Foundation makeup woes; do any of them work?! - YouLookFab Forum

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Foundation makeup woes; do any of them work?!

Oneirix

(website)

I've been wanting to put more effort into my look, and that includes makeup. But I'm having such a hard time finding a foundation that works for me! My face absorbs everything I put on it within minutes and most formulas (powders, liquids and tinted moisturizers) "sit" oddly on my skin instead of blending well.

I have combination skin where my skin is normal except for my oily forehead. I don't really want much coverage, just something that will even me out and keep my face from eating my blush! I've been had by so many SAs that seem to know what I want, only to take the product home and realize that it's not right at all.

I've seen you ladies and you all have gorgeous skin! So what's your secret?

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from Oneirix

julijuli

I love Jane Iredale's mineral makeup. I use the pressed powder version that you put on with a fluffy brush. I have combination skin and most powders don't work, and the liquids always seem too heavy. I love this makeup because it evens out my skin tone but itsn't heavy. Plus, it has SPF 30 and does not clog your pores.

cciele

Veteran

Have you tried a makeup primer? I haven't, but they're supposed to provide a base for foundation and makeup, help create a smooth "canvas", and help the makeup last longer.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

The one thing that really helped my make up routine was to leave extra time between moisturising and applying your base. If you do it too soon the make up is absorbed with the moisturiser. I try to leave at least 15 minutes.

Oneirix

(website)

Julijuli, do the Jane Iredale products have staying power? It sounds wonderful!

Cciele, I haven't actually tried primer...I'm beginning to wonder if I should just wear primer and put blush, etc. on top and not even bother with foundation? Has anyone tried this?

RoseandJoan, thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to keep that in mind in the mornings.

JaneF

Mineral makeup works for me, too. I hate the feeling of other foundations. The mineral makeup feels like nothing yet makes me look SO much better (almost embarrassing the difference it makes). I do use a primer before brushing on the minerals. I really like Benefit's It Girl.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I have combination skin too and sometimes my skin does seem to eat my make up.

I would recommend a primer too. Benefit does a good one.

I think that Roseandjoan's tip about waiting to put foundation on is a good tip. I put moisturiser and eye cream on after I get out of the shower, then I get dressed and then put on make up.

At the moment I am using Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturising Foundation. This has been a great find. I always get make up assistants to put on a full face of foundation for me and then I wait for a couple of hours before deciding to purchase to test the staying power.

Ele

(website)

Another vote for mineral makeup, though I use Bare Minerals ID. I love it, and even though my skin is pretty much "normal", it works equally well in the summer when I might be slightly oiler, and in the winter when I sometimes get flaky. One of the best things about it is that it does double-duty as a concealer, depending on the kind of brush you apply it with.

I've never used a primer so I can't comment on that, my foundation works fine without it. I do always wait for my sunscreen to dry though, otherwise I'll end up a big mess.

shiny

Veteran

Combo skin here, oily (frequently shiny) forehead, but dry in the T-zone. I don't wear blush.

I had zero luck with mineral make-up - sits oddly on my face. I did not like the feel either.

Primer is an excellent suggestion! I do have primer but I often forget to wear it. When I do, it does wonders.

This summer I have been using Almay Smart Shade, which is essentially a tinted moisturizer. It really does adjust to match the color of your face. I apply moisturizer (Lancome Re-energie) first. My forehead still shines, but it's going to shine no matter what. I can control the shine with powder but I don't like the way it feels. So I live with shine and call it "glow."

For fall/winter, or for when I want more coverage, I use True Match. It *can* sit oddly on your face if you pick the wrong shade, if you don't apply moisturizer first, and if you apply too much. You really only need a tiny amount, the moisturizer thins it out and helps it apply evenly. Primer works great for this too. But getting the right shade is critical. (I learned through trial and error I need the neutral.)

I really want to try Lancome foundation next. I am loving the moisturizer so I am thinking I may love the foundation too. The moisturizer I am using is for older skin though - actually for older skin than mine - it's intended for deep wrinkles, which I don't have, but wow my tiny wrinkles are almost gone now. This stuff works miracles, and feels so wonderful on the skin.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I also use a loose powder mineral foundation- with a primer underneath. Both are from Avon, and both are affordable and work well for me.

marianna

Veteran

I have acne skin and have found my miracle to make my skin look flawless yet not cakey: Prescriptions camouflage cream. I use that all over my face and put powder over it and it's perfection!

rute

Veteran

I've also combination skin and I'm 40, the best is that our skin won't have as many lines as the dry skins but it has lots of imperfections.
I use clinique 3 steps for combination skin and a foundation called Even Better Makeup SPF15 for Normal to Combination Oily Skin Types.

julijuli

I think the Jane Iredale products have staying power - they usually last through a work day. If you wanted to try them, I know most places have samples that you can take home and try.

Oneirix

(website)

JaneF & londonkiwi, it's interesting to me that you both suggest the Benefit primer...I was actually just eyeing that! I'm glad to hear it works; perhaps I'll give that a try. And good point about walking around before buying. I always tell myself I'm going to do that and then I get caught up and end up buying it anyway. XD I'll exercise more restraint in the future!

Ele, I used to use BM, but not only is it such a messy application I began to realize that it just looks odd on my skin. Maybe a primer would help?

Shiny, I know how you feel! I've essentially given up on my forehead. Now I have bangs. :p Thanks for the suggestions, I've heard good things about both of those brands and now I'm much more interested in giving them a try.

chewyspaghetti, Marianna and rute, thanks so much!! I'll have to do some research before I find the right foundation, but I feel like I have a lot of good places to start with all of your ideas! ^_^ I'm feeling a little more confident about this now. Thank you all!!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I've tried just about every foundation. From Maybelline to Giorgio Armani and everything in between. I would use GA all the time every time, but it's so expensive.
Ana turned me to Laura Mercier (I think she heard about it here?), and I've been using it ever since. The Flawless Face kit has to be the best combination of products EVER.
http://sephora.com/browse/prod.....yId=C12210
I use a combination of philosophy and Clinique skin care products. After I let my moisturizer set I use the Foundation Primer from the kit. After that sets, I use the tinted moisturizer all over. Then I follow up with foundation that I purchased separately
http://sephora.com/browse/prod.....oryId=5809
and cover the areas that are discolored/red like my nose, cheeks, and chin.
Then I use the concealer pot in the kit and use the creamy concealer and the camoflouge brush and dab concealer under my eyes and on my chin and around my nose. Then I take the smaller brush in the kit and dab it in the thicker concealer in the pot and use that for spots. I take a big fluffy brush and dab the transluscent powder all over my face to set.
This has been THE best foundation/concealer system for my skin to date. I'm converted and recommend it to anybody and everybody who will listen. My skin looks even and soft, and I couldnt' be happier. Check it out at Sephora and try it on!

Oneirix

(website)

Sarah, that sounds like so much work!! XD I actually have the LM concealer pot, but it always seems to crease for me. In fact, all under-eye concealers crease on me or look cakey and dry, so I don't even bother anymore.

I have heard fantastic things about LM products. I actually wanted to try their tinted moisturizer a lot, but every time I've gone into Sephora they've been out of my color according to the SAs. >_< But with such a strong vote of confidence I can't pass up the opportunity to try it now!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

The concealer pot only comes with the flawless face kit. The concealer that's on the right side of the pot is very creamy, and it's what I use for under my eyes. That shouldn't crease if you apply it with the brush...
And FWIW, it really doesn't take that long. Maybe 8 minutes from primer to mascara at the very most. I always have a full face of makeup on every day, though.

Dawn

(website)

i have combination skin as well- bane of my life! I have a giant oily chin, nose and forehead and horribly dry cheeks and skin around my nose. Oh and to top it off, I have sensitive skin as well.

I use mineral powder foundation- Urban Decay Surreal Skin to be more specific- and I think it's great for my skin as long as it is blended and buffed properly into my skin but all it takes is a few minutes to apply.

Anonymous

I just sat down at the Armani makeup counter last weekend and the SA applied the primer and the silky fondation. It felt and looked great. I didn't buy it but I will when I use what I already have from Lancome, and Clarins. The Armani foundation seems very thin, less cakey.

Oneirix

(website)

It's good to hear that the Urban Decay foundation works, Dawn! I was always kind of intrigued by it but I was unsure...I'll have to give it a go. I'm supremely lazy, so if it's easy application that's always a plus!

San that's I think 2 or 3 votes for GA cosmetics now. I wonder if I should go to the counter and give it a whirl?

I love hearing about makeup from all of you! It's kind of a fun tangent off of fashion. ^_^

Taffy

Another vote for Bare Minerals...my problem is always getting the color right, since I'm so fair. These powders give me even everything out without looking like a make up face, which is hard for me to avoid.

Chris

I have to use an oil free or mattifying primer under foundation or it just slides off.
Also, I can't use any primer - the popular Smashbox version is too silicone laden and makes the situation worse.
My current pick is Lorac Oil Free primer. I use her Breakthrough foundation or sometimes my Wet N Wild Tinted Moisturzer over that.
Then a light layer of translucent powder to set.

With oily skin it doe shelp to blot with blotting papers throughout day (or even those toilet seat covers from womens room - my secret - shhh).

Oneirix

(website)

Taffy, maybe I'll give BM another try...perhaps I was using the wrong color.

Chris, the toilet seat cover idea is genius! XD