Foundation doesn’t blend

[Anonymous]

My skin is aging and has fine lines. My foundation makes it more noticeable and doesn’t blend well. I have tried a couple primers but that didn’t work. What am I doing wrong? How do I get flawless looking coverage on aging skin?

[AmelieLeo]

I've found a workaround solution by mixing my foundation with a moisturiser that has spf. Everything smoothes on beautifully. 

[Jennybadhairday]

I had the same issue and solved it this way:

1. A good skin care routine. Make sure you moisturize. In cold dry weather I use belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb and in more mild weather I love Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Oil-Free Moisturizer 2 oz/ 60 mL or Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream 

2. I’ve tried a lot of primers and swear by Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Radiance SPF 35 , it’s moisturizing and gives a nice glow too.

3. I don’t know which foundation you’re using but some of them I find are too drying for my skin. I use Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 and apply with a beautyblender ORIGINAL BEAUTYBLENDER Makeup Sponge. 

with that whole routine, I get a nice smooth glowing look!
If you want a quicker, more casual routine, use a tinted moisturizer instead of the primer and foundation. 

[eshoe]

@Anonymous so sorry, this is very frustrating! I have a hunch that perhaps your skin needs a more moisturizing routine. Seasons can affect our skin causing it to be drier in edition to aging, and maybe for the time being (or longer) yours just needs a little extra boost.

What steps do you take before makeup application?

[Anonymous]

@eshoe  - I start with rose water with a few essential oils added in. Then eye cream, then a retinol cream and ending with a moisturizer that has sun screen in it. I let that all soak in while I do my eyes. 

[eshoe]

@Anonymous just a hunch, but I think you might need a hydrating toner and/or serum to help lock in some moisture before moving on to your foundation. 

You mentioned rose water with some EO. For dry skin I would recommend adding in a milky toner, like LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer 5.0 oz/ 150 mL or Pixi’s Milky Toner. If you have the time to add in a serum, I would suggest The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Hydrating Face Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL.

Hopefully adding in just a couple of steps between cleansing and moisturizing will allow for better makeup application. 

[Anonymous]

love those two products, especially the inkey list hyaluronic acid! 

also, you might want to cut out the essential oils - it can be irritating as they aren't meant for the skin (but if your skin is fine with it, i see no problem! everyone's skin is different!) a moisturizer with peptides is good for aging skin, like the drunk elephant protini polypeptide moisturizer, or the less expensive dupe, the inkey list's peptide moisturizer. (lol you're probably sick of the inkey list by now i'm sure)

[VeronicaW70]

Try using a damp sponge to create a more natural look and use blurring products to make lines less noticeable. Also, draw attention away from problem areas... maybe a bold lip or big lashes.

[Anonymous]

@VeronicaW70  What are blurring products?

[Anonymous]

blurring products are used to fill in and minimize the appearance of pores and other imperfections for a smooth base for makeup. some examples of this are milk makeup's blur stick and benefit cosmetic's porefessional primer.

[Chris38]

That’s a bummer. First things first. The thing you think is the problem... might not be the problem. You generally need to take a couple steps further back in your routine to find it. Make sense?  So, look at your exfoliating and hydrating routine. Are you really sloughing off and then plumping up that skin?  And when it comes to primers... remember this is a very complex equation. Your skin, plus your moisturizer, plus your sunscreen, plus your primer, plus your foundation?  All needing to get along. I really recommend simplifying things. Use a

tinted moisturizer with SPF, that will really eliminate a lot of guess work. Second.  Give up of “flawless”. Aim for “better.”  Good luck 🍀 

[Anonymous]

@Chris38 what is the best way to exfoliate and slough off? I don’t do this much. 

[Chris38]

Start slowly, maybe just once a week. It’s better to under-do, than over-do it. I really like the facial polish from Fresh. fresh Sugar Face Polish Exfoliator   There’s nothing better in my book. You wet your face and work a small amount in until the polish slowly changes from slightly gritty to smooth. Then, let it sit on your face for a few minutes so the fruit acids can to their thing. Then rinse off. Don’t let the price scare you. You use a tiny amount, once a week. It will last a long time. The drug store version is not even close. 

[eshoe]

@Anonymous if you are not yet accustomed to it, begin with a gentle chemical exfoliant. Right now there is a LE I would highly recommend, Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ AHA + BHA Mask Mini 0.5 oz/ 15 mL to introduce your skin to a mild exfoliant. Start with leaving it on for 5 mins, just to be safe. 

With dry skin, you want to be careful not to over-exfoliate. Once every couple of weeks would be a good start to this one!

[Anonymous]

please don't forget that your fine lines and wrinkles don't define you!

i know you have tried many primers, but it might be your foundation that enhances your lines. professional makeup artists recommend using tinted moisturizers and bb creams instead, like the bareminerals complexion rescue. also keep in mind that cream products will look more seamless on aging skin than powder/mineral products will. 

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous  But how do I get good coverage with just tinted moisturizer or bb cream? I have a light complexion mixed with freckles.

[mynameserin]

I have light skin with freckles as well. I had the same problem and went through several foundations until I found the #Yves Saint Laurent (all hours matte foundation) one that worked wonders. doesnt settle in my lines and looks like a full coverage foundation i use to use when i was younger, yet is light and silky feeling on the skin.  I also stopped using concealer since it was settling in my wrinkles and looking crackly.  I have dry skin and moisturize plenty and use a pore filling primer before applying my foundation with a damp sponge as well. I just layer it more times over my areas with more freckles and dark spots.

I am on my ipad and cannot seem to get the product box to let me type, so here is a link to the foundation:

https://www.sephora.com/product/all-hours-full-coverage-matte-foundation-P421456?skuId=1969948

[CathrynT]

I'm in a similar boat and I actually use Elta MD tinted moisturizer with SPF. Not sold at Sephora but I've found that it minimizes my freckles and sunspots a little better than foundation, and it doesn't ever crack or cake. I also just find that the added hydration (and SPF) are great. I apply it with a blender sponge and then do bobbi brown concealer for big blemishes. 

[Anonymous]

there are some bb creams and tinted moisturizers out there that give pretty good coverage, and keep in mind they are pretty buildable, and that sheer coverage will look just as good on you!

also, philosophy has an anti-wrinkle primer, so you might want to try that.