Foundation confusion--please help (fair/acne-prone/red)
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Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:20 pm

I have been searching the forums all day but haven't quite found any answers so here goes:

Ok, here's my skin: 29 yrs old, very fair with freckles, blue eyes, auburn hair...acne-prone with some scarring, pink-red undertones, combination and sensitive. (I also use retin-a micro in mornings, emu oil, and sometimes super cop at night.)

Currently the problem is this: my face and neck aren't matching because I am not using the right foundation! Yuck--the Clinique Super-Balanced I am using is too sheer I think because the reddish tint and any blemishes/red marks are showing through. Next to my pale, even-toned (no pink) neck it looks really bad.

I've tried Prescriptives, Clinique, some drugstore kinds, Guerlain....haven't found the right one yet.

I need a new one which will give me more coverage, match my neck and not look too caked-on....any ideas? I keep hearing about mineral makeup but since I am kinda rushed to take care of this non-matching problem I don't want to wait for something to be delivered from online. Thanks so much! Neutral

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:03 pm

I really think MMU is the way to go here. The great thing is, is apart from it having built in spf which you need if you are on retin-a AND it won't irritate your skin, is you can use different shades in different places on your skin. Most places will sell sample packs for very small amounts of dosh so you can get the right colours to match your skin tone.

The thing with minerals is you have to play around with it to get the application right and don't forget to spritz!

I know you don't wanna wait, but it is definitely worth the wait to get it right!

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:46 pm

I agree with Guapagirl 110%. I'm fair-skinned like you, and it's terribly difficult for girls like us to hit the right color in a traditional foundation because there just aren't that many fair colors offered. Mineral Makeup is definitely the way to go, and best of all, Alima (the company I use) will even custom blend your foundation for free, so if you decide you'd be best off with a mix of colors (for example, I use a blend of Alima C-0 and W-0), just let them know when you order. And don't worry about coverage--- this stuff covers everything! I usually apply a light, natural layer all over, then I dip my concealer brush in and go back over red marks, break outs, etc. You can get alima samples atwww.alimacosmetics.com, and if it helps, they ship so quickly it usually only takes a day or 2 for me to get my order.^-^

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:08 pm

also, are you positive that you have pink undertones? I am also fair with freckles and blue eyes and used to use pink undertoned foundations because people always told me that fair people were pink! Plus I think I mistook redness/irritation in my skin for undertone. give a more neutral shade a chance, you might be surprised. Can't help you on brands though, since I wear a tinted moisturizer and it sounds like you're looking for more coverage than that.

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:28 pm

I second Alima MMU!

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:30 pm

I also agree...MMU might be perfect for you. IMHO I'd avoid Bare Escentuals, other than that, many have sampling programs where you can try before you buy.

I adore Everyday Minerals Matte finish. But as you can see there are many great brands out there!

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:36 pm

i say mmu as well.. my face and neck arnt the same color and i'd hate hate to put liquid on my neck and have it rub off on my clothes.. mmu is less messy and i find that if ur light skinned its very very easy to find color match

Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:42 pm

You might also want to consider a mineral-based concealer to use *under* mineral make-up such as the inexpensive ones offered by Lumiere...
http://www.lumierecosmetics.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=46&pg=1
They are totally affordable ($3.50) and provide good coverage which means ultimately that you can use way less MMU when you are trying to camoflauge redness, etc. In fact, they work so well that you may find you can get away with using just a finishing powder versus MMU foundation. The only downside is that if you are in Canada, Lumiere stuff takes forever to arrive.

p.s. Alima arrives super fast, usually in a few days

Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:16 pm

Thanks so much everyone!! I think it's going to have to be MMU for me. Smile

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:01 pm

Hi! I agree with the others...MMU is the way to go but be ready to sample!! I really am happy with UGloGirlwww.uglogirl.com and I found them to be very helpful (and patient) with helping me find my color and shipping was fast. The finish is natural..yet it covers without feeling like I am wearing anything at all. I also use the Buttercup and Cameo concealers. You also get a discount if you are an EDS member. Smile

HTH!

~ Heather

Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:08 pm

I've had the same great experience as Doodlebug with UGloGirl with the exception of delivery expectations--if you live in Canada, it takes seriously forever to arrive, as in almost a month to the day on this last order and 1-1/2 months on a previous order. If you are not in a rush, it's a good option.

Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:27 am

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's help! I ordered two samples from Uglogirl. Foundation in Fairy Princess and bronzer in Sunkissed. As a temporary fix I picked up some Colorstay foundation in Buff and Colorstay concealer in Light and it's an improvement over the Clinique.

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:45 am

Good luck! Keep us updated! Very Happy

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:51 pm

As soon as I read this headline ... I thought "That woman needs MMU!"

I could never go back to all the chemical gunk that is conventional foundation! Once you get the knack of MMU ... you'll love it.

My skin has never been better than it is now ... and while it's not all MMU ... that's certainly a big part of it!

Not only can your skin actually breathe while wearing MMU ... but being inert, bacteria doesn't build up in your container! Just imagine what horrible things are growing in your conventional foundation ... just from using your fingers for application! Shock

So ... obviously, I'm with the others here. MMU is definitely a must! Laughing

Mary

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:31 pm

I like Lancome's Teint Idol in Buff 2. It works well on my skin. It has medium coverage, but doesn't feel heavy.

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:29 am

Your skin is just like mine. I have some MMU lines (can't remember which ones) and can't get them to cover anything.

If you find something that works, please let us know!

Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:11 am

I agre with everone else. I was in the same boat as you about 2 years ago. I figured I had nothing to loose, so I tried MMU. I love it> I will never go back. I have tried many different brands but I Alima seems to be the best brand for me.

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:34 pm

Have you tried Estee Lauder Double wear foundation power? It is not very popular, but most people who has tried likes it, including myself. I find it non-pore clogging, and gives a natural finish.

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