On The Beauty Beat: Foundation

light foundation from CharlotteTilbury. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Foundation, Revisited

Yes, foundation. I thought I had sworn it off forever. A few days ago I watched a makeup artist at a cosmetics counter apply this one to a customer with mature skin and was so impressed with how it looked (like her skin, only more even and radiant) I asked for a sample.

I’ve been wearing it daily since and will go back and purchase. It’s really that good. It doesn’t get dry or cakey even after several hours and doesn’t settle into my pores/lines.  (Though I may go a shade lighter than the sample I was given, will test first.) A little goes a long way.

“Le No Makeup” Makeup Look

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation. |  Laura Mercier Brow Pencil in Ash Blonde |
Chanel blush in Rose Bronze | Chanel “le Volume de Chanel” Mascara |
Chanel Stylo Yeux EyelinerTrish McEvoy “Perfection” Lip Color

Do you use foundation?

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31 Comments

  1. I am on my 3rd (or 4th?) bottle of Armani Luminous Silk foundation. I have tried others but nothing is as good. It pretty much does what the one you describe does. In the summer, if I’ll be outside I will use something very, very affordable, but also a great workhorse: Maybelline BB cream. One splurge, one steal!

  2. Thanks for this post. I had to start wearing foundation a few years ago, after having my first of several skin cancer surgeries on my face. While my surgeon does an excellent job, and the scars are eventually near-invisible, foundation has conceal my scars and other imperfections while offering SPF for prevention. My surgeon recommends Jane Iredale mineral products (as does the Skin Cancer Foundation), and I think they are beautiful make-up products as well. I use the powder mineral foundation (SPF 20) over my moisturizer and then a mist to set it. I’d wear this foundation even if I weren’t a skin cancer patient — it’s that lovely! That said, I am always open to trying new things and will see if I can get a sample of the foundation you recommend here.

  3. I’ve used the Bare Minerals Loose Powder Foundation (and lots of things in their line) for over ten years. I have very dry skin and these work SO well. Then last year I switched to the Fabulous Forever line: think i saw it first from Josephine’s blog? For months I loved it: a primer, foundation, blush, concealer. Then, who knows, it started flaking on my skin. Nothing would stop it. Nothing else in my routine/care had changed. As soon as I put it on, whether with fingers or brush, many areas would just flake right off. So now I’m back to Bare Minerals and loving it! I do think for older skin (I’m almost 70), and dry skin with tons of moisturizer, the powder coverage is very good.

  4. I’m a Foundation junkie. And in the past month discovered Fenty foundation, which is fabulous due to the 40 shades. But I’m absolutely blown away by The Ordinary Serum and Coverage Foundations. O.M.G!! The blendability is crazygood! The lasting power is amazing and the price is ridiculously affordable—downright inexpensive! I was sent some of the products and reviewed the foundation on my blog. I cannot say enough about this!!!

  5. I had a similar experience of watching a makeup artist apply the Charlotte Tilbury foundation to a mature woman’s face. I was so impressed with the results, light with a natural glow, that I asked for a sample. I haven’t been using foundation for the past few years, preferring to just to keep my face well hydrated and using a very light powder. I am now using this foundation. It doesn’t dry or cake into lines and lasts an entire day, as you stated! I also like the Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks; long lasting and moisturizing. A neutral color is Pillow Talk. Thanks for another great post! I always enjoy your blog and have been blossoming into my own style with your help!

  6. I have used Aveda Inner Light Tinted Moisturizer for years. Love the sunscreen, the fewer chemicals, and the very light coverage.

  7. Hi Susan, I’ve just ordered this foundarion and can’t wait to try it. I always find your product reviews to be spot on and never hesitate to click on the link. I’ve just returned from ten days in Paris and put many of your suggestions into action- so I always looked appropriate in either Eileen Fisher washable crepe pants or the very similar pant from Chicos (which seems to fit me a bit better).
    Thank you for your good work!

  8. I have that foundation, and love the primer that goes with it as well. I also recently found Bobbi Brown’s liquid foundation, which works for me now that she has some shades that aren’t yellow based. I use that on days I want a little more coverage.

  9. I use the very same foundation and love it. I use #2 fair shade.
    I also use the mini miracle eye wand. It is an under-eye cream that illuminates, conceals and lifts and not settle in the creases. It really is amazing!

  10. I use Bobbi Browns CC cream ( has a 45 SPF) and any little thing that needs to be hidden I use my trusty Nars cover up. The spa I use does recommend Jane Iredale for its natural coverage.
    I have no time in the morning for a full on maquillage. Red lipstick, eyeliner but ALWAYS sunscreen or the CC cream….and drink lots of H2O!! Hilarious story: two friends in their thirties visited me in hospital recently. I am in my sixties. One (a total make up junkie) asked if she could make a personal comment…” I hope you don’t mind me saying this but your skin is awesome, it’s better than mine!” My other young friend agreed saying that my skin looked ‘luminous’. I had been NPO for three days but hooked up to an IV for fluids…the power of hydration! When the IV was removed I returned to my prune-y self and vowed to consume more water daily. I see some spas are now using the IV therapy …drink up!

  11. I have been using moisturizer 24/7 since age 20. People comment on my skin all the time and undercut my age by 15 years. Having said that, I use Clinique eye cream, moisturizer, Smashbox primer, and just a drop of Clinique tinted BB cream. Blush, mascara and lip gloss and I am set to go. Lucky to live in the Seattle area where we have a moist climate 3/4 of the year.

  12. This is a nice product however, SPF15 is not sufficient and adding another layer over the foundation seems to defeat the purpose. I didn’t see Revision Intellishade (matte) on your list. My dermatologist uses it and she’s over 60. It is very forgiving and moisturizing.

  13. Hi ! I’ve been enjoying reading your blogs. I’m Asian with age spots and fine lines around my eyes. Ive been using It Cosmetics SPF 50 your skin but better CC Cream. Loving it so far, medium coverage and brightens my skin. Spots are a bit lighter after 2 months.

  14. Thanks for the recommendation. For everyday makeup I just use Neutrogena mineral sunscreen SPF 50 and a little Laura Mercier foundation powder. I’m going to look at the CT foundation next time I’m at Nordstrom. I do value your opinion.

  15. I like Chanel’s Vitalumiere – extremely light and moist. Good for mature skin that just needs some light rather than a lot of cover. Sort of fixes the powders – blush, etc. – and seems to keep my skin looking nice longer than nothing.

  16. This is intriguing me….I don’t use foundation and haven’t for many years. Tinted CC or BB cream with SPF. However, I don’t use anything with parabens….do you know if this is paraben free? Thanks.

  17. I have 3 types of foundation that I currently use, all are Elizabeth Arden. A total addiction is the Mousse which has been around for a very long time. Though it has no SPF, I have protection from the SPF moisturiser underneath. It is like a whisper of silk on the skin. My other go to, particularly for a hot day, is the Sponge on block. Whilst it looks quite matte in the compact, it goes on beautifully.
    The real difference for me though has been the application of primer. Also instead of a brush or fingers, I use a slightly moistened, egg shaped makeup sponge. A final spritz with Avene Thermal Water sets it for the day.

  18. I will try this! Knowing my skin, what color should I get? I still swear by Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge over a light foundation or sunscreen.

  19. I have skin discoloration and need foundation for certain areas but lately have been wearing it over a tinted sunscreen called MyChelle. I love it! I put that on my entire face and then use Estée Lauder Double Wear Light or Clinique Even Better foundation on the T-zone and any dark patches on my cheeks. Personally, I don’t like how my face feels WITHOUT some type of foundation coverage–maybe from living in polluted L.A all my life, but I just feel too “exposed.” P.S. I saw someone recommended Revision Intellishade Matte–that was my go-to before finding MyChelle which is about 1//3 the cost.

  20. No. I have never worn foundation, just sunscreen or tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. I can’t used chemical sunscreens so that limits my choices. I used to wear the one by Stila until it was discontinued, then I switched to Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, which is an even closer match to my skin tone.

  21. I am currently using a Charlotte Tilbury foundation. A slightly heavier version. I find it excellent. However don’t like all of her make-up. I find it expensive and the containers tend to break easily.

  22. I googled it, the ingredients are not in line with my “organic” practices. I can not use parabens, and this product does use parabens. If it didn’t have this and a couple other ingredients, I’d gladly give it a try. Thank you.

  23. Hi Susan, I’ve been using this foundation since May this year, and like you I’m a fan. It’s light, it feels good and it stays put. With so much to like, I’m not planning on switching any time soon.

  24. Many, many thanks for this recommendation. I purchased this, along with the primer, powder, concealer and the excellent double-ended brush last week. I really should say husband purchased it all as part of my birthday present! I have slight rosacea, although not very apparent but I know it’s there. I also don’t like foundations that are very “wet” and feel slippery all day. The Charlotte Tilbury gives excellent coverage and a little goes a long way, most importantly it looks dewy but not wet and doesn’t feel wet and it stays put all day. The powder I just use lightly on the T-zone. The sales assistant gave me two pots of the Magic Cream to try – whether it helps with staying power I don’t know but I thought it excellent. The colours come up rather dark and the assistant thought I was a Medium 5 or 7 – which surprised me as I have never been a medium colour ever. I did take a mirror and look at it in daylight and said I needed to drop down to Fair 3 – which is a good match and I could probably quite easily drop down another shade. As a consequence I would urge anyone to be careful on the shade choice and to check it in daylight before purchase. As an aside I saw my mother yesterday and she asked what makeup I was using and said it looked fresh and natural.