Need Good Foundation Make-up

Updated on February 22, 2014
L.D. asks from Modesto, CA
24 answers

I'm 44, Caucasian, with fine lines and wrinkles. Does anyone have a recommendation for a drugstore brand of foundation that won't look dry and cakey but will look moist and smooth as well as give good coverage? Preferably in a long wear formula. (I know - I may be asking for the impossible!) I don't have the time or money to go to the dept. stores. Any ideas would be appreciated!

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I am an avid Clinique fan and only wear Clinique products for makeup and cleansing.

You mention they are too expensive but if you look at the bottom line, they are not any more expensive because when used properly they last a LONG time plus you get a high grade quality product. As far as department stores, they are everywhere around here and takes about 5 minutes to get to 3 shopping areas OR if you have a Sephora they sell many brands to choose from. It is worth it to me to get quality.

The reps will give you samples to try for a week or two as well. The product I use is in a compact and called "even better". I use it everyday, just a light amount, then loose powder and it lasts me a good 4 months per container. So, $31 divided by 4 is $7.75 a month which is not a bad deal.

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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

No matter what kind of foundation you choose, use a primer. Doesn't even have to be an expensive fancy type. ELF sells a great one for $6. You may be able to find it at Target.

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/primer/mineral_fa...

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J.C.

answers from New York on

If you must go with a drug store brand, try Loreal. It's Lancome's sister product and works very well.

I use Bare Minerals. I have oily, over 40 skin and it works great. I put more where I need it and less where I don't. It doesn't show in wrinkles unless you pound it on where they are.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I'm going to second the Clinique motion. Your main amount of time will be just at first, because it will take some time to find the right kind of makeup for your skin, and the right shade. But you will have an expert working with you, and I have found that I've never been high-pressured (because they want their customers to keep coming back).

Clinique isn't as expensive as some other department store brands, but you'll be paying more than you would at a drugstore. BUT... I wear foundation every day and one bottle of my makeup lasts me a half year or longer.

Another plus: twice a year they have a "Bonus Days" event, which doesn't mean the prices are lower; it means that if you purchase what you need then, you will be given some trial sizes of several products. Consequently, I haven't had to buy lipstick or mascara for years. So it works out well budget-wise.

No, I don't work for the company. This is not a commercial!

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C.B.

answers from Boston on

I am 53 and buy Nivea Soft cream and mix in a few drops of foundation to create my own cream foundation. Recently I just used a plastic spoon to mix more foundation into the Nivea jar so no more mixing in my hand. Super moisturizing and as much or little coverage as you want.

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S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

i've found that smoothing DHC's velvet coat on before anything else gives my aging skin a wonderful, smooth, soft surface which makes foundation (or just a touch of blush and powder) glide on and stay put. i love it!
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Orlando on

I would stay away from powder. The matte finish gives you that dry cakey look unless your skin is properly moisturized and in balance. That is the key to getting make up to look smooth, natural and to stay put all day. If your skin is out of balance, the makeup will not look right, no matter how much you put on. At our age (I am 46), less is more. Good skincare and then a tinted moisturizer to even out skintone. Or try a BB cream(more coverage) or CC cream(less coverage, but evens out your tone and gives a healthy(not shiny) glow.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Revlon PhotoReady foundation is really great, nice and light, let's my skin breathe. Sometimes I'll just wear a primer and some under eye concealer.

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R.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm the same age. I've been using mineral powder for the past 8? years. I love it. The liquid foundation looks caked on. Mineral powder looks very natural. You can have Bare Escentuals do a demo on the store for you to see. Hopefully, you'll have a good make up artist. A bad one will do a bad job. Then maybe you can narrow down what you like and find a more affordable brand.

Tanya

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

I use MAC compact powder but with it, so it won't look drying, I also use a facial moisturizer. I find this works better than IF I used a liquid foundation..
I am thinking that you needn't use MAC (although it does last a long time) you could buy a dry powder foundation from Walgreens and do as I do, which is after you apply it, then put some moisturizer over it. the results have been good.. I am 49 and still get lots of compliments on my skin. That's not because I have such great skin either, but rather, I think the combo of the powder and my own moisturizer (that doesn't make me break out ) covers really well and gives a smooth finish..

good luck

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I like the Revlon Photo Ready products - the creme (skin perfector) and the powder. Sometimes I just wear the powder, or I just use the creme to cover up "problem" areas and then finish with all over powder - seems to blend good and not look too much like "make-up" for me. I don't always wear make-up and I hate stuff that makes me look fake or like I have a mask of make-up on. This stuff doesn't make me feel like that, goes on smooth and natural looking.

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I.O.

answers from McAllen on

I like Revlon's Flex something ColorStay line. It doesn't rub off. I think that you should use a good moisturizer, too. I actually blend Lubriderm lotion with my foundation and rub it in together. It gives me good, natural-looking coverage, and my face isn't dry at all. Oh, and it is long-wearing. Check it out.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Well, for the best coverage with the most natural look I wear Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and pressed powder from Sephoria. But, when I am looking for something less expensive that still does a pretty good job I buy Physicians Formula, you can get it any where including Walmart.

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❤.I.

answers from Albuquerque on

I use Cover Girl. They have a foundation and powder in one product called aquasmooth. It comes in a blue oval shaped compact and costs about $8.00. It's not cakey at all.

E.A.

answers from Erie on

I like Almay, it's the only one that actually matches my skin tone. My skin can be "blotchy" b/c I'm a redhead with very fair skin and Almay also covers those areas well.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I used to wear Mary Kay Summer Beige and Natural Beige. I wore make up almost every day. I got new foundation and suddenly it was orange on my face.

I tried and tried and tried to find a new base but eventually gave up and haven't worn makeup in years.

Then I did another facial with a Mary Kay rep and I tried their new mineral powder and was amazed at the coverage. I am back to using it. The small canister of powder will last me a long time too.

So I suggest you call a Mary Kay person and at least try a facial and see if the mineral powder will work for you.

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Rimmel has a great one for drugstore use.
E.L.F. does, too.
Plus none of these brands do animal testing.
I would try Rimmel. Good coverage & you can usually find a $1 off coupon in your weekend paper.

If you can eventually get to the mall & spend a bit more, my choice is MAC. (Edit)

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J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

It's not a drug store brand, but I would recommend Make Up Forever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation sold at Sephora. Both my mom and I use it. Won't look dry or cakey at all with good coverage.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I like Aveeno tinted moisturizer.

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K.C.

answers from Denver on

My favorite is Pur Minerals. Similar to Bare Escentuals, but I found it's not as drying on my skin. It isn't a drug store brand, although you can buy it online or at Ulta.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I used to wear Mary Kay Summer Beige and Natural Beige. I wore make up almost every day. I got new foundation and suddenly it was orange on my face.

I tried and tried and tried to find a new base but eventually gave up and haven't worn makeup in years.

Then I did another facial with a Mary Kay rep and I tried their new mineral powder and was amazed at the coverage. I am back to using it. The small canister of powder will last me a long time too.

So I suggest you call a Mary Kay person and at least try a facial and see if the mineral powder will work for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm in my 50's and have tried lots of different foundations. The only one I swear by is Cover Girl "clean make-up" foundation. Go slightly lighter than your actual skin tone. I don't put a lot on, just enough to even out the skin tone. It really is nice, it doesn't look like you're wearing make up.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I like Almay Smart Shade Anti-Aging makeup. It comes out looking whitish, but blends very well when applied. Not cake-y and feels very natural.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Merle Norman in the tube. $35 but lasts forever!!! Love it. Lasts all day
and still looks good at the end of the day.

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