Base for makeup

pwurple

I should know this at this stage in my 30's but I've never been into makeup.

What do people use for a base under foundation? Or do you put it on without anything else?

I cleanse and moisturise at nighttime, and in the morning I put on sunscreen and then the foundation (using estee lauder double wear at the moment). Bit of bronzer or blush and off I go to work.

But I'm finding the foundation is long gone by lunchtime. Suspect it's the base layer is just making it really easy for it to wear off.

Should I use a primer, or skip the sunscreen, or what do people put on?

I've tried a powder on top of the foundation, but find it cakes and makes me look wrinkly.

What am I missing?

jokettle

Primers have never really done anything for me tbh, although I've only tried one or two. I just never noticed any difference, and I thought the Smashbox Photofinish one felt really greasy on.

I was watching a load of tutorials by Jacyln Hill on youtube recently, and in one she mentioned that she only uses moisturiser because (and I'm paraphrasing here) "the makeup just needs something to cling to, it doesn't matter what that something is".

I've started using moisturiser every day (which is probably a bit late in the game at 27!) as well as an eye cream. The eye cream definitely helps keep my concealer in place for longer. The moisturiser doesn't seem to make much difference either, to be perfectly, honest, but it has an SPF in it so I'll continue to use it.

Double Wear is very thick and long lasting though, so I'm surprised that it's wearing off so fast. Have you tried it without the sunscreen? Do you set it with powder? Is your skin very oily, maybe?

shakencat

Hey!
i use Laura Mercier Illuminate Primer - Love it.

I used to use Mac - but found it very glittery

Ive also used the rimmel (cheaper option) and also found it really good.

I got lucky at christmas and received three primers (Laura mercer, mac and smash box)

Of all three, Laura mercer is my favourite. But all do work!! So it really depends on your budget!

My make up lasts all day in work (I work in a pool, so its really warm too!)

I do top up with powder at lunch, but thats my own preference!! i don't need to!

pwurple

jokettle wrote: »

I've started using moisturiser every day (which is probably a bit late in the game at 27!) as well as an eye cream. The eye cream definitely helps keep my concealer in place for longer.

Ok, losing me quickly here.. I'm way out of my comfort zone with this. What is eye cream, does that just go on eyelids? and where is the concealer going? under the foundation? on top of the eye cream?

jokettle wrote: »

Double Wear is very thick and long lasting though, so I'm surprised that it's wearing off so fast. Have you tried it without the sunscreen? Do you set it with powder? Is your skin very oily, maybe?

I have tried powder, and it goes weirdly cakey. Cracks etc. Maybe I'm not putting on enough foundation.... I don't find it thick. It's totally liquidy. pours out of the bottle.

Skin is not particularly oil. It's combination/sensitive. Oily around nose and chin, dry forehead and cheeks.

pwurple

shakencat wrote: »

Hey!
i use Laura Mercier Illuminate Primer - Love it.

Great, sorry now, but talk me through this like I'm a child!

1) Nighttime, clean face and moisturuse.
2) next morning, primer
3) straight after primer, on with foundation.

Is that right? Missing nothing?

shakencat

pwurple wrote: »

Great, sorry now, but talk me through this like I'm a child!

1) Nighttime, clean face and moisturuse.
2) next morning, primer
3) straight after primer, on with foundation.

Is that right? Missing nothing?

Night time, clean face and put face cream on (this is what i do anyway!)
next morning, have a shower so face is cleaned again, and moisturiser again (Maybe I'm wrong!)

Then get dressed, cream has dried,
Primer,
I allow it to dry for like 30 seconds haha!

then foundation!

charlietheminxx

Hey I use Estée Lauder double wear too and I have to say, a lot of primers don't agree with me. If it's for a night out, I use the Loreal studio secrets primer, so moisturiser, leave for a couple of minutes, then primer, then foundation.

In the morning I use moisturiser, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then foundation.

It could be that your sunscreen is too oily for your skin and the makeup isn't sitting over it well but please, please do not give up an SPF altogether, it's the most important anti ageing thing you can do for your skin. I would suggest maybe swapping your sunscreen for a more absorbent one. I use Olay complete care beauty fluid with SPF 15 and that doubles as a make up base, so it really works for me anyway.

pwurple

charlietheminxx wrote: »

It could be that your sunscreen is too oily for your skin and the makeup isn't sitting over it well but please, please do not give up an SPF altogether, it's the most important anti ageing thing you can do for your skin. I would suggest maybe swapping your sunscreen for a more absorbent one. I use Olay complete care beauty fluid with SPF 15 and that doubles as a make up base, so it really works for me anyway.

Hmm. I'm using a factor 50... This one
http://www.laroche-posay.ie/product-treatments/Anthelios/Anthelios-XL-SPF-50-Ultra-Light-Fluid-p10057.aspx

Maybe it's not the right thing for under makeup.

StripedBoxers

I can't speak for the double wear but currently I am using a sample of double wear light (second time trying it) and I really can't understand why it is sliding off your face because the light one I am using stays put for ages without creasing, sliding, wearing off etc.

In the morning I wash my face, then cleanse, tone, and apply my moisturiser. I also apply a separate sunscreen, I use this one from soap & glory

http://www.boots.ie/en/Soap-Glory%C2%99-Make-Yourself-Youthful%C2%99-Sunshield-Superfluid%C2%99-SPF50-_1438035/

I wait about 5 minutes, and then apply my foundation, or if I wear primer, I will apply that 5 minutes after moisturising my skin, and then wait until the primer has absorbed in and then I apply my foundation.

If you don't wash/cleanse or moisturise your face/eye area in the morning your skin will be greasy because it continuously produces natural oils even as you sleep, so essentially you are applying foundation over oil and throughout the day your skin is still producing oil so therefore there is a lot of oil building up, and that's what is probably causing your foundation to wear off.

My routine is usuaully this one:

Night time: remove make up (if I'm wearing any) - I use this http://www.boots.ie/en/LOreal-Paris-Skin-Perfection-3-in-1-Purifying-Micellar-Solution-200ml_1299734/

Then I wash my face - I'll use either of these washes - http://www.boots.ie/en/Garnier-Pure-Active-Fruit-Energy-Daily-Energising-Gel-Wash-200ml_1262023/ / http://www.boots.ie/en/Garnier-Skin-Oily-Skin-Clarifying-Wash-150ml_868678/
Then I cleanse and tone using these - http://www.boots.ie/en/LOreal-Plenitude-Re-Nourish-Cleansing-Milk_953571/ & http://www.boots.ie/en/LOreal-Paris-Skin-Perfection-Velvety-Soft-Toner-200ml_1222751/
Then I will moisturise my face using this - http://www.boots.ie/en/Neutrogena-Visibly-Clear-Oil-Free-Moisturiser-50ml_11630/ and in the morning I will use this Vichy cream - http://www.boots.ie/en/Vichy-Idealia-Smoothing-and-Illuminating-Cream-For-Dry-Skin-50ml_1277146/
For my eye cream I use either of these - http://www.boots.ie/en/Botanics-Radiant-Youth-Hydrating-Eye-Cream-15ml_1262001/ / http://www.boots.ie/en/Botanics-80-Organic-Hydrating-Eye-Cream-15ml_1262013/

Eye cream goes under your eyes, putting it on your eye lids can make them greasy so any make up will crease and move/slide.

My routine in the morning is similar but I don't use a facial wash then, I just use a cleanser, and cleanse twice then use plain water on my face. I find using a facial wash twice was drying my skin.

Do you use any facial masks or anything OP?

If not, I can recommend these two, they are great, and should last a while because you don't need to use a huge amount, and you can use them once or twice a week.

http://www.boots.ie/en/Superfacialist-Rose-Intense-Moisture-Mask-125ml_1277156/ - this one is very gentle, yet it leaves my skin feeling plumped and soft. I usually leave it on for 5-10 minutes, the tube says 5 but I've never had a problem leaving it on longer because its so gentle, but it will affect everyone's skin differently.

http://www.boots.ie/en/Botanics-Shine-Away-Ionic-Clay-Mask-100ml_1261993/ - I use this once every two weeks usually as I find that that is enough for my skin, and I only leave it on for about 5 minutes and then use a soft cloth to remove it.

This is another great one but can be a bit drying I found http://www.boots.ie/en/Super-Facialist-Salicylic-Acid-Anti-Blemish-Clay-Mask-125ml-_1273983/

That botanics mask and the slicylic acid mask I only leave on for 5 minutes because any more and they can really dry out my skin.

I have oily-combination skin (oily t-zone and jawline, dry forehead and cheeks) and my skin is very sensitive.

Arbiter of Good Taste

I second the Laura Mercier primer.

I also love the Dermalogica primer. It has a slight tint and goes on like velvet.

Also, a good BB cream can act as a good primer/base. I currently use the YSL BB cream as a primer.

jokettle

pwurple wrote: »

Ok, losing me quickly here.. I'm way out of my comfort zone with this. What is eye cream, does that just go on eyelids? and where is the concealer going? under the foundation? on top of the eye cream?

Sorry, I'll explain better! The eye cream goes under my eyes where I have shadows. I don't think it's supposed to go on the eyelid.

I put on moisturiser first, all over my face and neck, then the eye cream. Next comes foundation, then the concealer goes under my eyes to cover the shadows. I'll usually put on eyeshadow and mascara after foundation and before concealer, just in case some of the makeup falls under my eyes - this way, I can remove the makeup to tidy the area and it won't mess up my concealer.

Maybe "thick" is the wrong word, but I find Double Wear very heavy and a tiny bit goes a long way. It's also very drying on me, and I find that the heavy coverage it provides is almost mask-like. It takes a lot of cleanser to get it off! That's why I was surprised it wears off so quickly on you.

shakencat

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

I second the Laura Mercier primer.

I also love the Dermalogica primer. It has a slight tint and goes on like velvet.

Also, a good BB cream can act as a good primer/base. I currently use the YSL BB cream as a primer.

on a night out i do this..
bb then going out foundation,
during the day its just bb cream!

Tasden

Primer never does anything for me. I've tried loads hoping they'd work but nope.

Have you tried using powder under your foundation instead of over? Sounds weird but it works.

Also make sure you're waiting long enough for your spf and moisturiser to sink in before applying the foundation. Also, try losing less foundation. Sometimes if you use too much it won't sit as well as if you had buffed in a little if that makes sense?
How do you apply it? With your fingers or brush/sponge? Try switch it up and see if it makes a difference.

Lia_lia

I use primer, it really does make a difference for me! Especially with the way the foundation looks on my face. A lot smoother or something. I put on sunscreen, moisturise, put on some Smashbox primer, and then foundation.

Never have needed to use powder or anything with Double Wear, it always stays put. Maybe try some blotting powder, OP? It doesn't add any colour, but I don't know if it really is what you are looking for. Stops shiny-ness, but I don't think it would stop foundation from coming off.

I find it hard to believe that Double Wear is coming off so fast. When I take my make-up off at night it all comes off on the cotton pads I use to cleanse! But then again I do use primer, might be worth giving it a go!

Valentina

I've been trying this tip I read on Mouldy Fruit blog for making your base last and so far I'm really liking it!

After cleansing and moisturising, apply primer and allow a min or two to set.
Then apply a light layer of a setting or translucent powder.
Apply rest of make up as usual.
Finish with another layer of powder.

It sounds a lot but it's not cakey and I find it's really helping my base stay put, especially as I have an oily T zone. I'm using a NARS powder which is triple milled and super fine.

fussyonion

Hi OP, I also use Estee Lauder DoubleWear.

I wash my face, dry it, then apply some moisturiser. I let it dry for about five minutes and then dab some DoubleWear on my cheeks, chin, forehead and a tiny bit on my nose.

I then blend it in using my fingers and it just glides on. It's so smooth and flawless and leaves me looking dewy ALL day.

I really think it's all to do with your moisturiser because I too have used primers and for me personally, they just go chalky and leave me patchy.

So in essence, apply your moisturiser but only let it dry for about four-five minutes..no longer because then the cream will have dried completely and the foundation won't glide on the way it would if you put it on when the cream is still slightly dewy.

The makeup needs something to cling to. It should last all day.

I put my foundation on at 9am this morning. It's now 9.30 and it still looks fresh and dewy.

CaliforniaDream

As you can see from the replies, everyone's skin is different and will react to products in a different way.

Personally, I moisturize and let that sit for a couple of minutes. Sometime I use primer, depends on what I'm doing for the day. I love this one by Laura Mercier. There's different types depending on what your skin type is.
I let that sit for about a minute.
Then I apply my foundation, Nars Sheer Glow, Chanel Mat Lumiere or Kat Von D lock-it tattoo.
I use this expert brush by RT, this foundation brush by RT, Mac 187 or Beauty Blender.
Then I apply concealer over the foundation where I need it.
Then I use this Elf brush to apply Makeup Forever HD powder over my face. A small bit of the powder goes a long way.
That sets my makeup for hours. I might use the powder once again after an 8 hour shift at work but not always.

Try out a few suggestions and see what works best for you. Get samples of other foundations too.

pwurple

Great tips all... I'll start trying a few. Interesting that it's so different for all. It's coming off. Sometimes i have to remove makeup at work, massive difference between what comes off on the cotton pads at 9am vs lunchtime. I wonder am I touching my face a lot or something...

The morning routine of wash cleanse tone moisturise eyecream primer foundation is way too much for me, not practical with prepping the family and getting out to work. Will try the quicker solutions though!

jokettle

pwurple wrote: »

The morning routine of wash cleanse tone moisturise eyecream primer foundation is way too much for me

I never do this, even though it's the "right" way. I shower at night, because to shower in the morning means getting up early and I'll never ever do that. So the "wash cleanse tone" bit is done at night. And I know that dirt builds up on your skin overnight but, realistically, how much dirt can there be (unless your pillowcases are seriously mank)?

So my morning routine is moisturiser, maybe eyecream if I remember it, and foundation. Takes 3 mins all told. Then add other makeup if desired. My typical daily makeup takes 7-10 mins max. If I'm getting dolled up, I might stretch that to 20 mins. So getting it all done quickly is definitely possible!

charlietheminxx

Yeah I am the same. I know the right way is cleanse, tone, suncream, moisturise etc. and exfoliate once or twice a week, but honestly my skin goes NUTS if I do that much to it so I try to keep it simple. Different strokes!

CaliforniaDream

It would be better in the long run to skip the makeup and concentrate on cleansing and moisturising if time is an issue.
You can get away with it for a while but it will show long term.
My routine takes about 15 minutes in the morning. That's from bed to ready to leave if I need to.
Do something while you wait for things to dry in. Brush your teeth, do your hair, make tea etc. My actual makeup application takes me 5 mins max and that's moisturise, primer, foundation, setting powder, blush and mascara.

pwurple

CaliforniaDream wrote: »

It would be better in the long run to skip the makeup and concentrate on cleansing and moisturising if time is an issue.
You can get away with it for a while but it will show long term.

Well, my skin is pretty good already. Never smoked, 2 decades of factor 50+ and some reasonable genes/luck. I really don't think going in to work all suited up, but no make-up is going to look anything other than tired/bonkers to be honest.

Do something while you wait for things to dry in. Brush your teeth, do your hair, make tea etc.

Heh. I suspect we may have different lifestyles. I do the makeup one-handed, with a baby in the other arm trying to get whatever I am using, and have a 3 year old clinging to my leg. Adding tea to the mix would scald the lot of us. I'm looking for efficiency and quality. I have eyebrows shaped, lashes tinted so that cuts mascara faffing. I am willing to go to one more product application in the morning... But not 6 more.

I picked up a primer and will give it a go for a few days.

CaliforniaDream

If you have good skin then you can skip foundation.
Foundation is used to hide imperfections. It looks worse in my opinion to have badly done makeup than no makeup. Especially if your skin looks great without.
Save yourself the hassle.
Otherwise the setting powder will do more for you than primer. Bring it with you to reapply if you need to later in the day.

How Strange

If your skin is good then double wear probably isn't ideal for you. I use a light to medium weight foundation and put some translucent powder over. I've dey skin with oily t zone and my foundation is usually still in place by evening. I'm currently using bourjois healthy mix serum after reading lots of great reviews. It's €16 in pharmacies so budget friends too. I've used a primer underneath but haven't found it made any difference in staying power.

pwurple

The issue with other foundation is sensitivity. I've gone through a *lot* of ranges trying to find something I don't get a reaction to. Including importing stuff from the US and korea.... Estee lauder double wear and a lancome one that was discontinued are about the only ones I don't get a rash from that I can get here.

I am tired, sleep is broken up with the smallies, so I need something alright for the next year or so til they settle down a bit.

I've tried a primer now today and it's kinda icky putting it on. Like a gel consistancy. It's the bodyshop one, maybe there are better ones I could have tried. Feel all clogged up already. Urgh.

Bloomin' makeup! Why isn't it straightforward. Pah.

How Strange

Mac mineralise foundation is very good for sensitive skin. I've got rosacea and very sensitive skin and I had no problems wearing it. The healthy mix serum seems to be good for sensitive skin too as I've had no adverse reactions yet.

Check out beautypedia.com, it's great for finding out what make up skin care etc is good for your skin type.

charlietheminxx

I think you're going to stress yourself out too much over this.

Try one small change at a time.

Swap your sunscreen for a moisturiser with an SPF. No change? Back to old sunscreen but add a primer. No change? Ditch the primer but try a setting spray. If you like how the foundation looks when applied (and it's bloody hard enough to find one that suits in the first place) then you're just going to have to go with trial and error for what will improve its lasting power.

Everyone is going to have conflicting advice here because we all have different skin and different requirements from out products! I would think try one suggestion at a time.

willow tree

Hiya.
Have you tried clarins? I tone, moisture,eye cream, brush my teeth, hair.. then mix a tiny bit of beauty flash balm & ever matte foundation & apply with a brush. I do put a very small brush of powder on nose, chin. I've a newborn & 3 years old & on my own so I do this super quick! I also keep a small bag of spare make up in the car in case I get a minute to do it while waiting to pick up dd etc. I find tools to be so important, ie a great foundation brush.

pwurple

Thanks, have tried clarins skincare range, reacted unfortunately. Your routine is exactly what I'm looking for! Just need the products to fit. I looked up beauty flash balm... not sure what it is? You're using it as a base?

willow tree

pwurple wrote: »

Thanks, have tried clarins skincare range, reacted unfortunately. Your routine is exactly what I'm looking for! Just need the products to fit. I looked up beauty flash balm... not sure what it is? You're using it as a base?

I do but beauty flash balm is clarins too so you may react. I get reactions to some products too, its so annoying. Its all trial & error I guess but get lots of samples especially as you reac. Bare minerminerals do a primer that's not clogging, could maybe work.

pwurple

I might try the bare minerals one so. Have to bin the body shop one anyway, 3 annoying zits today after using it for a couple of days. Felt pore-clogging. It's such a waste of time/money trying products.