WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!!!! I said I hate makeup, but I have to direct more of my disdain to foundation. I am 35 years old and I am still trying to find a foundation that is my holy grail. I am very, very, very fair, yellow undertones, have a lot of redness and my skin is dry and sensitive. I moisturize like it's my second job, use primer, concealer, foundation, powder, etc. etc. I drink TONS of water, I always take my makeup off (and moisturize!) and have done so much research on foundation that I can write a dissertation.
I am tired. I feel defeated.
I've been battling foundation woes since I was 16 and would use my part-time job paycheck to buy $50 foundation. I would have to go to Macy's department store and buy the absolutely lightest shade of foundation. The gal's that worked the makeup counters were baffled by my skin, "Omg you're so pale!" Ugh. I spent so much time being upset about being embarrassed about my skin AND spending so much money trying to cover it up.
Foundation does not make me feel pretty. It makes me feel ugly, self conscious and frustrated. I don't want to spend loads of money on something that makes my skin crawl. I don't want to buy a product that I feel 'does the job' only to have it discounted. I'm sick of watching and reading reviews of beauty guru's who only confuse me more, I just want one product to use everyday!!! I have mixed foundations, used all the recommended makeup tools, tried different application techniques. I've been there, I've done that....over it.
I hate you foundation, you are the bane of my morning routine. As for the rest of the makeup, I'm okay with you....as long as you behave.
Your pale annoyed friend.
XOXO-Meagan Kyla
Have you tried Bare Essentials? It's powder, not liquid, but not drying.
ReplyDeleteI have tried powder foundations (not Bare Essentials) and I found them to be okay. I may go back to one Halo by Smashbox but it's pricey.
DeleteI totally feel you. I have such dry skin too and it's very hard to find pale shades. Sometimes I can get into a good patch where I've exfoliated lots and moisturised obsessively, and then all of a sudden my skin is all flaky and nothing works anymore. Grrr!
ReplyDeleteSame here. I feel you sister.
DeleteI am lucky I dont have dry skin but what helps me is the BB cream from l'oreal. It comes in a very thin tube and it is VERY pale. I use it as a primer. It helps keep my skin smooth and then I add Stargazer powder over it. Sometimes I use the Stargazer liquid foundation as primer but I have better results with the BB cream. We are all different but I hear your frustrations. You look very lovely in that photo by the way. I like your lipstick too
ReplyDeleteI did try that one and I found it to be very dark and returned it. Maybe I got a bad tube?
DeleteI've never tried Stargazer powder, but have been wanting to try it. I am currently using a Manic Panic powder (Anemic) and they stopped making it. :(
Amen. I hate foundation and always have ... and I refuse to wear it. I don't like the way it feels on my skin at all, and I think it makes my face look plastic. Instead, I moisturize. Then I apply Laura Geller's "Spackle." Let that dry, then I use her "Balance and Brighten" powder. It's technically a bunch of foundations that have been swirled and baked. I find that it balances my tone, acting like a foundation without being a foundation.
ReplyDeleteHrmmm. I'll have to check out the Spackle.
DeleteSpackle is a beautiful thing. It's pricey, but a little bit goes a long, long way. The eye spackle is divine.
DeleteHave you tried Korean BB cream? It's Supposed to have a better range of fair tones than the North American counterparts-- our skin tone norm is naturally darker over here, so I can only imagine what fair skin gals must go through.
ReplyDeleteI have heard a lot of raves about the fair (not fair/light) tone from Wet & Wild's coverall line, however. They say it's a great yellow undertoned foundation.
I use Light/medium from this line because it is the only foundation I have found that's so close to my natural skin tone that it might as well be second skin; I have olive undertones. There is one weird thing I have noticed, this stuff hates foundation brushes-- leaves streaks all over the place. Using my hands or a wet beauty sponge works best.
Interesting about the Wet n' Wild! I have not tried the Korean BB creams as I was afraid order online and having it work for me. I think I should look again.
DeleteI second the suggestion of wet n wild's coverall line!
DeleteI use the "fair" and it is the ONLY drugstore brand I've ever found that's pale enough for my skin and actually helps disguise my natural redness (i always match my foundation to my neck/boobs as opposed to my face since it's a little bit reddish and darker because of freckles).
It's amazing -- although I have a more neutral tone to my skin than a pink or a yellow tone.
I've got nothing to lose....except my sanity (heheeh!) I will pick up a tube to try :)
DeleteI'm also really pale with yellow undertones, redness and sometimes flaky/dry skin... and I have had so much trouble finding a good foundation with proper coverage. My holy grail was a Nivea foundation that they promptly stopped making, of course... :( Now I'm using a GOSH foundation that is working pretty well so far. Not as good coverage as the Nivea but I can layer it so it's ok...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry they discounted your make up. I hate that!
DeleteWhy not do away with foundation altogether? I think a face without makeup is much prettier anyway and you have great shape to your face.
ReplyDeleteI have opted for moisturizer, mascara and lipstick and that's it.
Pale skin with lots of redness and liking dramatic make up combo doesn't look right on me. I don't always wear full foundation.....
DeleteI've given up on foundation. I'm dry, and I'm over 40 and it just looks too obvious. I'm currently using a BB Cream and spot-using concealer and I am so much happier!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to go back to the same thing. I just need to find a BB cream that is right for my skin tone.
DeleteI love Barry M and have used their foundation for years. In the winter when my skin is at it's rosiest and purpley then I use some colour correcting concealer and like the one by veganfaces.co.uk plus star gazers white foundation and powder.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried Barry M since I'm in the States, but I've heard great things about their products.
DeleteWow! Lots of comments. I'll add my 2 cents. I have very pale skin - probably not yellow undertones, though. I hated to use foundation so I stopped. Now, all I use is a little olive oil with water for moisture and cornstarch to take away the shine. Now, my skin glows. I always hated wiping my face and seeing makeup on my sleeve. For spots, I just use a spot concealer.
ReplyDeleteMakeup is a hot topic. Hehehe! Very interesting, thank you for giving me your insight :)
Deleteugh i hate foundation too! And it gives me acne, no matter what it claims. I started using a brush to put it on (when I do...which is very, very rare) because it's faster and blends better. It's also kind of fun, like you're painting your face. I recommend a brush with liquid foundation if you haven't tried that.
ReplyDeleteI use a stippling brush and a foundation brush, depending on the consistency of the foundation.
DeleteAmen to this! I have weird half pale/half blotchy skin with yellow undertones, lots of redness, huge pores/scars and it's super dry and sensitive! If you find a holy grail foundation let me know.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment my favourite is OCC'S tinted moisturiser which is actually more like a foundation. You should check out their concealers too (which I've heard some people use as foundation).
Yes! Thank you for reminding me as I remember reading about their products on your blog. :)
DeleteI have very pale skin with lots of redness. I stopped wearing foundation. I use either It Cosmetics CC cream (with a moisturizer in it) or Tarte BB cream. For a concealer I use the Tarte Amazonian Clay cream concealer.
ReplyDeleteI used the IT Cosmetics CC cream and liked the color, but it seemed to settle into my fine lines. I've never tried Tarte's BB cream, I'll have to sample it :)
DeleteThank you!
DeleteMakeup can be a pain! The bits like eyeshadow and lipstick are fun (although never finding enemy blood lipstick! Ugh!) but the rest...
ReplyDeleteMy friend has your pale skin problem, even the lightest foundations are almost brown against her skin! I am currently avoiding foundation as I have super sensitive skin and I am trying to stop it from getting upset! That's what lighting and camera filters are for, wink.
"That's what lighting and camera filters are for, wink." LOL!!! <3
DeleteAh, the memories of orange-toned sunbed queens behind makeup counters saying with disdain, "We don't have anything that will work for you. You are sooooo pale."
ReplyDeleteMy skin is similar to yours - very pale with yellow undertones, somewhat sensitive, and extremely dry. Generally, I just go with sunblock, concealer and powder. If I want a little more coverage, I use Urban Decay Naked Skin in color 1, applied with a brush. It's the only foundation that doesn't feel icky on my skin or accentuate the dryness and fine lines.
YES! Accentuating the dryness and fine lines is exactly what I'm trying to avoid! Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate it!
DeleteUgh, finding a good foundation when you're pale is a real pain. I've also got yellow undertones and I've been using Gosh foundation in porcelain for a couple of years now. I'm still happy with it (and it's relatively cheap!) but I'm now looking for something with more coverage. In my makeup classes we use Makeup For Ever face & body foundation and I've found that their palest yellowish shade is a really good match with my skintone, too. Sadly they're not quite as friendly on dry skin.
ReplyDeleteAnother gal talked about Gosh, I will have to check them out! Thank you :)
DeleteYES! Sometimes I feel like I've lived my entire life in pursuit of the perfect foundation (there is something very wrong with that statement) and I can totally relate on the dry, sensitive skin thing too, especially in winter. I've been oil cleansing for the last year and it has really helped my skin, to the point where, on a good day I only feel I need to cover up some redness around my nose and mouth and some old acne scarring on my chin. My skin is better hydrated, less irritated and nearly blemish free-- and here I thought oil was the enemy this whole time.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently on the hunt for a new foundation since my winter pallor is impossible to match, and I think I'll give Yaby Cosmetics liquid foundation a try. I received a sample from them and love the consistency. They also encourage foundation mixing and leave enough room in their tubes to add a corrector (their yellow based ivory and "daisy" white look promising) to create a perfect shade. Ugh, I hate the thought of shelling out money for something that, yet again, might not match, but fingers crossed Yaby is finally "the one." Good luck!
Thank you! I forgot about Yaby Cosmetics, I appreciate the feedback and knowing I have people who understand the struggle (even though I all wish we didn't, if you know what I mean ;) )
DeleteYou're not alone at all, I've often found that foundation was an area of the ol' makeup bag where I was far from totally satisfied. One thing that I have been quite pleased with is BB cream. I pretty much skip foundation in the summer now (unless I've got a big/important event and want to pull out all the stops) and just use that. It tends to blend in so well with my natural skin colour (fair with lots of pink undertones) and, to date, hasn't bothered my sensitive skin. In the colder ones I've been using it as a base beneath my foundation and there, too, and happier with the way my foundation (and skin) looks. Have you explored BB (or CC) creams much, dear gal?
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I have tried a variety of CC creams since they have more coverage. I liked IT Cosmetics, the color and application was great, BUT settled in my fine lines :( I am using a Clinique BB cream sample in fair (that a friend gave me) and even though it's moisturizing, I've having a hard time with application.....very streaky.
DeleteFoundation is also my enemy. I have been using the same one for years an it is only okay but I DREAD having to pay for new ones and try them out! I pretty much have to wear foundation as I have terrible skin despite trying anything and everything to get it to behave. I LOVE LOVE LOVE wearing any other type of makeup (eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, etc) but if I could just magically wake up with beautiful skin and never had to wear foundation again it would be the best thing ever!!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to say it's a 'relief' that a beauty guru as yourself experiences the same thing that I do. Of course, I feel your pain and feel EXACTLY the way you do and do not wish this frustration on anybody! I really got into lipstick this past year to try and deter my disdain for foundation. BLAH!
DeleteI'm giving Smashbox BB cream a go, I ordered a "try it" sample size that including the Halo powder foundation that I know I used a few years ago and did like.....I'm not made out of money! LOL!!!
I'm also very pale so I definitely know the struggle with finding the right shade of foundation (sometimes I wonder if it's even possible). My skin is on the other end of the spectrum though, it's quite oily and most foundations don't last that long on my skin before I have to start blotting and applying more powder, and more and more, until it starts to feel really gross. Not to mention that most foundations cause my skin to break out. I really only wear it occasionally, because I can't be bothered anymore XD
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm by no means pale, but I definitely feel you with the foundation struggle. I spent at least a good 10 years and a lot of money looking for the perfect foundation for my oily acne prone skin along with the perfect moisturizers and skin products when I discovered three amazing products...aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and lavender essential oil. These are three products I can't live without. I've been using these products the last three years and I don't even NEED foundation anymore! I still wear makeup because I love color, but I if I need something for my eyeshadow or blush to stick to I will use a little stick concealer and that's it.
These products are all so simple to use. Aloe can be slathered onto the face alone and it moisturizes the skin and is an EXCELLENT primer! I would put on a dime size amount and let it dry and then use a light mineral powder for foundation. Lavender oil can be applied to the face with a cotton pad 2-4 drops at a time. Coconut oil can sparingly be used as a facial moisturizer, but it could cause clogged pores if used too heavy. If these are things you would like to try, always do a test patch 48 hours in advance to make sure there are no allergic reactions. Some brands I would recommend would be Fruit of the Earth aloe gel, Louanna coconut oil, and Now essential oil in lavendar.
Hope this helps. I love your style!