L'Oréal True Match Serum foundation. Comes in a dropper bottle and not to be confused with just the True Match foundation.

The thing is, you're always going to feel foundation or tinted moisturiser once it's just been applied. I can feel even my primer once I.Ve put it on.

You do need to wait some time.Eventually, you won't feel it any more once it dries.

Chanel Ultra Velvet is nice and light. Unless you have exceptional skin , I really think most women benefit from a bit of foundation and concealer as we age.

The new Victoria Beckham one is meant to be fabulous but the price is nuts

Second L’Oréal serum foundation, it’s very very light weight and doesn’t feel like I have anything on my skin and then I use a tiny bit of concealer under eye and any wear else I need it

I'm currently putting on my slap and found a bottle of L'Oreal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum I didn't know I had!

I have used Clinique Redness Solutions for years. I think it's quite light but hard to say as I am so used to wearing it.

And I found Elemis Super food Glow Priming Moisturiser. I could get away with that on its own.

I use Clinique double powder. I know you’re not supposed to use powder after 40 or something, but it’s quite light, not cakey at all, and gives good coverage without feeling heavy or claggy.

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. Not heavy but just brightens up the face a bit. I've been using it for years, I love it.

https://uk.inikaorganic.com/products/baked-mineral-foundation

This!! Use a nice primer, and then this on top. Feels like you aren’t wearing anything.

I'm not someone who wears foundation (well, any makeup at all) unless I've got an event or something, but I do use trinny london bff spf 30 cream skin perfector occasionally and I quite like it (sorry tried to link but i get errors) . It goes on white and then sort of changes tone to your skin (you do need to choose a shade closet to your skin - but then it sort of adjusts) It evens everything out a bit whilst not being heavy at all which suits me. I'm 51. I use a flat top brush to apply it as I dont like the feel of foundation on my fingers and I find that works pretty well. I use it sparingly. At beauty counters they do tend to load stuff on and I don't feel like there's any need.

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is very light. If something is too heavy have you tried adding some to your moisturiser and applying as these makes is less heavy and cakey.

the Laura Geller baked foundation may work, it’s a foundation baked into a powder, goes on very light but is buildable and designed for mature skin.

I don’t like the feeling of stuff on my face either and am quite picky about how something feels. There’s no substitution for trotting round and trying them all for yourself, but lately I flit between -

Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation - this is nice and light, good for summer. I really don’t like Double Wear as it sort of sits on your skin with a sticky feeling.

or

Chanel Ultra le Teint Fluide - when I need a bit more coverage. Prefer this in the winter. It can feel a little heavy going on, but it sort of melts in, lovely.

I like the feeling of the L’Oréal Serum one, tried that in the past. I just find it too slippy and not as blendable as the more expensive brands. Might be a good budget option to try though.

I think your moisturiser and the combo of that with your foundation really matters too, and letting your moisturiser soak in for at least 5 mins before you put foundation on. Foundation feels all wrong without moisturiser.

Whatever combo you pick is going to be unique to you and your skin.

Thank you. Lots of really great suggestions here. I've never heard of serum foundation, I'm going to boots today so will check out all these suggestions.

Sculpted by Aimee Hydratint is really light and pleasant to use. Gives a lovely finish too.