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In case those labels aren't big enough to be legible, we have from left to right:MAC Select Tint - NC20
MAC Select Tint - NW20
Estee Lauder Double Wear - 1N1 Ecru
MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NW15
Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid - Ivory 010
Revlon ColorStay Combination/Oily - 150 Buff
To my eye, none of these comes close to a perfect match for my skin. Now - I know it's my arm not my face, but they're not that different in colour, I promise you.
The ironic thing is, the worst matches are the Estee Lauder, and the Studio Fix (er, my current orange-face foundation) both of which were matched by a supposed professional!
The ColorStay is easily the best match for me, but a week of using it left my skin in such a bad state that I just don't dare risk it again. If only......
It's strange too how NW15 in SFF is actually darker than NW20 in Select Tint. What's up with MAC and their colours- why is there no regulation of shades across the different formulations? Also, I wish they had a wider range of shades.
Are there any other pale skinned ladies out there who have the same problem? Have you managed to find a foundation that matches you? If so - please share!
Have you tried Mineral foundation? I swear by Lily Lolo and I'm fairly pale myself. They have paler shades than the one I use and the best thing is you can get decent sample sizes of a few shades to try first. It's the only foundation that causes me no problems with spots, in fact I always switch back to it when I break out as I think it actually helps the healing process.
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I've found that NARS sheer glow is genuinly amazing. Im NC15 in mac and studio fix fluid was my holy grail until i brushed some sheer glow over my face!! Id love to have some NW15 in my collection so if your looking to sell the SFF please let me know.
RépondreSupprimerErrrr, so yeah, brands to check out for pale skin, NARS and chanel maybe? or did you look at the very lightest shade of revlon colourstay?
i dont even know why im asking. drop by a NARS counter and get them to colour match you... my sheer glow is my 'no foundation' foundation ;) haha
sorry if this was a bit of a ramble
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That's so true, finding a perfect shade is always such a nightmare! I spent maybe hald an hour at a Revlon stand trying to decide on a shade, esp that there were no testers! Finally I got the lightest, Ivory, thinking that for most brands the fairest color is still too dark for me, but this time I was convinced Ivory was way too pale. Anyhow, when I got home and tested it on my face properly, I found it's actually a great match! The best shade I've ever come across so far. Oh, and I was matched at MAC Pro store for NW20, which I find is really really too orange; well, maybe I could pull it off with some fake tan, but not on bare skin. xxx
RépondreSupprimer@loveaudrey - how do you find the coverage? My concern is that have some redness round my nose, so over the past couple of years I've found myself gravitating to the more full coverage foundations..I imagine mineral foundations to be lighter? I love the idea of it being 'skin-friendly' though, and doing samples, not nearly enough places do.
RépondreSupprimer@Cat - ha ha, rambling is good! ColorStay was good on the colour side of things, I just found my skin reacted badly to it - sods law! I should give Sheer Glow a try though perhaps..they have a pretty wide range of shades don't they?
RépondreSupprimer@Rocaille - I've heard people say before that foundations is where MAC really falls down, and I'm starting to think perhaps there's some truth in that. I'm going to have to do some more online research I think..perhaps there are some other drugstore gems I can try out for now.
RépondreSupprimer@Cat, PS...I'm undecided on what to do with the SFF, but if I do offload it, I will give you a shout for sure!
RépondreSupprimerI just use a creamy concealer around my nose and under my eyes to even those bits out a bit, and skip foundation everywhere else unless I'm going somewhere special.
RépondreSupprimerI think Classified Cosmetics ERA in R2 would match you better, and this hasn't caused any problems on my picky skin.
@Grace London - thanks for that recommendation, I shall go and investigate that right now...
RépondreSupprimerBeing pale, I struggle too...lately though I have been using Illamasqua's Rich Liquid Foundation in 135... or there is 125 if you have more of a yellow undertone :)
RépondreSupprimerI don't have fair skin but it's light, almost medium. If you have access to BECCA I hear they have a large range of skin color without the orange. I've got two on order right now and hoping these work well. Also, you may know about it...Temptalia.com has a public spreadsheet of foundations as a resource. Maybe picking the closest match that you have right now and cross-referencing with other foundation brands. It may give you some other options to try? Good luck! It's so frustrating for me too!
RépondreSupprimer@Rebecca - I've never tried any Illamasqua..it's probably time I looked into it. Thanks for the tip"
RépondreSupprimer@aestheticcoo- thanks so much for heads up about Temptalia - what a wonderful spreadsheet! Be sure to post your thoughts on the BECCA when you get it, won't you?
I am rather pale, I have started using mineral based loose foundations and "custom" mixing myself. That seems to be the best way to get a match. I rarely wear liquid foundation because of the awful way it makes my skin feel/look. The power takes some getting used to, I often make a mess with it, but it looks better than anything else I've tried.
RépondreSupprimerI use L'oreal True Match- I don't have the label on it but I think it was Beige Rose but just try them out :) Or Dainty Doll by Nicola Roberts is on ASOS :)
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