Now I work in a store that has (a lot) make up consultants., and yet I never seem happy with the products I get

[Saltire]

mainly foundation. I need make up, if I don't wear it I get told I look ill. I don't like really heavy foundations either, and always struggled to find one suitable (apart from virgin vie powder to cream stuff).
First up I asked the Max factor girl and she gave me a Miracle touch in Warm Almond and assured me (without actually trying any on me) that it was my shade. I have been wearing it but am very conscious of "lines" on my chin, and feel its tooo dark.
SO yesterday i got No7 girl to choose somehting for me, and she chose Intelligent balance mousse foundation in a shade called Blonde. but I'm not entirely convinced about it either, I can't see such obvious lines as I did with the Max factor stuff, but I'm still not sure.
I don't actually know what I want nayone to say, I jsut needed to rant about it I think

Do you have decent skin? Would a tinted moisturiser work, rather than actual foundation?

Hmmmm, sounds like you need to have an actual make-over rather than just being given/buying a product.

Can you get a few off them to do your make up for you? That way you will be able to see what's right for you.

No, my skin is bad. I cleanse and moisturise every day, yet it still looks bad, no spots, just really uneven skin tone.

I suppose a consultation would help, the No7 girl was really good, she took off some of the stuff I was wearing and applied 2or 3 different foundations to my chin and cheek to see which one suited, but she did say the lights in the store were really not good,a dn ti could look different in daylight or proper light. DH says its better than the Max factor one but what does he know

IMO No7 and Max Factor aren't good for foundations. Can you go to a bigger store and get some samples of some pricier foundations or tinted moisturisers? Depending on your budget there are some brilliant foundations out there. Sadly you do get what you pay for with foundation. If you can get a Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown consultant to match a foundation to your skin I'm sure you'll find the right one for you. If you don't have things like that near you can you get to a Lancome counter?

You need to wear it all day to see how it lasts and how it looks in different lights.

So try a new one each day.

We do have a Lancome counter, and Estee Lauder and Clinique and Ruby and Millie and Loreal. I think I may end up working my way round them all

You want Estee Lauder Double Wear light foundation - its the best I have ever tried, and it stays in place all day.

Message withdrawn

Of those, I reckon your best bet is Lancome or Estee Lauder. Don't bother with the others.

As Christiana says, mineral foundation is great (I use it). Lilylolo does little sample pots for only 99p so you can buy a few colours and work out what suits you before you buy a bigger pot (£12 I think). website is www.lilylolo.co.uk I think. Cheaper than bare escentuals (which is also v good)

I third the Lilylolo stuff, very good.

I use Max Factor colour adapt foundation in ivory, it gives really nice coverage.

I would persevere with Max Factor, IME of beauty counters they try to convince you to use darker colours than you need, I have always had to battle to get the right colour for my (very pale) skin tone.

MAC foundation is heavy but good.