I need a new foundation

[Ms Monnie]

I have horrible acne at the moment, it's really red, senisitive and flaky and as much as I adore using MMU in other circumstances I think it's just not right for me at the moment. It just highlights how dry my skin is and it's too irritating using kabuki brushes or flocked sponges to apply. I've tried mixing it with my moisturiser but the coverage just gets more sheer, and it's not covering enough as it is.

I really want to get a great liquid make-up or an amazing concealer. I know it's better for your skin to wear MMU or even nothing at all, but I just want something for special occasions so that I can feel confident going out.

Also, I am really rather pale, I guess that's why when I go red it stand out so much. I went into MAC the other day asking for recommendations and the guy there rattled out a load of letters and number like NC15 and NC 50. Apparently they start at 15, which is pale and end at 50 which is dark. And I'm a 6. :boggle: He said I should go to this place in Soho which mixes make-up with a white base or something but I promptly forgot the name.

Halp?!

[kimberlily]

I know Shisedo makes very fair foundations. You might want to try them first, since it would probably be cheaper than custom blended foundation.

You must be incredibly fair if MAC doesn't make a light enough shade for you! In winter, I'm an NC15, though I prefer MMU now.

[Chromis]

If you like the minerals but not the application, Pure Luxe makes a whipped creme foundation and Jane Iredale has a liquid mineral foundation :)

[manderly]

I think that MMU is "better" for your skin is a fallacy. In fact, I think that keeping the brushes clean led to more acne problems than ever. I've gone years with MMU (Bare Escentuals, Everyday Minerals, Jane Iredale) and years with mainstream cosmetics.

My skin had its moments of greatness and ickiness with both types. In my opinion, the MMU tended to look like a mask on me because in order to get the covereage to cover my bad skin I had to use far more than normal.

At the moment I'm using Makeup Forever (Face & Body Foundation), a brand Sephora carries. They have very light colors as well, and it's an excellent foundation. It's incredibly light, it's a "gel" formula which is very odd at first, and while sheer it still evens tone. It's also buildable without caking. It does not cover acne spots. I use their concealer in a tube with a black lid, it's excellent. I also use their high definition powder (it's silica) and I love it.

Since I apply this all with clean fingers (except the powder) I don't have to worry about bacteria on my brushes aggravating my acne.

The foundation is about $30, the concealer is about $22. I've had the foundation since May 08 and wearing it almost every day I have only used 1/5 of the bottle, so it is very long-lasting. The concealer I've barely made a dent, I'm sure it will last for years.

[Darl_in1]

I'm very pale too. I would recommend Kryolan (http://www.kryolan.com/en/Home/Home.htm). I use the Ivory and it's very pale and has amazing coverage.

Kryolan is a range of professional makeup - I get mine from Charles Fox (http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/home.html) in Covent Garden. It's much cheaper than Prescriptives custom blend which I used previously.

The staff at Charles Fox should be able to advise you, as they have specialist knowledge and the range they stock is vast as it is for professional makeup artists. It's a fantastic place - a real Aladdin's Cave for makeup!

[Ms Monnie]

Ah. I borrowed a blue lipstick from a friends of mine recently and he said it was from Charles Fox. I wanted to get one of my own but I couldn't for the life of me remember the name when I was there. I'll go again soon, my college is five minutes away from Covent Garden :) (I'm going to get poor!).

I like the sound of all the suggestions, but I want to be able to get samples or test them out before I buy something and some of these I'm not sure if I can.

Manderly, there used to be a Sephora right near me but then they changed it into a really boring, generic clothes shop *fume*. I don't understand why they don't have a UK website?!

I think I agree with you about MMU not necessarily being better. It's just about knowing your ingredients and what you are putting on your skin, perhaps what everyone finds so exciting about MMU. I still love it, it's just not appropriate for me ATM. A gel sounds rather nice really, sort of moisturising but light?

Chromis, I've ordered some Pure Luxe samples. I can't see that Jane Iredale do any though :(

Kimberlily, looking at your avatar I wouldn't think I was much paler than you. But then again, it looks like you've used a flash and if I use a flash I'm pure white/bluish grey :P.

[kimberlily]

Ms. Monnie, my avatar was messed with in Photoshop ;)

Here's the real deal :) No flash, just natural light.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/kimberlily74/062206.jpg

[Raederle]

<snip>

Here's the real deal :) No flash, just natural light.



And still the beautiful skin and eyes.

[kimberlily]

And still the beautiful skin and eyes.

Aw, thank you! :flower:

[topaz_phoenix]

When my skin is being too funky to wear mineral makeup, I like Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation in Oily/Combo. I dunno if it's light enough for you.....I'm pretty light but Ivory was too pink....I use a mix of Buff, Nude, and Sand Beige......mostly Buff with a couple drops of the other two. It looks more natural if you use moisturizer beforehand, I mix my moisturizer with a sunscreen and let it sit about 10 minutes before I apply the foundation with a small sponge...it stays on well and doesn't rub off on stuff as much as my MMU tends to....still love MMU but when my skin is too icky to wear just a small amount of the minerals, Colorstay is the way to go.

You can get it at the drugstore for like 8-10 bucks. It's expensive to buy 3 bottles but they last for a while and it's the way to get the best match. You can test the colors on your arm or neck though first before you buy, that's what I did.....be sure to keep the receipt so you can go back and switch colors if they didn't work......hope this helps.