I've been for my makeup doing today and I've had foundation applied professionally for the first time... and it looks really good!!!

I've never worn foundation before as I do have quite good skin (at its worst it just takes some concealer to cover up imperfections...) also I'm really fair and I've got freckles so anything heavy will look daft.

She used a cream foundation and it looks spot on... I look far more made up than if I dont wear any... I just want to look more glam of an evening really...

Does anyone have any reccommendations for choosing a shade (as in where to test) - putting it on my mush in boots is gonna be a bit cringe-worthy! and also any brands to avoid?

Cheers girlies!

Cadbury tends to be the one I personally avoi........... sorry, wrong thread! :o

I think I need polyfilla :(

ive always tested on the back of my hand.
my foundation is origins (cole bros carries it) and the people there are really helpful. theyll take a cotton swab and test a sample of color for you (i think they tested the back of my hand and against my chin line as a second color test)

you can also try to mix foundation colors to make whats perfect for you.

The best place to try, I've been told, isn't the back of your hand like most people think, but on the underside of your arm, as its closest to the colour and texture of your skin. The best place is along the jaw bone but most places won't let you do that.

I don't know about brands to avoid, but personally, I love colour adapt by Max Factor, a bit pricier, but you only need a little and the coverage is amazing.

Blue Circle was always pretty good for foundations!

You should always test a foundation on your jawline - after all, that's where you're going to be wearing it, not on your wrist!

StarSparkle

I use Estee Lauder Ideal Matte in Pebble, SPF 8. Blends perfectly.
It was £16 but a tiny dot goes a very long way!

i'm one of these people that have to try everything thats advertised on the tv so have tried loads of foundations and found fault with them all apart from one. Its no7 foundation called intellegent colour there's only 3 shades to choose from...light , medium and dark you'll choose the colour nearest to your complexion and it will match your skintone just hiding blemishes. I love this foundation as it goes on like a mousse its so light that you really dont feel like you have any on i wear it every day and it lasts ages too, just remember to shake the tube first otherwise it comes out all watery.

i'm one of these people that have to try everything thats advertised on the tv so have tried loads of foundations and found fault with them all apart from one. Its no7 foundation called intellegent colour there's only 3 shades to choose from...light , medium and dark you'll choose the colour nearest to your complexion and it will match your skintone just hiding blemishes. I love this foundation as it goes on like a mousse its so light that you really dont feel like you have any on i wear it every day and it lasts ages too, just remember to shake the tube first otherwise it comes out all watery.

I agree with this recommendation. After trying out loads of foundations over the years Boots No.7 Intelligent Colour is the only one I find that does actually blend in really well and saves loads of hassle. I always put it on with a sponge. I won't use any other these days. Re testing I have always been told to test it at the base of my thumb (palm upwards) and by my wrist.

I'm very fair and have a few freckles, the best one for me is max factor colour adapt liquid. Make sure you apply with a proper sponge though.

I never get any 'tidemarks' when I use this one, but when I got a tan, I had to go a shade up as my face ended up looking too pale... lol.

I've been for my makeup doing today and I've had foundation applied professionally for the first time... and it looks really good!!!

Twinkle, where did you go to get your make up done? I keep on meaning to do this but feel a little :blush: ! How was it?

I agree with this recommendation. After trying out loads of foundations over the years Boots No.7 Intelligent Colour is the only one I find that does actually blend in really well and saves loads of hassle. I always put it on with a sponge. I won't use any other these days. Re testing I have always been told to test it at the base of my thumb (palm upwards) and by my wrist.

It's the only one I've tried and I hated it. I looked better without :(

Twinkle, where did you go to get your make up done? I keep on meaning to do this but feel a little :blush: ! How was it?

To Sheffield College funnily enough... I'm my best mate's guinnea pig for all sorts while she's doing her Beauty Therapy training... Later this week I'm having my eyelashes tinted and permed... oh my word! :hihi:

It's the only one I've tried and I hated it. I looked better without :(

Well I am advancing in years.............!!!!:hihi: :hihi:

It's essential to get one with good coverage to hide all those broken thread veins. They can make you look like such a chuff when you've had a drink or two.

Don't try it anywhere but on your jawline/cheek area, it's like putting a hair of trousers on your head and saying yeah they fit, I'll take them. :rolleyes:

I went to a big make up counter in Boots recently as they had a special offer on and I fancied trying some of the products I'd not tried before.

I worked in beauty from 17 and, to some extent, am still involved so I like to think I know what I am doing. I never tell consultants though until the end as it pressurises them and I like to hear all the speil. :D

First of all she was going to try it on my hand:o as I was going to pay £27 for this product I wanted it on my face so I said, it's ok I'm not wearing any make up I've come out purposely to try it.
As I've got yellow toned skin, the first foundation she showed me was a) far too yellow and b) three shades too dark for me! Foundation should completely blend to your skin tone - if you want to go darker, then add bronzer, blusher or tinted product! She should really have told me that they didn't have the product I wanted. I bought one in the end but I'm not impressed and have gone back to my Estee Lauder Doublewear for evening and using this up until I've done for work.

My tip - use a foundation brush - they are amazing! You only need the slightest of product, don't get wastage like you do with your hands and a brush. Practise first but they are brilliant. Only touch the ends in a small amount on the back of your hand.

I've tried the intelligent colour stuff and for a light coverage foundation it's pretty good. The max factor one too that's been recommended. I also rate the Tesco's Barbara Daly one in a square bottle - that's brilliant for an economy foundation!

The look for Spring is matte foundation btw with the bright eyeshadows, but if you are like me over 30, you are better going for a semi matte. I do like matte for evening though. I personally think it looks spot on with some sun gel from Body shop especially if you've got fairly even skin and just need a bit of colour!

I think finding the elusive right shade of foundation is one of those pain in the backside thing that a woman has to go through. I used to think that the ladies over the counter knows what they are talking about, but not all of them knows their product or knows about foundation in general. That's from my own experiences. Cos a lot do want to make commission on their own products.

I recall going into Harvery Nics wanting to ask about foundation at the Max Factor counter, only to see a mob of girls with badly chosen shades of foundation on their own faces. I just kept thinking that it looks so unnatural. I don't know whether it's the lighting within the store, but it looks way too much. I ended up going to the Laura Mercier counter, and did actually like one of the product tried on my face. I'm fairly happy with this shade, but if you stand close, you can tell the slight shade variation. I don't know if there is the exact perfect shade out there at all.

I think finding the elusive right shade of foundation is one of those pain in the backside thing that a woman has to go through. I used to think that the ladies over the counter knows what they are talking about, but not all of them knows their product or knows about foundation in general. That's from my own experiences. Cos a lot do want to make commission on their own products.

I recall going into Harvery Nics wanting to ask about foundation at the Max Factor counter, only to see a mob of girls with badly chosen shades of foundation on their own faces. I just kept thinking that it looks so unnatural. I don't know whether it's the lighting within the store, but it looks way too much. I ended up going to the Laura Mercier counter, and did actually like one of the product tried on my face. I'm fairly happy with this shade, but if you stand close, you can tell the slight shade variation. I don't know if there is the exact perfect shade out there at all.

When it comes to choosing make-up and skin care, you know far more about what's best for you than any sales-person, who looks at your face for a few seconds. You know if yellow-based foundations tend to go orange on you after half an hour, that sort of thing. Use your OWN judgement about what looks good on you, and remember that an individual make-up line may simply not cater for your particular skin colour/tone.

I'm very pale, almost white, and I've been engaged on a never-ending task to find the perfect foundation for me. As soon as I find one that even comes close, the company will inevitably stop making their foundation in that shade. Prescriptives used to be good, but they've now stopped making my foundation shade TWICE on me, so I've given up on them!

It's tough and not fair, but I find the more expensive cosmetic lines cater much better for pale skin than the more 'well-known' brands.

StarSparkle

I'm very pale, almost white, and I've been engaged on a never-ending task to find the perfect foundation for me. As soon as I find one that even comes close, the company will inevitably stop making their foundation in that shade. Prescriptives used to be good, but they've now stopped making my foundation shade TWICE on me, so I've given up on them!

It's tough and not fair, but I find the more expensive cosmetic lines cater much better for pale skin than the more 'well-known' brands.

StarSparkle

The Tesco's one that i recommended would really suit you StarSparkle and they go fair enough for your skin :thumbsup:

When it comes to choosing make-up and skin care, you know far more about what's best for you than any sales-person, who looks at your face for a few seconds. You know if yellow-based foundations tend to go orange on you after half an hour, that sort of thing. Use your OWN judgement about what looks good on you, and remember that an individual make-up line may simply not cater for your particular skin colour/tone.

I'm very pale, almost white, and I've been engaged on a never-ending task to find the perfect foundation for me. As soon as I find one that even comes close, the company will inevitably stop making their foundation in that shade. Prescriptives used to be good, but they've now stopped making my foundation shade TWICE on me, so I've given up on them!

It's tough and not fair, but I find the more expensive cosmetic lines cater much better for pale skin than the more 'well-known' brands.

StarSparkle
I think I've come to that conclusion too. I have heard that Prescriptive and Max Factor are two companies which has a wider range of shades which covers everybody's skin tones.

I think it's also kind of misleading too, when a shade in the sunlight differs to one that is under evenng light, like tungsten. I've seen photos of the "ghosts" effect when flash is used on a face on a night out. So it does make you think twice though.