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 don’t use separate SPF, my moisturiser and CC both have SPF in and that’s enough for me

Erborian CC is not orange on me , I’m pale and neutral/cool so anything at all orange looks very obvious and awful on me. The Clair shade works for me, is that the one you have tried? def not orange… They do an even lighter one Porcelain now.

I can only conclude it’s your SPF turning it orange??

Lisa Eldridge Skin Enhancing Tint. I’m also early 40s and this is great, working on your skin will also me an enormous difference though. I finally got on top of mine this year and everything just looks so much better.

I love Bare Minerals

Have a look at Ilia and Studio 10. Fabulous products

I like the Ordinary Serum foundation, it gives more coverage than a tinted moisturiser but still looks natural. I mix it with a drop of a priming fluid from the same brand and it just glides on. For a more formal foundation look I use Clinique Even Better Clinical. I don’t remember what’s clinical about it but it doesn’t sit in dry lines or creases the way most foundation does on me.

Honestly, no7 has been a revelation for me. I too won't use anything else now foundation wise. Their lipstick pigment is also fabulous.

Agree No7 Hydra-Luminous is fab

I’m 43 and found I needed to switch to a lighter coverage and a dewier finish foundation to look good. My skincare is excellent (if I do say so myself) and I have Botox) but my usual matte full coverage foundation just looked awful from about 40 onwards.
I have loads of foundations in the go and I wear them all pretty often
Laura Mercier real flawless
haus labs
dycpher - this one was bought on a whim but is a firm favourite
Madara cosmetics
iconic London

I switched from Estée Lauder double wear which was like wearing a mask!
I also now apply with a beauty blender and layer with cream bronzers and blush for a more natural finish.
I do set with minimal powder and use a setting spray for make up that lasts all day, stays where it’s meant to and doesn’t look cakey or patchy

I struggled to find a non orangey tinted moisturiser/BB cream until I tried Laura Mercier, which comes in loads of different shades, including some pale enough for me.

I don’t want to look better than no make up, I ideally want to look well made up, if you know what I mean!

Like you obviously have a lot of foundation on?
Wouldn't eye make up, blusher and lipstick do that for you?

I won’t use anything other than no7 for my foundation either. The match is fantastic, I actually had them colour match me and it turns out I was already using the right shade anyway (cool ivory)

I agree switching to dewy finish helped me, matte was sitting in my fine lines and just didn’t look right, I looked older ?! I also use a beauty blender and setting spray, I’m 36 so don’t have loads of lines but any I do have the matte was sitting in and showing up.

Yes I've tried claire and porcelain. Does it whatever I have underneath. It's just not quite pale enough!

I had the same problem. I make my own tinted moisturiser by dabbing the moisturiser and foundation on together and mixing them on my face. Unconventional but I haven’t found a better ready made product. You can vary the coverage depending on how you feel and how your skin is on that day.

i’m a big fan of Nars Sheer Glow foundation, though some shades can be harder to find. Worn over Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - it’s not as good as it was but still works well for me when foundation is applied straight away on top. Finish with Mac setting spray which has finally replaced Urban Decay’s as my favourite.

Armani luminous silk foundation over primer.I dont moisturise before I do my make up as it doesn't sit right on my skin.

No primer. Good moisturiser (I use avene) then use Dior forever skin glow foundation which they make in so many shades. Only a tiny bit each day I only have to buy two a year. Only one I can get away with. Finish with Dior bronzer which is lightweight and natural. I am pale and have dry skin with plenty of lines (am nearly 50) and this never looks ‘caked’ and gives a nice even cover and healthy glow. Only one I’ve found after years of testing so worth the initial costs.

I use NARS tinted moisturiser and IT cosmetics cc cream.

I was having the same problem as you and solved it by:

1. using way less product - as little as possible and building up if needed.
2. pressing it into my skin rather than rubbing over the surface.

Beauty Pie Super Lumnious Tinted glow serum is what you need. Same age as you and I receive compliments on my skin. Looks fresh and dewy

Thank you so much everyone for your excellent advice. I’ve started testing some of the recommended products and I definitely see that less IS more with over-40s skin, so I am already feeling better and better made up.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to share their wisdom x