Ladies with fair skin, looking for foundation/powder recommendations

[ThelmaLou]

It seems like every foundation I try is a shade too dark and looks way too heavy or caked on. I want something light and natural looking that will even out the appearance of my complexion (don't we all?) Looking for suggestions on both foundation and powder. Also, am I right that loose powder tends to give a more natural look than pressed powder? What are your favorite drugstore brands/lines? Or do you prefer the higher end makeup from companies like Clinique?

[Ellie]

It seems like every foundation I try is a shade too dark and looks way too heavy or caked on. I want something light and natural looking that will even out the appearance of my complexion (don't we all?) Looking for suggestions on both foundation and powder. Also, am I right that loose powder tends to give a more natural look than pressed powder? What are your favorite drugstore brands/lines? Or do you prefer the higher end makeup from companies like Clinique?

I started wearing mineral make-up because other kinds of make-up looked caked on, even the high end ones. Of course, I bought Bare Minerals, which I guess is high end, but the advantage was that I was able to go to a Bare Escentuals store and have a knowledgeable person help with choosing the right colors.

Artistry now has mineral make-up. As soon as I have used all my Bare Minerals stuff, I will try Artistry.

[pianoplayer]

I have very, very pale skin, but as I age it can look blotchy. I don't always wear makeup, but when I do, I love Prescriptives' Flawless Skin Foundation. I use it very sparingly, and it evens out my skin tone without looking obvious. I don't always even use powder, but when I do, I use loose powder that I dab on lightly with a brush, after which I run a cotton ball over my face to remove any extra.

For me, one of the benefits of Prescriptives has been the ability to match my skin tone and shade very closely . . . also the ability to try it in the store so that I don't get home with it and decide it's awful.

[Marie in Oh]

and I use Clinique Balanced in the square bottle-- color Fair 02. There is one color lighter. It matches my pinkish, freckly, fair skin perfectly. It is the first time I have found foundation that matches and doesn't make a line on my neck.

[shell in SC]

I have the same problem. I am fair, and I have the. HARDEST. TIME. finding foundation to match my skin tone. . .either too dark or too light. I did find a color at the MAC counter that I think matches OK (at least DD says it does). It's VERY light weight and you can barely tell that it's on. I don't know what type it is though. i know it comes in a tube, like lipstick. I can check when I get home if you're interested.

shell

[Mommy22alyns]

I like the Bare Minerals as well. They have a nice powder called Mineral Veil that's good for just softening things up and keeping away the shine. I just recently bought the lightest shade of foundation they have and it looks the most natural of anything I've ever tried. I've never had good luck with liquid foundations.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

I have recently started using Clinique again. I was using this one from Mary Kay, but they discontinued both the formula and the shade. The new ones cause break outs and I cannot use them anymore.

I am blonde and fair and hate thick make up. I don't use makeup daily. When I run out for an errand, I often just do a quick powder and go. But when I use foundation, I like it to be almost invisible.

So, with Clinique, I found that the Almost Makeup works really well. Very light and not cakey at all.

Also, I use the Stay Matte powder in Stay Buff. There is a shade lighter than that even.

You might want to go to a counter and give them a try to see if they work for you.

[Tami]

and they have about 8 shades of pale! You can order a free sample from www.everydayminerals.com

There is a little bit of a learning curve to the application. Also, if you are over 30, I recommend the Semi-Matte formula.

HTH!

[Beth in Central TX]

I use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Foundation Porcelain Ivory Light 1 with SPF 18 for my fair skin. I also use Coty Airspun Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage.

I picked up Light 2 by accident the last time I had to get foundation. It's darker than I would like, but it's not too noticeably. I don't wear a lot of foundation anyway; I just prefer a little coverage when I do put on make-up.

[Cheryl in NM]

I also have fair skin. I found I was in between the Mary Kay colors. Recently I tried Maybeline's Pure Makeup Line. Since I live in the desert I don't use powder. When I sold Mary Kay, though, they did tell us that loose powder did provide a more polished finished. That's what I always thought also, FWIW.

[Rhonda in TX]

It's pricey, but I don't wear it every day, so it last me forever. I have some dark patches on my face and I use the max coverage concealer brush on those areas before applying it all over. It's not heavy at all and I really like it. I also use the Mineral Veil.

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

It's pricey, but I don't wear it every day, so it last me forever. I have some dark patches on my face and I use the max coverage concealer brush on those areas before applying it all over. It's not heavy at all and I really like it. I also use the Mineral Veil.

Yeah, for light makeup days, I skip the color altogether and use the Mineral Veil in the place of foundation or powder. It's a good one to start with because you get a nice, sheer, practically colorless powder for $20, plus it will give you a feel for the texture without dropping a ton of cash.

Barb

[TN Mama]

I too am very fair skinned and use Bare Escentuals. It is expensive when you compare the cost to drug store formulas, however I do wear it every day and one container will last me about a year.

I heard that Target was going to start carrying BE so you don't have to live near a BE store or Sephora to be able to purchase in person!

Best of luck :)

[JennyB]

I am very pale and this is the first foundation, powder and blush that actually matches and isnt too pink or dark. I have tried all different kinds of make up. I really love Loreal Lip infinity lip stick. It actually lasts all day. Through eating, kissing and normal wear. I am so happy to have found this make up.

Jenny B

[Stacy in NJ]

The lightest color (beech) in the Individualist line from Estee Lauder is great for pale skin. It's more of a moisturizing cover than a true foundation.

[Stacey in MA]

The brand is Youngblood, and I have to buy it at the dermatologist's office. I LOVE it and it's worth the money (about $30 for the face powder).

I used to use Artistry (LOVED that too), but got off it when we moved and couldn't find a dealer. It's worth the $$ too.

Both give you nice color, even for fairskinned people like me! And the mineral makeup is non-clogging (I had acne issues when pregnant, so needed the dermatologist).

Anyone deal in Artistry? Know how I can find a dealer? I'd love to go back to them - a little cheaper than the derm. office, and maybe more accessible.

GL! - Stacey in MA

[inquirer]

I love my Trish McEvoy brand ... I have fair and blotchy skin, but his evens it out beautifully. Her stuff is expensive, but the products are worth the cost. I is so light, i feel like I am not wearing anything at all.

[Jenn in Mo]

Another vote for Everyday Minerals. I love that you can get the free samples. They have the BEST brushes anywhere. I use Original Glow for my dry skin. With mineral makeup, just be sure to start with a little and put on 2nd or 3rd coats. This way, it will slowly cover without making you look cakey.

[ThelmaLou]

I'm so excited to have so many trails to follow! I'm selling a bunch of books tomorrow night at a used book fair. I think I might use a portion of the money to try a pricier foundation/powder combo than what I'm used to. I'd love to put an end to my makeup woes!

[E_Edgerton]

I use Loreal True Match in soft ivory. It is inexpensive, available most places (drugstores, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) has a respectable SPF and doesn't feel heavy. Good luck!:)

[Bess]

I have very fair skin and love my Bare Minerals "Fairly Light" shade.

[UnPrairieMuffin]

They have a new competition compact for bare minerals now, and that is what I bought two weeks ago when I bought foundation. I'm pretty fair (no tanning for me), but I like the powder type coverage rather than actual liquid foundation. I suppose it's a time crunch for me.

[stephanie]

It seems like every foundation I try is a shade too dark and looks way too heavy or caked on. I want something light and natural looking that will even out the appearance of my complexion (don't we all?) Looking for suggestions on both foundation and powder. Also, am I right that loose powder tends to give a more natural look than pressed powder? What are your favorite drugstore brands/lines? Or do you prefer the higher end makeup from companies like Clinique?

I'm fair toned as well, and I've found that Bare Minerals works best. It's light and covers great. It's also good for complexion and fine lines. The downfall is that it is pricey. It does last for a long time for me, though. HTH!

[3lilreds in NC]

I'm pretty fair and I have good luck with Mary Kay. I wear Ivory 105 when it's cold, and Beige 305 in the summer. Beige 305 sounds dark, but it's really closer to an Ivory 205 - which they don't have. :-)

MK has mineral foundation now, too, and you would probably do well with the Ivory 1 shade. I've been very pleased with it.