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Original poster

Oh stylish ones - tell me the perfect foundation to buy...

62 replies

FriarKewcumber · 26/02/2009 12:03

I need to start wearing makeup to work (at least a little) if I move to new job. But can;t really be arsed.

Need a light foundation or tinted moisturiser with light to average coverage
Age 44
Skin reasonably good nick, inclined to be on the dry side typical english rose kind of coloring with faded freckles.
Easy to put on
I want to look slightly dewey (is that a word?)!

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 26/02/2009 12:05

how much do you want to spend?

Chantecaille do excellent tinted mouisterisers

Lancome's is good and No 7 too

do you have a SpaceNK near you - they have a good range of products and will let you try on loads until you get to one you like

Original poster
FriarKewcumber · 26/02/2009 12:09

are tinted moisturisers any good though, on the rare occasion I've tried them, I don't think I look any better they just seem see through.

Am a total cheapskate - I tried some no7 ones yesterday and they seemed very think and quite yellow toned - I'm defintiely pale pink!

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 26/02/2009 12:11

i always wear tinted mouisteriser in the summer - they aren't heavy coverage but help smooth things (i use a bit of powder/bronzer to finish it off)

i would look at Bourgois - they are mid priced and excellently pigmented IME

also, Rimmel do good foundations so may be worth looking at their range

clinique has never agreed with me, but lots of people like their range

Original poster
FriarKewcumber · 26/02/2009 12:12

oh lordy its such a minefield. I'm such a scruffy git.

OP posts:
AccidentalMum · 26/02/2009 12:16

Oooh, I just stole Body Shop Mineral Foundation (like a loose powder that turns into foundation on) from my stylish sister and it is lush. I assume it is the palest. No7 no good for our colouring, exept the one that changes colour and that is gloopy and heavy. I think you need blusher if you have foundation on or you go flat, so that would be two products and two fat brushes.

brimfull · 26/02/2009 12:17

chanel vital lumiere
or bobbi brown

go to bobbi brown counter and surrender yourself

Original poster
FriarKewcumber · 26/02/2009 12:27

ooh am liking the idea of body shop powder sounds easy to put on - doesn;t it just look like pwder? I don;t want to look flour-y!

Hmmm, woner where nearest bobbi borwn counter is.

OP posts:
AccidentalMum · 26/02/2009 12:30

You don't look powdery, just very groomed and tidy, quite a jump from none at all. My make up artist sister (I have lots, I am second scruffiest ) says Chanel is the best.

brimfull · 26/02/2009 13:18

powder no good if you have any wrinkles though
ime only good for very young skin

bobbi brown in john lewis

squeaver · 26/02/2009 13:21

You have skin like mine.

Chanel Vitalumiere. You will never look back.

AccidentalMum · 26/02/2009 13:21

sorry, should clarify, Chanel is the best foundation, not necessarily mineral one though.

stepfordwife · 26/02/2009 13:22

there's a bobbi brown counter at house of fraser in richmond, kew

Original poster
FriarKewcumber · 26/02/2009 14:07

"not necessarily mineral one" ummm, thanks.

OP posts:
nailpolish · 26/02/2009 14:08

chanel vitalumiere

you will be in love with this - believe me

or if ou insist on a tinted moisturiser - clarins do a nice one

Tillyscoutsmum · 26/02/2009 14:12

I've recently bought a Rimmel one which is supposed to blend to your skin tone (or some such nonsense) and I'm actually quite happy with it. I don't really wear foundation much and its quite light but a bit more coverage than tinted moisturiser iyswim

Have tried the mineral ones (mineral are all powder I believe) and they always look too caked on for me and not dewey enough

I would also really recommend a decent primer (it goes on on top of moisturiser and before foundation) and it just makes the foundation sit nicely on your skin without sinking in to any wrinkles. It also helps with the "dewey" look. Smashbox photo finish one is great (got it from a seller on ebay - quite expensive but you don't need much)

lulabellarama · 26/02/2009 14:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

scifinerd · 26/02/2009 14:14

I would recommend lancome every time, its great

GetOrfMoiLand · 26/02/2009 14:25

Depends on your budget.

If you want to spend about £25 - £30, Chanel Vitalumiere or Estee Lauder Double Wear Light.

If you want to spend less than a tenner, Rimmel Recover (in beige and pink bottle) is excellent. The colour is really good for a cheap foundation.

Avoid cheapo mineral foundation e.g. Loreal as it is poor quality imo.

Also, some people think Maybelline Mousse but I think it is quite orange and a spooky texture.

Put it on with a brush - it makes a huge difference

donnie · 26/02/2009 14:28

another vote for Chanel Vitalumiere - expensive but lovely.

chocolatedot · 26/02/2009 14:32

Laura Mercier and apply with a sponge - makes it so much easier and quicker.

heavenstobetsy · 26/02/2009 14:36

Definitely Laura Mercier - it is expensive but its is really good and lasts for ages. Well worth the cost

WouldYouCouldYouWithAGoat · 26/02/2009 14:39

another vote for chanel vitalumiere , and invest in a brush so you use less. lasts for ages.

WouldYouCouldYouWithAGoat · 26/02/2009 14:40

and believe me no one over the age of 35 can look dewy wearing mineral makeup

Original poster
FriarKewcumber · 26/02/2009 14:54

nooooo.... too much choice, too much choice

OP posts:
chocolatedot · 26/02/2009 15:03

Well I am 44, with good skin and faded freckles and went to SpaceNK for advice. Since discovering Laura Mercier I haven't looked back. I love its' dewy effect and also love the fact that its buildable and that it covers my broken veins around my nose (yup, too much red wine). The only downside is that I love the effect so much that I wear it 7 days a week (unthinkable previously). I would also advise using primer first and it really does seem to make a difference.