Visible foundation on the face - YouLookFab Forum

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Visible foundation on the face

Raisin

Veteran

I have not worn foundation in quite some time, but I do occasionally wear tinted moisturizer to even things out. I'm not debating whether one should wear foundation vs tinted moisturizer vs no makeup, to each their own and I completely understand if one feels better wearing a certain amount of makeup. What I don't get is, how is foundation *supposed* to look? It seems to me that even when it is applied really well, and blended, and the shade is just right, it will still be visible on the skin. It looks good from a certain distance, but once you are within 2-3ft of someone it's obvious that there is foundation on the face. Just wondering, is this because it's applied wrong, or is there no way around it? I mean, it is like paint on the face, so will it always be somewhat noticeable within a close distance? I find that when I'm close to someone wearing it, I have a hard time not staring at it. I've even seen it applied by the professionals and it doesn't matter who applies it, up close it will be visible. So is that just the trade-off with wearing it, and do you mind that trade off?

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33 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear either foundation or tinted moisturizer because I haven't found one yet that is unscented and the dozens I have purchased all have had enough scent to make my eyes water. I know a few women who wear foundation daily and it is either because they believe it looks better or have an issue with their skin. I personally prefer that my skin not have a matte finish and that it look more natural so I would prefer something very light.

Once a month a friend and I go for facials and the esthetician will put make-up on us. It is interesting that my friend looks best in a matte finish and I look better in the dewier (not sure the right word for slight sheen) finish. I am not sure why but it is probably due to our face shapes. My face is more oval and my features don't stand out much and my friend has a heart shaped face and her cheeks and jawline are more angular. Perhaps the matte finish evens her out and the bit of sheen adds detail to my face.

Interesting question.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I really don't think it should be that apparent!

I wear tinted moisturizer (Laura Mercier) because I hate that cakey look on the face -- I like a little bit of coverage to even out my skin tone, but I do not like feeling like I'm wearing a mask.

Just read dianthus's remarks and it's interesting about the finish. I prefer a slight matte finish to my makeup because my skin tends to go oily/shiny in our humid weather. I have seen way too many pictures of me with a shiny nose and forehead. Blech.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would love to skip the foundation, but I have hyperpigmentation from the sun, pregnancy, scars you name it and I prefer my skin with foundation, even if it is apparent, than without it. I have done a lot of experimenting to find the most natural shade and coverage, but I won't leave home without it.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I find powder or concealer quite visible.

I use a very light fluid foundation with a dewy finish, I usually apply it to the t-zone only. I do not notice it on the skin from close up but granted I do not have the best eyesight.

Raisin

Veteran

That's interesting about the finish Dianthus. I never thought of that. I think when I did wear foundation I would have to set it with powder, and that was probably what made it look cakey. But I hate that it comes off on shirts and stuff, so it seemed like setting it was necessary.

Janet, I tried Laura Mercier before and I love most of her makeup but the tinted moisturizer just did not look right on me! Lol! Must have been the finish!

Shevia, I totally understand. I used to prefer my skin with it too, but since my whole body has freckles, not just my face, I realized it looks pretty dumb to cover them. Unless I want to do body foundation! Haha!

Raisin

Veteran

Rose and Joan, I tink you're so right about the powder. I have yet to find a non visible concealer, and it is something I wear much more regularly. There is just no recovering from lost sleep with a baby!

Anonymous

I had to use foundation for many years, to "attempt" to cover up my sad breakouts and yes, I always felt caked on. I am a firm believer in skipping it, if you don't need it.

Anonymous

I have the same problem as dianthus with the smell! I can't stand it. I was thinking of looking into a BB cream or something.

I have freckles too and I don't mind if they show. Plus I have the extra weird problem that most foundation/moisturisers kind of float on my skin and then peel off in little shreds if I rub my face. It is bizarre and has happened with about 10-15 different brands/kinds. So I mostly just wear a very light moisturiser/sunscreen that kind of absorbs into my skin (best one I have found so far).

kellygirl

Veteran

DD and I were just discussing this. I prefer a natural look. I use foundation to even out my skin tone and I don't mind my freckles showing through. I have friends who prefer more coverage and I think that looks fine too--it just looks more "made up" to me. I don't mind the "visibility" of it--seems like a good trade off for me

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I prefer to NOT see any sign of foundation. I wear a tinted moisturizer and no powder because I love shiny skin! It looks healthy, like an apple.

Kalli

I also prefer NOT to see any sign of foundation on the face. To me it means that you probably have applied it wrong. A tinted moisturizer works well for a lot of people but if you need more coverage, there isn't anything wrong with mixing your foundation with moisturizer to make it more coverage than a tinted moisturizer. I believe the best way to put on foundation is to use a light hand and to keep blending. It's also key to find the right color and you will most likely have to mix shades.

I generally keep blending and feathering until I can't see it on my face from 2-3 ft away.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

This is another one of the reasons why I hardly ever wear foundation or anything like it. I've never quite found the trick to making it invisible and I always feel like it looks flaky and creased, so I usually end up taking it right back off again. It's not important enough to me to bother with trying to find the perfect one.

I do like mineral powder, though. Mom took me to the bare minerals counter a while ago and bought me one of the starter kits, and I usually use it whenever I want to wear makeup. So far it's been the best at being non-obvious and not feeling disgustingly greasy on my face.

CK

I have a difficult time with liquid foundation. I have yet to find one that's blends in invisibly. I use a tinted moisturizer, but sometimes I have redness which requires more coverage. I started using Bare Minerals and much prefer that to liquids. It takes away my redness, but you can still see my freckles. It's the kind of thing where you can build up as much coverage as you want, and I put on just enough to even out my skin.

lynne

Veteran

If you can see foundation from 2 feet away, you're wearing the wrong foundation. There are so many options out there, but it does take some experimentation. When I worked, I wore foundation every day, but it didn't look like there was anything on my face. It takes a combination of the right formulation, the right color, and the right application.

Echo

Veteran

I use a tinted moisturizer, which I find is light coverage and just enough to even out my skin. I also use a little bit of powder because while I agree that dewy skin is beautiful, my skin could be a voting member of OPEC. So with powder I do not acheive a matte finish, but instead have shine comparable to a person with more normal skin.

There is an old saying that it takes a LOT of makeup to look like you are wearing no makeup, and that is often true. Well-applied foundation and makeup is not immeditately apparent. If it is, then it is either poorly matched to the skin colour, improperly blended or poorly applied (or all of the above).

Louise

Veteran

I prefer not to see foundation but i dont know if that is truely possible? Was make up originally developed for stage? Which could then explain why it always looks better from a distance.

Echo has it spot on why I've always disliked wearing foundation. You then need loads of other make up so you have some features. I've discovered mineral powder foundation which I love, it's the first make up product I've used a whole tub and repurchased. I have a couple of spots of hyper pigmentation and some enlarged pores and mineral foundation evens them out without hiding them or my features. My face just looks a little more even x

cciele

Veteran

I've had makeup artists tell me it's normal to have visible foundation, but it tends to blend into the face the longer you wear it. Since then, I've gotten into mineral powder foundation (like many of you!) and it's wonderful -- not really visible, evens out skin tone, feels weightless. I use Jane Iredale PurePressed base.

Raisin

Veteran

I tried the bare minerals for a while, and liked that it could be sheer coverage. DH hated it though because there was always a light dust of powder on the bathroom counter and the it seemed like everything I touched got makeup on it. So I abandoned the powder makeup. I just couldn't find anything that looked natural, did not cause a mess, and still allowed me to look normal, so that's most of the reason I gave up. For those of you that don't wear makeup, do you find your skin improved? I've been wearing very minimal makeup the past 6 months and also cleaning and moisturizing well, and my skin is better.

Atlantia

Veteran

This is a great thread!
So many people wear the wrong shade of foundation, or wear too much on areas that don't need it. It is difficult to find the right shade, but in my opinion that is the most important way to make sure it doesn't show.
I like BB right now, with concealer over my spots. I don't cover my dark circles. I call it Twilight-chic and let it go.

Kalli

I was a big fan of wearing no makeup at all, but curse my inherited dark circles. Anyhow, as we age our skin doesn't have the youthful even glow we used to so I feel the makeup makes me feel polished and perfect for work. Because I used to wear no makeup I would take care of my skin extremely well and that still is true even though I wear a little. However, I think that it is human nature to be lazy so individuals like one of my friends doesn't worry about her skin so much because the makeup just covers everything up. I'm still of the philosophy that makeup is an enhancer and does not take the place of good skincare.

Parsley

Veteran

If foundation is well applied it really should not be visible unless you're VERY close. Your skin should just look a little more even-toned. If it looks like paint on the face you're using the wrong color or applying it way too heavily.

I have freckles and prefer the more natural look of tinted moisturizer for every day, but I do wear foundation for special occasions. I apply it lightly with a foundation brush and blend like crazy.

My favorite new discovery is Nars tinted moisturizer because it's sort of halfway between a tinted moisturizer and a regular foundation, and has a nice dewy finish. I read somewhere that no one will ever compliment you by saying, "Oh, Marcy, you look so matte!"
What you want to hear is rather that you're glowing, so that's what I aim for, as Angie has said.

I do wear a touch of concealer for under-eye shadows, but it should not be evident, either, IMO.

CK

For undereye circles I use IT cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye and apply it with a concealer brush. I highly recommend it - it's the best concealer I've used, and I've tried a lot. It's pricey, but a little goes a long way. I got mine at the QVC website.

DonnaF

Veteran

Goss Makeup Artist says foundation should match the chest; otherwise your face will be a lot redder or lighter and simply look weird like it belongs to someone else's body. This is counter to what most makeup companies say. My chest is almost always covered, so I try to match my neck which happens to be more yellow gold than my face. This usually means a lighter color on my upper cheeks and a bronzer in the hollows and near my neck.

Anonymous

I went to great lengths to find a foundation color that exactly matches my skin and does not make me look like I'm wearing any makeup. I highly recommend mineral makeup. The brand I use is Jane Iredale.

jayne

Veteran

I stopped wearing foundation 20 years ago when I left the US. It has been generally very uncommon here in scandanavia. the only people I see with it on are the teenagers actually. I know it might be getting more popular, especially BB cream, but it is very rare among women my age (or they are expert at it and I cannot see it)

BUt I do wear concealer for the under eye circles about every other day. Depending on how visible they are. My 11 year old complains though that it is obvious and prefers me without. Funny, I thought it was invisible. I think it is easier to see the foundation on others than when you look in the mirror, which explains why many keep doing the caked look. They cannot see the lines at the chin and so on.

I read a few of you use the foundation to hide skin problems. But in general, for those without things to hide, why are we wearing it? Just curious? Since I moved and see a different way, I wonder where these habits come from and why they persist.

Deborah

Veteran

I wear foundation every day. I use a mineral foundation and I love it. I "think" it looks very natural and evens out my skin tone. It also acts as protection from the sun which is important to me. Days at home I might use BB cream or tinted moisturizer but I prefer the feel of the powder.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

I used to wear foundation almost everyday and top it with powder to avoid the oily look by midday, but I have since discovered BB cream and I do love it! I like the dewy look, and the lightness of it. Just enough to even things out. I save the foundation for occasions where I want to look "made up".

Astrid

Veteran

I never wear foundation. I experimented a bit with it a few years ago, but I didn't like the feel and look of it. I think foundation is visible in most cases and I don't like the look of it. Jayne mentioned how few women in Scandinavia wear foundation and I do think this is true for Germany as well, at least in my vicinity. As for the skin being better without it, I think that's true. True for most stuff women are slathering on their skin everyday. Skin is a very sensitive and complex organ that gets disturbed by all the chemicals. You want to do something good and use one product. That leads to a reaction you try to get under control using another one - and so on.
I'm down to water, soap and oil cleansing myself. And sunscreen in summer. I do have neurodermatitis that used to be a great problem. I was always using creams and stuff to get a grip on my skin problems. Then I had treatment at a health-care facility and the doctor said to stop with everything at once. My skin was very bad for a few weeks, but then it got so much better. The whole neurodermatitis got better, I only have a few symptoms now when I'm under stress.

harmonica

Veteran

i like that it doesn't show and hopefully I manage to do that.

the difficult thing here is that if people wear foundation and it doesn't show - you won't notice - and hence, you can't tell (of course). you only notice the ones with cakey appearance. to be sure, one could ask a friend who you might think not wear any foundation

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