Given up on powder foundations?

[DarleneH]

I've been trying to use pressed powder bases off and on, but I think I'm going to have to give up on them as my only foundation. They just accentuate crepiness and lines too much, and most don't cover enough for me. The ones that do cover enough are the shiny ones, or they're the expensive ones I can't afford right now. I've been using the few I have (L'Oreal Airwear, PF Mineralwear, Bare Essentials, a couple by Maybelline & Cover Girl) as blotting powder throughout the day.

Any other mature ladies have those thoughts? Or have you managed to get them to work for you? Maybe with heaps of moisturizer or concealer on the crepey areas?

Dar

[Zoe]

I'm 33 and have lines around my eyes and worry lines on my forehead (that's what comes of having kids!). I've been raving about Everyday Minerals lately. I am on week 2 of using their samples (and it looks like I still have another 2 weeks left of the product). It gives me the most natural finish and doesn't settle into my lines. They have 2 formulas, the Glo and Semi-Matte. The Glo looked pretty bad on my oily skin but the Semi-Matte is beautiful! In fact, I sometimes will mix 1/3 Glo with 2/3 Semi-Matte and it still looks very natural.

I also like Aromaleigh but they are a 2nd choice. Both the Glissade and Voile are great at not settling into my lines. But I prefer EM because I found a perfect color match, whereas with Aromaleigh I had to mix 3 colors to get the closest match (and it still wasn't as perfect as EM).

www.EverydayMinerals.com (http://www.EverydayMinerals.com)

www.Aromaleigh.com (http://www.Aromaleigh.com)

EM will give you free samples but you just pay the shipping (a little over $4, I believe). They give VERY generous sized samples, so you would definitely still be saving money over purchasing those teeny weeny baggy sample sizes from Aromaleigh.

[squirrel]

Have you tried Aquasmooth? It goes on moist and then is a semi-matte finsh. When it gets dry I just add a few drops of glycerin.

Can you apply the powder with a brush instead to control the coverage and then mist with floral water or Evian?

Otherwise, I second the mineral foundation suggestion if you still want a powder to work with. check out www.mineralmakeupmania.com (http://www.mineralmakeupmania.com) for more info.

[AndreaH]

I've been using mineral foundations for over a year now. Here's what I do to help avoid the dry look. After applying the minerals, I spritz with MAC Fix+ and voila! No more dry, cakey look! My skin looks natural with a bit of glow to it. I guess you could try spritzing with any hydrosol and it would do the same thing. Good luck and I hope that helps some!

[archer]

Oh my goodness...I just phoned Everyday Minerals and got the most superb customer service I've ever encountered. I spoke to Andrew about having the free samples shipped to me, but I had questions about whether the product goes on lighter than the shades I was looking at on my computer screen. He was so helpful and even offered to put one of their aestheticians on the line if necessary, but I didn't need more info - he was just super. I also found out that they are now offering Color Correctors which you can add to your powder - a great discovery for me because I have been eeking out the last of a now-discontinued lavender pressed powder that is great for my yellow undertones.

Thank you Zoe for touting this line!

[Sia]

I'm 36 years old and have converted my mother, who is 55 years old, to Cover Girl's TruBlend Powder Foundation! We love this foundation so much. For about 15-30 minutes after applying, it may look powdery, but after it settles on your skin, it's perfect! No line accentuation at all and the application is so fast that I've cut my makeup application time in half. Coverage is great too. I've thrown all my other foundations away. I hope they never stop making this foundation.

[Laurie_lu]

I'm 37 and have been having good luck with L'Oreal Bare Naturale mineral foundation.

[archer]

O.k. I tried the Everyday Minerals and it's not working for me. It's like BE in that it gives me a very "made up" look with a crepe texture to my skin. I'm going to try the CG TruBlend mentioned above, but I suspect that I'm going to end up with my old standby: Max Factor Pancake, the one in the round pan that you apply with a damp sponge. This is the only foundation that does what I want: can go on for more or less coverage, doesn't get shiny, and looks natural on my skin (fair). Max Factor has been reducing the choice of shades over the past years and I'm afraid that in this age of minerals and other magical trendy ingredients, Pancake is going to disappear. I hope not because it's the reason all those older movie stars looked so good.

[Laurie_lu]

You can get the same look from loose minerals as the Pancake by applying your minerals wet. Sprinkle some minerals onto a small dish. Swirl your brush into your minerals and then spray some water onto your brush and "paint" the minerals onto your face. It'll look steaky at first but will dry to a very matte finish that lasts longer in my opinion.

[archer]

Thanks, Laurie, for the tip. I've read that minerals can be used with water but haven't tried it. Seems like a lot of extra steps (and clean-up) though. I'm at an age that requires so many more maintenance steps (!!) that I appreciate simpler routines. I've been trying powder foundations exactly because it would be so easy if I found one that worked for me and lasted most of the day. Everything just turns way too shiny by lunchtime - and I don't have oily skin - or looks like I have a pound of makeup on.

[lizerino]

I am 55 and was also searching for a good powder foundation. I tried so many, expensive to cheap and then I found the CG Trublend. It's great...no settling into fine lines, no caking, no heavy look, but I agree that it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to settle to the great look.

[TLC_Mom]

I think I am going to try the TruBlend! I had also given up for a few years on powder foundations because every one I tried just accentuated the flaws and made me look older. But I love the *idea* of a powder foundation and have always wanted to find one I loved - so hopefully the TB will be my holy grail!

[Gayle0000]

I'm 37 and I avoid powder foundations completely. I've tried enough now to know that powders make me look older.

My skin is dry to begin with. The powder foundations will look good for about 30 minutes...and then its dry, dry, dry. I look old. Liquid formulas for me!

[DarleneH]

I am 55 and was also searching for a good powder foundation. I tried so many, expensive to cheap and then I found the CG Trublend. It's great...no settling into fine lines, no caking, no heavy look, but I agree that it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to settle to the great look.
I've looked at Trublend several times since it was mentioned here, and it's just too pink. When I hold the powder next to my arm, it's obviously very much pinker. Oh well, still looking. :(