The Face Thread, the Q's and A's about Foundations, Primers, Powders...

[starliteyes]

I have a somewhat similar problem to some on this page. I think I have combo skin or something, when I wash my face my skin is very dry -- but it gradually gets quite oily. So I put moisturiser before my concealer, but to stop it from looking flaky I need to put a LOT of moisturiser on - and then my face feels suffocated - and oily pretty soon

I'm wondering whether liquid concealer would be a better idea. Maybelline's 3 in 1 concealer/powder finish sounds interesting too....

 

[lizzyb831]

Has anyone used Chanticaille foundation? I've heard varied reviews on it. They have a limited amount of shades, and Neiman Marcus isn't close to me to try it out.

 

[beetlejuice]

vbmenu_register("postmenu_492658", true); Starliteyes - I have exactly same problem than you...

Currently I use Lancome liquid concealer and HR Color Clone foundation and I works pretty well for me

 

[Alfie78]

fezbatik-Thanks for the advice. I tried it and I love it! Thanks so much!

 

[fezbatik]

Alfie - Ooohh, you are so welcome, I'm glad I could be of help!

 

[posterchild]

ok hi everyone, what's ur secret in keeping ur makeup looking fresh all day? I realise recently that my foundation looks absolutely gross by the end of the day. even though I keep my foundation very light and I don't put on any powder during the day but i realise that after 3-4 hours my face looks very old, oily in a shiney way and cakey
ahh waht to do what to doo.. I am so afraid to get anyone close to my face!

 

[ForPlay]

there are times when I'd get HUGE and PAINFUL zits on certain areas on my face. such as this specific spot on my left cheek and a place on the left side on the crease on my nose! Is there anyway of preventing them from forming, since I know that they are my "popular" spots?

And this is a super thread! Thanks for the starting it!

I'm a fair-skinned redhead, am allergic to penecillan and have a smorgasboard of skin issues; rosacea, sensitivity, oily t-zone, dry remaining areas, am prone to scarring and more. I often get blackheads, whiteheads and the cystic type of acne you are describing.

My dermatologist has put me on a combination of medications (after a long experimental process) and I've found that the oral antibiotic Doxycycline does wonders for supressing the cystic type of acne. I've noticed at least an 80% success rate since I've been taking it. The only side effect I've experienced is some stomach discomfort if I don't take the pill with enough water. It is also recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun - which as a fair redhead - is part of my daily routine. My only concern is building up an immunity to the medication, so I vary my intake (after approving it with my dermatologist). I've heard that it does take some time to work effectively on certain people.

Instead of Accutane, I've been using a different topical medication called Differin. I can't use it daily as it dries my face, especially around my nose and mouth, to the point of irritation. But using it 3 times a week has significantly decreased the blackheads around my nose, cheeks and chin.

My face is about 99% clear (though PMS days skew that number) and I'm pretty happy with my anti-blemish medical cocktail. I moisturize exclusively with either Cetaphil or Purpose, depending on the season.

If you have any concerns, I would definitely recommend seeing a AAD certified, reliable, referred dermatologist for a consult.
As for camouflaging blemishes, I like Amazing Concealer ($40) a lot, though you need to use it with a light hand and blend well. It also lasts a very long time because of the miniscule amount you need to use for coverage.

 

[darkintragedy]

anyone know if chanel t-mat works to reduce shine caused by oil through-out the day?

 

[gruveechik]

Use as light as you want/layer for more coverage = COVER FX

For an excellent Foundation/Concealer - try Cover FX!this is not in response to the previous posts about acne etc. rather for the original posts about foundation/concealing.

i use it all over as a lightweight foundation (doesn't dry out my super-dry skin) and i layer it under my eys and on my cheeks for fantabulous concealing power. i have severe purple/blue under-eye triangles and hyperpigmentation on my cheeks (permanent) it's so bad that people thought i was an abused woman.

i went nuts trying a gazillion products, some getting close to being perfect, but no prize... and i was so depressed about it - feeling horridly ugly ... but
after a whole lot of searching - i've found my answer = Cover FX.

It's Canadian - developed by doctors for people recovering from burns/surgeries, and is available on a website (google it and you can find it) - or if you're in Canada - some Shopper's Drug Mart beauty counters.

It's approximately $40 CAD (+ the brush $40 CAD again) and i swear it is totally worth it. Gives you perfect coverage without looking fake or looking like makeup. It's not cakey, not drying, not pasty, not chalky. If you've got super-oily skin you may need some sort of mattifier perhaps (i don't have oily skin, so i'm guessing) or you may just have to get the setting powder - which is awesome. i think you could also use some other brand's blotting powder to set it also (eg. MAC's blotting powder etc).

Getting the brush is worth it, but if you can't afford it right away, the puff and your fingers can tide you over awhile. Only a little bit is needed to cover your whole face, and you can layer on. If you only need under-eye concealing power, then this product will last for yonks!

There are many many tones/colours to choose from.. i'd say almost any skin-colour will find a match. i did and my colour is famous for being difficult to match (i'm an almost MAC NC45 - but not exactly). Now i get compliments on my skin - from strangers - and i try to pass on the good word. My friends and aquaintances tell me that i look good and ask what i'm doing. This product is that good!

i hope you don't mind if you find this message repeated in other posts, but i do want to share this gem.... it has made my life easier i swear!

 

[Adrina]

anyone know if chanel t-mat works to reduce shine caused by oil through-out the day?

Well, it depends on your skin. For my skin doesn't work so good. I found La Roche Posay at pharmacie for oily T zone. It works well.

 

[thewannabe]

MAC Studio Moisture Fix -- Best/Favorite Primer?

I just got a sample of MAC Studio Moisture Fix;
From reading online, it is described as a sort of make-up primer, moisturizer, and anti-oxidant in one. Sounds quite nice... And I never acknowledged Primers till now.

There is some discussion of Primers a few pages back. Some of you recommended SMASHBOX, NARS, and LAURA MERCER. Any updates or comments as to how they compare? Any other recommendations/preferences on Primers? Thank you so much in advance.

 

[SevenWeeksLater]

My skin is a yellowish color and I have tried every foundation that is sold here and I can never find a foundation that matches perfectly or atleast close. Cliniques shell looked good when I was trying it in the store,but in natural light it is way too dark. Any suggestions?

 

[thewannabe]

My skin is a yellowish color and I have tried every foundation that is sold here and I can never find a foundation that matches perfectly or atleast close. Cliniques shell looked good when I was trying it in the store,but in natural light it is way too dark. Any suggestions?

I don't work with make-up, so I may not be a huge help. This is what I do know, however:

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown counter? I hear they were better suited for yellowish toned and light-brown toned skin tones.

Maybe in mixing two different foundations, you can find a solution. (Liquid Foundations)

(For Asian skin tones which often times has a yellowish undertone), Stila's Illuminating powder (like 40 Watts) may work for you as well. Good luck in your search!

 

[SevenWeeksLater]

I don't work with make-up, so I may not be a huge help. This is what I do know, however:

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown counter? I hear they were better suited for yellowish toned and light-brown toned skin tones.

Maybe in mixing two different foundations, you can find a solution. (Liquid Foundations)

(For Asian skin tones which often times has a yellowish undertone), Stila's Illuminating powder (like 40 Watts) may work for you as well. Good luck in your search!

Thanks,ya I have tried mixing two together,but it never comes out the way I want it too. Yes I got the yellowish skin from my moms asian side of the family. Oo I am going to try Bobbi Brown. I wonder if there is a make-up line just for Asian people.

 

[thewannabe]

There used to be cosmetics line called "Zen" cosmetics (found at Nordy's) that was primarily for Asian/Exotic skin tones, but they have folded years ago. I am Asian and have a yellowish undertone and have never had problems finding foundations to match.

If I were you, I'd stay clear of Clinique, Estee Lauder, Lancome...

And stick to Mac and Nars (my first choices)... as well as Stila, Bobbi Brown, Shiesedo. Also, look for lines that include Asian/Exotic models in their advertising campaigns.

 

[gruveechik]

i'm a brownie... but i've got really crazy yellow undertones and finding a foundation that's got the yellow match happening was difficult. i found that MAC was a pretty decent match a while back.... i'm assuming you've tried MAC.
Ben Nye is also good... they even have a powder called 'Banana' that's apparently awesome.
Cinema Secrets also has pretty good colours.

i've recently found my HG Foundation = Cover FX.
However, my main concerns are: perfect colour match AND great coverage
(which can be layered).
There are 2 types: liquid foundation and the cream foundation in Cover FX.
If you find the right colour match but don't need as much coverage, then the liquid foundation may work for you.

 

[fireatwill]

Anyone have any good suggestions for a foundation that has good coverage and lightweight?

the best one that i've found so far is clinique's city base compact foundation spf 15. it's really good. lightweight like you said you wanted, but it covers EVERYTHING. you practically don't need concealer at all.

<3 me.

 

[MorganaLestrange]

well my prob is that i have now rather dry skin (it used to be oily) and in the morning i am applying biotherm source therapy and than a moisture or clinique pore minimizer and after that clinique super city block to be protected from sun. i am not wearing foundation often, but now my skin is dry it is rather difficult to apply some if i want. do you have any tipps how i can apply it and which is the best way to apply it to hide red blemishes....

 

[Hipkitten]

well my prob is that i have now rather dry skin (it used to be oily) and in the morning i am applying biotherm source therapy and than a moisture or clinique pore minimizer and after that clinique super city block to be protected from sun. i am not wearing foundation often, but now my skin is dry it is rather difficult to apply some if i want. do you have any tipps how i can apply it and which is the best way to apply it to hide red blemishes....

Do you use an intense moisturizer at night? If not, that might help. Also, make sure your cleanser isn't drying. For cleansing, you might want to try Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. I’d also suggest getting a facial once a month.

For foundation, you may want to try a tinted moisturizer or a water-based liquid foundation. Make sure you start with a heavy base moisturizer (I like Erno Laszlo); let it set for a while before applying your foundation. Finish with a translucent powder.

To cover redness, use a green concealer under your foundation (CHANEL has a good one). Apply foundation over it and put a heavy dot of translucent powder on it and let it set. After setting, brush it off and you should have pretty good coverage.

Good luck. If I didn't make sense, let me know, and I'll give it another try

 

[Hanne]

Do you use an intense moisturizer at night? If not, that might help. Also, make sure your cleanser isn't drying. For cleansing, you might want to try Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil.

MorganaLestrange ..if you're interested in shu uemura cleansing oil that Hipkitten mentioned you might want to do a search on it, as there is a thread on it that might interest you