Foundation drying like a patchy/pigmented mask?

[Wonderbug81]

I am mid 40s. I went for a make up appt at Charlotte Tilbury (Airbrush) today and also have started finding this with my own foundation (Illamasqua) but basically it looks great and smooth when first on but after an hour or so (once it's fully dried I guess) it goes a bit patchy. So I get a kind of patchwork of my skin and the foundation showing through.

I do wear a fair bit of foundation due to pores and uneven skin tone and need to wear some for a special occassion soon.

Is this likely a case of not having the exact right shade, bad application (make up artist used a sponge, i use fingers), the wrong foundation or poor prep?

I'm early 30's and started to experience this; I have always had skin on the dry side and so have always chosen moisturing foundations with a dewy finish, however I noticed everything started to look really bad with an awful patchy/cakey finish.

It was definitely a prep issue, I started using better moisturisers and a primer which I hadn't really bothered with before, and it has made such a difference to the point where I can use setting powder without it looking dry and cakey like it always did before.

I think what happened for me is I always dealt with rough feeling skin by exfoliating, and it did instantly make the skin feel smoother but the problem would be back very quickly, and only went away when I upped my moisturising game, so to me it does point to the retinol drying and overexfoliating your skin.

I am mid-60s and have given up trying to find a solution to this
I now use tinted moisturiser, BB cream or Trinny BFF cream instead with judicious use of concealer where needed

Also this is a classic sign that your skin is drinking up the moisture in your foundation and doing that more so in dryer patches

Oh interesting! Other responses say it's because I am adding too much moisture to my skin (using a night cream during the day). But hard to really say unless I do a side by side test I think. Will try a lighter moisturiser on half and continue usual moisturiser on the other (pausing retinol). Will also try adding a primer another day and see what's making the biggest difference.

Ok maybe should have said that. You can buy that really cheaply and it is not full coverage, is this why you’re shoving loads on?

I suspect the issue here is a cheap foundation. Not suitable for your skin type and putting far too much on, if that’s the case, then no matter how you prime and how great your skin, it will always look bad.

id move to a number 7 or something, there are good foundations at low price points and never use more than one pump.

I did say that.

Illamasqua Skin Base isn't a cheap foundation. It might be available cheaply now as it's been discontinued but it had a similar price point to Estee Lauder when I bought it. It's a very good foundation and only recently started having issues which is why I posted.

Yeah originally they positioned it high but it’s now about a tenner. Cheaper on some places.

I think the issue is tha foundation and how much you use.

It’s the retinol super drying your skin 3 times a week. You need a barrier repair cream -la Roche posay cicaplast b5 is my recommendation. Use this before putting retinol on. Dont put retinol on bare skin.

make sure you’re using a primer -elf blue pump bottle is great don’t know what it’s called. Pump foundation onto the back of your hand for a more even over all coverage and ensure sponge is damp.

Thank you, I always put hylauronic serum on before the retinol and it's the lowest level of retinol (Inkey List starter retinol), followed by night cream. Skin doesn't feel dry or tight but perhaps it is a little.

I do think the primer will help though. And I've been using fingers (which was always fine before) but going to try a sponge.

Mine does that when my skin is dry or when my moisturiser and foundation are opposite based (so water based moisturiser + oil based foundation and vice versa).

How long ago did you buy it? Foundation expires after 18 months and degrades

I’m mid forties and struggle to find a foundation now. I tend to stick to tinted serums

Also retinol makes it worse for and didn’t suit my skin at all. I opt for a plant based equivalent

Hyrolonic Acid dries me out something terrible,I've had to stop using it as it has the opposite effect on my skin than it's designed for.

Apply with a small amount of serum mixed in using a buffer brush.

I can't use hyaluronic acid as it compeltely dries my skin out. I thought it was just me!

I think it works for some people but you need to apply it to wet skin. It's useless on my skin whatever way I use it.

If budget isn’t an issue try Victoria Beckham the drops. It’s outstanding. But very pricey,

this is a really good video. In-depth if you can bear it. Skip through if it is too long for you but it is really useful about all elements of the process

That's a fair point. It was 16 months ago although the fact that I had the same issue with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush in store suggests it's not necessarily old foundation.

I had no idea it could do this! I've been using it for moisture purposes!

They last about 12 months once open. I think it’s time for a new one. And use sparingly. One pump on a damp beautify blender, dot over face and blend in.

To be honest I've pared back my routine to Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion which is fantastic and you get a huge pump bottle ( look on Vinted,that's where I get mine from) Occasionally I use Estée Lauder ANR if I need an extra boost.