Thread: Foundations-help?

I'm disappointed in me for never bothering with makeup on a day to day basis. It was fine when I was 20 but now my skin is far from perfect, wrinkles are leaving their marks, and dark circles abound.

One reason I don't do makeup on a daily basis is that most foundations either leave me with an oily sheen, cause breakouts, or make my wrinkles deeper.

Help! What is a GOOD not too heavy foundation for early 30s skin???
What's a good daily easy eyeshadow?
And how about a good mild cleanser with no salicylic acid that wil help keep my huge pores clear???

And these need to be drugstore finds... :-)

I´m sure Azhia has some good suggestions,just wanted to put in my 2 ören(swedish cents)

1.Skin types has little to do with age,irritating/clogging formulas(skincare/foundations)canl cause problems that your skin may not have naturally.
Try some samples of foundation in a week before you buy.

I´m between 30 and 40 with dry but breakout prone skin and love:
All Bases Covered Foundation SPF 15 with Titanium Dioxide - Complexion: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics



2.Do you mean an eyeshadow design or good eyeshadows?
I like Milanis neutral shades for everyday,they stay put.
(Dirt cheap!)

3.Have you tried AHA:s?

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

I´m sure Azhia has some good suggestions,just wanted to put in my 2 ören(swedish cents)

1.Skin types has little to do with age,irritating/clogging formulas(skincare/foundations)canl cause problems that your skin may not have naturally.
Try some samples of foundation in a week before you buy.

I´m between 30 and 40 with dry but breakout prone skin and love:
All Bases Covered Foundation SPF 15 with Titanium Dioxide - Complexion: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics



2.Do you mean an eyeshadow design or good eyeshadows?
I like Milanis neutral shades for everyday,they stay put.
(Dirt cheap!)

3.Have you tried AHA:s?

Hey there! I do at home glycolic peels (with 35% strength) on occasion. I see only mild improvement (in the form of smaller pores) and of course it's temporary. I prefer lactic acid peels but haven't ordered the one I really liked in a while.

I haven't tried Milanis -- I meant a good eyeshadow in pretty, stay-put shades (the one I have wears off in about 2 hours ,f::) I will definitely try it, they ARE cheap...I guess I assumed they wouldn't work!!

Has anyone tried the new foundation that's swirled with the white stuff that looks like moisturizer? (not the compact covergirl, the bottle that has the cool swirl inside). Wondering if it works.

For skin care products, please check out "The Original Beauty Bible" by Paula Begouin AND "Simple Skin Beauty" by Dr. Ellen Marmur. These 2 books will address every question you could possibly have about skin and debunks many skin care myths.

The problem with many drug store brands is that they are simply too laden with preservatives and not enough pigments to do any good. I know there are a lot of good drug store finds, but you will spend just as much money experimenting than if you were to invest in 1 good product. For any and every skin type I recommend (and use) silicone-based foundation. I have never attempted to find these at drug stores but you can try $1 samples through Face Atelier.

But my use of non-drugstore makeup is my own philosophy, so I'm not telling anyone what to do per se. If something is going on the skin (mine or someone else's), why would I want to put something that is not good quality on it? I spend the money on something that will deliver results and last a long time. Drugstore for foundation/concealer/eye shadow/lipstick just doesn't do it for me (this after much experimentation). Mascara, on the other hand, MANY great drugstore brands for mascara...

*double post*

ITA with Azhia. Drugstore foundations only seem to be problematic, at least in my own experience. They contain too many waxy, pore-clogging ingredients in addition to all the icky preservatives. I don't touch 'em with a ten foot pole.

For everyday, I'll use a swipe of Bare Minerals. For everyday purposes, you can't beat the coverage and the ingredients. (Though I've heard there are even "cleaner" mineral cosmetics that don't contain bismuth sulfate).

For performances/photos, when I'm looking for that smooth, flawless finish, I go for Makeup For Ever's HD Foundation, with the HD primer underneath. And I set it with MUFE's loose powder. Like Azhia said, you want something that's nicely textured and pigmented so you don't have to spackle it on.

OT, but I've also heard that titanium dioxide, the active ingredient in mineral cosmetics, can create some really odd effects under studio lights. I don't know if this is an Old Wives' Tale, but I avoid using Bare Minerals on photo shoots for this reason.

Originally Posted by Azhia

For skin care products, please check out "The Original Beauty Bible" by Paula Begouin AND "Simple Skin Beauty" by Dr. Ellen Marmur. These 2 books will address every question you could possibly have about skin and debunks many skin care myths.

The problem with many drug store brands is that they are simply too laden with preservatives and not enough pigments to do any good. I know there are a lot of good drug store finds, but you will spend just as much money experimenting than if you were to invest in 1 good product. For any and every skin type I recommend (and use) silicone-based foundation. I have never attempted to find these at drug stores but you can try $1 samples through Face Atelier.

But my use of non-drugstore makeup is my own philosophy, so I'm not telling anyone what to do per se. If something is going on the skin (mine or someone else's), why would I want to put something that is not good quality on it? I spend the money on something that will deliver results and last a long time. Drugstore for foundation/concealer/eye shadow/lipstick just doesn't do it for me (this after much experimentation). Mascara, on the other hand, MANY great drugstore brands for mascara...

Can you give some examples of silicone-based foundation brands? Face Atelier I take it is one example. Are there companies that sell them at a physical location (e.g. sephora) where I could go try different shades on then purchase?

Originally Posted by Sonja2

And how about a good mild cleanser with no salicylic acid that wil help keep my huge pores clear???

And these need to be drugstore finds... :-)

I've been using Oil of Olay's foaming cleanser for sensitive skin for years and swear by it--it's gentle on the skin yet removes even the most stubborn of makeup, MAC's Fluidline for example.

I like MACs Studio FX liquid foundation.

I have tried several different foundations that were cremes or cakes (they come in a compact), and everyone of those seemed to make my wrinkles stand out like crazy. Never again!

MAC's Studio Sculpt works really well for me. It's $28 but lasts for a good long time. Their eyeshadows are about $14 but stay on. Make-up is one place where it's better to have a few really good things than a lot of ok things.

Originally Posted by catwomyn

MAC's Studio Sculpt works really well for me. It's $28 but lasts for a good long time. Their eyeshadows are about $14 but stay on. Make-up is one place where it's better to have a few really good things than a lot of ok things.

Not to mention, a little bit of MAC goes a long way, so a pot of eyeshadow can last upwards of 2 years!

I'm a big fan of Bare Minerals foundation, I use it over a tinted moisturizer (sephora brand) and apply after my eye make up. It works double duty as a powder and a foundation and it doesn't clog my pores or cause breakouts.

Personally, I'd rather use a high end foundation, as a smaller amount goes a long way, and I get help color matching. However, I have heard good things about revlon anti aging foundation. My go-to site for cosmetic reviews is makeupalley.com. You can search for the top rated foundations and see what others think...I take a look pretty much whenever I contemplate trying any new products!

Face Atelier is one (I use it in my kit). I believe Make Up Forever sells a silicone-based foundation as well (Sephora time!!).
I also love and use the MAC Studio Sculpt but I hear it does not fare so well on oily skin.

I'm glad this topic came up. I used a drugstore foundation the other day in lieu of my bare minerals to get more "full coverage" for a show. I now have three huge zits. This just confirmed why.

I think I like silicone-based makeup because I have worn a silicone-based primer (Philosophy's Supernatural) a lot and have never broken out from it. My problem with expensive brands is buying on faith - it's expensive and my skin is so hard to match (even the Prescriptives people were puzzled). I wonder if Sephora is willing to let you try out foundations?

Any tips for matching foundation? It often comes out as too red/pink - or if I veer the other way - too yellow. I typically wear bare minerals in medium beige.

Check the reviews on Makeupalley - Street Smart Beauty - Homepage The girls there have saved me tons of $$ in products that don't work. Their skincare board is realy knowledgeable, too, and will be able to make recs based on your skin issues. Same with the makeup board; if you want to talk to people that have the same skin type, it's fantastic.

You can absolutely get products that work for you at a reasonable price. There are some really great eyeshadows and other products by Milani, NYX, L'Oreal, Rimmell, etc.

If you're willing to buy online, the palettes on Coastal Scents: are really cheap and pigmented (the brushes are supposed to be great, too btw. I'll find out for sure after Christmas!) I use Everyday Minerals - Everyday Naturals for everyday foundation, blush and eyeshadow (esp. since you can get a sample for cheap and it lasts a long time). I'm allergic to the bismuth that's found in Bare Minerals and other brands.

For foundation primer, save $$ and use the Monistat Anti Chafing stuff. It's the same thing, but a lot cheaper.

Nepenthe--Sephora will let you take home samples of foundation, just ask. They'll also accept returns. Just try to keep the receipt! ETA: Everyday Minerals has a "beige" section which I fall into. It's not too yellow and not too pink.

I use Bare Minerals foundation, blush and powder. For eyeshadow, I use a mineral as well, and use a bit of cream concealer on my eyelids as a base. That helps keep the shadow on for hours.

As far as cleansing and moisturizing, I use warm water, a clean washcloth and a bit of Dr. Bonners to wash my face, and coconut oil to moisturize. I actually use coconut oil to condition my hair, and as a body lotion as well. LOVE IT! I have dry, yet break out prone skin, and the cnut oil doesn't cause any pimples at all. I'm over 40 (shh don't tell anyone!) and have almost no wrinkles. Coconut for the win!

Since I don't wear make-up on a regular basis, I had to improvise with what I had on hand and ended up using olive oil. I won't be buying make-up remover in the future because the olive oil worked nicely.

I also a fan of Dr Bronner's but it does warn about getting the stuff in your eyes (at least the scented versions).

Originally Posted by Sonja2

And how about a good mild cleanser with no salicylic acid that wil help keep my huge pores clear???

And these need to be drugstore finds... :-)

i use baby oil, but if you tend to be more oily than dry, try baby shampoo or whatever soap you use for the face and then for the eye area pop a pin hole in a vitamin E gel tab and squeeze that onto your eye then wipe with a cotton pad (then swallow the rest ^_~)

i use this site to find my makeup, most of which i was able to get from drug stores (i get my eye shadow and foundation from costal creations, but i use powder, so you'd have a different criteria than me) http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php
you can customize the search for "items that contain" or "items that do not contain" if you know certain ingredients that make you break out, or something you've found that helps your complexion

Originally Posted by Sonja2

Hey there! I do at home glycolic peels (with 35% strength) on occasion. I see only mild improvement (in the form of smaller pores) and of course it's temporary. I prefer lactic acid peels but haven't ordered the one I really liked in a while.

Give the non-irritating approach a try!;)
I was disappointed in AHA:s until I tried lower concentration every night.(product in a base without alcohol and the right ph level,*to stay on entire night*)
Started out with Paulas 8% gel and is now on Mene&Moys 30% night cream.
Acne marks and pores gone!

I prefer MAC or Makeup Store eyeshadows,but Coastal Scents palette is a-ok:)

Do mineral foundations work for you all? I noticed alot of you seem to be using them, but I have a couple of them myself (one drugstore brand, and one is MAC's version) and they just seem to wear off so quickly. By lunch, no more makeup. Even with MAC's famous staying power. What are ya'll using to keep this stuff on your face?

The Bare Minerals stays on all day for me. That's one of the things I really like about it, as I HATE touching up my make up all day. I can also recommend Monave mineral makeups. They are a woman owned business, and all their products are made in Baltimore MD. I've used their foundation, blush and eye shadows and really like them.

Originally Posted by roguepen

Since I don't wear make-up on a regular basis, I had to improvise with what I had on hand and ended up using olive oil. I won't be buying make-up remover in the future because the olive oil worked nicely.

I have to second this. Ever since I discovered extra virgin olive oil could be used as makeup remover, I've been hooked. At first, I just used it to remove eyeliner but nowadays I plaster it on my whole face and leave it on a bit before washing it both in the morning and at night, because it does wonders for my dry skin and leaves it feeling smoother than any product I've ever used. Plus it's cheap, healthy, and doesn't irritate my skin or clog my pores.

As far as drug store foundation recommendations, I like L'Oreal true match
It gives decent coverage without being thick or heavy, and there's a nice selection of colors and tones to choose from. I use moisturizer before appying it and finish with a little bit of powder.

This foundation has won a few of those beauty magazine surveys (where they ask their readers what their favorite drug store and department store beauty products are) for best drug store foundation, and I personally prefer it over MAC foundations (especially for everyday purposes), so I think it's worth a try before you go the department store route.

[QUOTE=Nepenthe;562651] I wonder if Sephora is willing to let you try out foundations?

QUOTE]

Nepenthe--I had excellent help from a saleswoman at the Burlington Mall Sephora when I was looking for foundation. I didn't get her name but if they are all that good, then you'd be in good hands there.

It's not cheap, but for performances I now swear by Makeup Forever's Face and Body Liquid Makeup. It feels a bit thick and heavy while you are applying it, and you really must use a brush to work it in quickly before it dries, but once it's set, I don't notice it. And it is truly waterproof/sweat proof. MAC seriously disappointed me in that regard. I think it would give me problems if I wore it every day, but for performance use, it's the best I've found.

The one mineral foundation I've tried was in powder form, and it gave me an asthma attack shortly after applying it

Random side rant--almost all foundations now have sunscreens in them, which is terrible for those of us with sensitivities to particular types of sunscreen. At least in the US, apparently we can't be trusted to apply sunscreen on our own. It's all the more ridiculous because I certainly don't use enough foundation to create a solid sunblock and I doubt most people do. I've had to give up on daily foundation and save it for special events. Feh. ,m:: I get by with MAC concealer and currently Makeup Forever's translucent face powder. I was a MAC loose powder in NW5 afficianado until they went and discontinued it, saying that NC5 was close enough. Er, no, it's not. ,m::