No foundation looks good on my 43 year old skin

[SallyRabbit]

Help me oh wiser make-up fans.

I’m 43, not too wrinkled or fine-lined yet. I use renew and me plus a night and morning moisturiser. I wear sun screen every day.

In the last couple of years no foundation has looked good on me. I’ve tried expensive brands, brands that claim to be good for mature skin, primer, every brand that’s ever advertised on facebook.

They all look scaly, flaky and sit in my pores, or highlight the fine lines that I DO have.

I see women in their 40s and 50s with amazing make up so it must be possible! What can I do to find a foundation that works with my non-20-year-old skin.

Thanks!
Sally

I had this problem and have been through so many foundations at vast expense. I recommend The ordinary serum foundation sparingly. It looks like my skin but better. And it is cheap.

I am mid 40s and use NYX Buttermelt Glaze. It’s cheap and does a much better job than pricier bases I have used: dewy, moisturising, blends with my skin tone well. Don’t be fooled by the youth-skewing branding - it’s great on slightly more mature skin.

Have you tried Dior Forever Skin foundation? I find it excellent and it doesn’t settle in fine lines or look cakey.

I had that problem in my late 30’s, suddenly my go to looked awful. I’ve found dream matte mousse and a proper beauty blender work for me. Less is more in my case.

Get yourself a good primer. It can make all the difference. I love the Estée Lauder pore primer or on a budget the elf ones pretty good. I use a mix of nars skin tint, sculpted by Aimee tinted moisturiser then Estée Lauder double wear for a night time look.

L'oreal serum foundation. Applied with a big brush. I'm 50 and I get a lot of compliments on my skin. Less is defo more, and aiming for an even glow rather than a matt full coverage is much more flattering IMO. Using some Tilbury miracle blur as a layer increases coverage and glow too.

Similar here but I’m a couple of years older than you. I have a nars tinted moisturiser and also pixi skin tint. I don’t need a lot of coverage and find these the right ‘heaviness’.

Swinging by with my usual recommendation for the L’Oreal Nude Plumping Tinted Serum stuff.

Really lightweight ‘almost foundation’ with good coverage and lasts all day for me, over nothing but a basic moisturiser. I’m mid 50s and it’s the only one I’ll ever buy now.

I put it on with a flat top brush but my mum (80) uses her fingers and it’s fab either way.

https://www.boots.com/loreal-paris-true-match-nude-plumping-tinted-serum-1percent--hyaluronic-acid-10297635?traffic=paid.shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19973637790&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwRPhWxXWLlx9Y4EZIxJV-8zT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr7GlxK2QkwMVm5ZQBh27lSNFEAQYAiABEgKyW_D_BwE

Only thing that works for me is Clinique tinted foundation- you add it to your own moisturiser

No7 city lights tinted moisturiser is quite good. Or their bb cream in the pink tube gives a little more coverage. Cakey and made up isn’t a great look in your 40s as any fine lines and imperfections will show. If the rest of your make up is nice and you use a decent power you should look good.

I don’t like tinted moisturisers as I think it’s too light a coverage. I use no7 essentially natural, it’s a light coverage but also buildable. I find it doesn’t sit in any fine lines and doesn’t feel heavy, but I still look done

I don’t really use a foundation anymore apart from an old Chanel one. My hairdresser uses 2 L’Oréal foundations and her skin looks great.

Buy these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eyebrow-Portable-Exfoliating-Dermaplaning-Precision/dp/B0CHRSBYJH/ref=ascdfB0CHRSBYJH?mcid=85be327ff5473e17a41029b9ed07370e&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697300256563&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4730662082792760283&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9193121&hvtargid=pla-2549913167272&psc=1&hvocijid=4730662082792760283-B0CHRSBYJH-&hvexpln=0&gadsource=1

Shave your face (i know)
Moisturise at night, primer in the AM.

Now all foundation looks normal again....

I use a MAC sheer foundation over bobbi Brown primer

Another vote for Erborian CC cream, it gives fantastic coverage and doesn’t cake or gather. I’m 45.

I am much older than you,I use Chanel No.1 skin enhancer,there are 3 shades,I have used the light and medium one and like them both.The bottle lasts ages,you only need to use a little bit.

@SallyRabbit Yes the NARS one gives a smooth ‘finished ‘ look - get a creamy concealer if needed for blemishes.
i used the No7 tinted moisuriser but the coverage wasn’t enough for me.

May be moisturiser piling (personally I’ve found using absolutely loads of cheap moisturiser, boots cucumber one, improves the look) a strong glycolic acid can usually sort out flaking.

Lumene Instant Glow Beauty Serum is fabulous.

I wear No 7 photo finish foundation almost as a concealer because it blends in with my skin so well and that’s it.

I have the same problem and I switch to fake tan - the gradual daily type. I sometimes put a touch of foundation on my cheeks to tone down any red but not on chin as it seems to show up hairs and pores.

I agree! I’m 43 (almost 44) and nothing else comes close. I’ve also used the no7 moisturiser for years and recently tried the expensive elimis collagen one… so disappointed. I’m back to no7 and sticking to it.

I’ll add no7 will give you sample pots to try a few different ones (dd has allergies and was able to test out three different no7 foundations).

I’ve just picked up the new clarins double serum foundation - I’m 41 and skin is pretty decent so I’m hoping for a bit of coverage with a glow! Apparently you can buy samples of shades on their website but I got colour matched

I like eborian cc for the feel and finish but the shades are awful for me. The lightest one is so orangey my DH questioned whether my liver was ok!

What's your SPF? I find that lots of SPF causes make up to sit badly.

I use this too. Good coverage and still dewy.

I sometimes use Bodyshop all-in-one base on my nose and cheeks (on top of the Revolution) if I think I’ll get a bit warm!