Plea for help with foundation and primers!

Tons of people swear by the Smashbox photo finish primer. I found it made my foundation look a bit patchy, but my cheeks are very dry. If you're aren't it's worth a try.

I am in a very similar position. I have oily skin with blemishes so I ve been trying the rimmel lasting finish 25 Hour foundation which stays on my skin really well. With some setting powder on top it stays matte for longer than any other drugstore foundation I have tried, plus it has no SPF so doesn't give flashback in photos. It might be worth a try for you, alternatively I have heard that some mac foundations can be very good but are a lot more expensive.

I rarely wear make up, but have been making an effort for the wedding! I have the maybelline baby skin pore eraser and maybelline foundation. I have an oily t zone so I have a clear powder from rimmel, clear complexion in transparent I think, to dust over it all to stop the shine. I've tried it all out a few times and it looks great, really natural and very comfortable. Hope that helps!

Oh, I used to wear the foundation without the primer, I think the skin doesn't feel as nice, and I have definitely noticed I don't get spots when using the primer, whereas I did wearing the foundation on its own

I don't use a primer but I can't recommended Estée Lauder double wear foundation highly enough. I also have combination skin with blemishes and have tried a lot of foundations. It is £28 a bottle but I'm coming to the end of a bottle I've used since March so it does last.

Smash box primer is really good. Mac photo finish foundation is brilliant lasts ages too x

I just tweeted her asking what foundation she uses and she came back saying 'Bare Minerals and Make Up Forever One', so there you go! I use Bare Minerals myself - great coverage and feels so natural to wear.

Mineral foundation is loaded with titanium dioxide though, not what you want when you're having a lot of photos taken!

I swear by Clarins everlasting foundation. It's pricey at about £24 a bottle, but I found it perfectly matched my skin and it doesn't need a primer base.

It is so difficult to point you towards the perfect thing without seeing you/touching your mug etc etc etc BUT there is hope.

1) Skincare is at the heart of all good make up... Lets tackle the combination skin THEN find a foundation that works?

2) Primers are awesome... I have just written a post on them on the blog (see below) BUT they're relatively new and not a deal breaker. A cheeky counter girl tip? Ask Smashbox/Clinique/Bare Minerals etc etc etc if you can try one of theirs. They should be obliging and you will have enough for the big day in your sample size pot

3) Please discount Doublewear (Estee Lauder) its an amazing foundation yes, but it flashes back in photography terribly. (Again, see blog for more detail, I posted about it a day or two ago)

4) If you want to avoid the *luxury* end of foundations, Bourjois and Rimmel get really positive feedback, but personally I would rather spend a little more (£24 ish) for Clinique's Superbalance. It's a "Smart Foundation" meaning it nourishes where you are dry and soaks up oil where you are oily. It's also SPF free (yay for photography) and extremely light. It's my personal bridal foundation of choice when working with brides I have yet to find someone it doesnt suit.

Sorry for any typo's - I'm hunched over in the spare room trying to type both speedily and quietly so as not to wake the little one -_-

Hope I helped... I'm always around if you want to talk more in depth I have combination skin too so I know where you are coming from XOX

Aren't you brilliant!!! Thank you, going to investigate now!!!

Wow, massive help, thank you I had hoped you'd respond!!

i am having a monthly dermologica facial, use Liz earle cleanse and polish, dermologica toner and moisturiser and exfoliating and using a clay mask once a week to try and control the skin. No huge difference yet though....

agree completely in spending a little more on the right foundation, just need to find it. Very interested to try the super balance after your tip, I have tried other cliniques and find they slip off but worth a try. Also have heard so much good on here and from others about the bare minerals but was worried about flashback/coverage. But I guess would work for every day??

My favourite fundation has been Ex1. It looks exactly like skin and does not settle into fine lines or dry patches. It has no flashback and is great for sensetive skin aswell. I dont´t even use primer underneath, because of it´s natural blurring effect. It has a velvety finish and can be build up to a full coverage if desired.

It is gorgeous for photography which is why lots of celebs like Rosie HUntington-Whiteley wear it on the red carpet. It has a nice yellow undertone and cover all rednes. The best thing is: It even is a match to very fair gals.

If you are very dry, just use a rich moisturizer and you´ll be fine. There is no retouching required either, just have blotting papers on hand at it´ll last the whole day.

Hi! I agree with the other comments, the smashbox primer is wonderful! Another alternative to that which I would suggest is the bare minerals prime time primer which has a pretty similar feel on the skin. I use this with a bare minerals liquid foundation that I have so far I have found to look really lovely in photos (worn in my engagement shoot) and has helped with the overall appearence of my skin since I've been using it! A product however that I couldn't live without is the Caudalie Vinosource SOS serum which leaves me skin feeling and looking amazing so with this I feel I could get away with not using a primer as my skin is super soft and hydrated I hope you find what you're looking for!

If I was working on you I would use Dior Forever foundation - it's oil free, covers everything and makes your skin look perfect but your skin still looks like skin! Unlike Estee Lauder Double wear which is a no no for bridal makeup as it ghosts out on camera when photographed with a flash Dior Forever is photosafe.

It's best applied with a Real Techniques stippling brush which will push the foundation into the skin and make the foundation look more natural.

If you've an oily tone I highly recommend putting OCEight mattify gel on on oily areas first. I've had this gel in my kit for years and it amazing.

If you're going to invest in the foundation choose a shade with a zero on the end of the number as it's yellow tones and more natural on the skin. Try 3 colours on your collarbone as you want to match your foundation to your body NOT your face. Check the shades outside the shop in daylight and buy the shade that's dissappeared into your skin.

Hope this helps!

Juliet

www.bridalmakeupbyjuliet.co.uk