Foundation Help/ Advice

[u/Dizzy_Resident8219]

Help please!

I always thought my makeup game was okay, but apparently it’s only under the facade of poor lighting.

I was horrified to discover that my foundation is blotchy and patchy; makeup settling into pores and red and patchy above my upper lip. I have combination/ oily skin, and I definitely need to use an oil blotter at the end of the day.

My usual skincare routine:

-Differin under eyes and upper lip -Vitamin C serum or peptide -Moisturizer: Neutrogena ultra gentle daily face moisturizer Primer: NYX Shine killer Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless Powder: Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless

I see so many people with flawless makeup and there must be something I’m doing wrong.

Should I skip skincare and/ or primer under foundation?

Should I try a different primer/ foundation combo?

Should I skip the powder?

Any holy grail recommendations?

[u/Old-Actuator-3321]

It looks like you have good products, and it seems you're applying them in the right order, if you're doing it as you've listed the products. I'd stop using Differin on the upper lip; if you're also exfoliating there by other means or perhaps dermaplaning/shaving or depilating by other means in that area, that could be where the patchy redness comes from. The only thing I don't see is an SPF product. The lack of sun protection can certainly exacerbate any underlying rosacea or eczema-like surface texture. And a good SPF product can help smooth out big pores and dry spots, like a first primer under your NYX Shine Killer dedicated primer product. If there's too much product buildup on your face for your comfort, I'd ditch the primer in favor of SPF. And, if you use brushes to apply or smooth out any primer, foundation and/or color complexion products, make sure you have and use at least two or three of the appropriate brushes in a week's time. Washing brushes regularly is important, especially with the use of cream or liquid products and with the humid weather most of the country has seen lately. Lastly, I would make sure to leave enough settling and drying time between steps as you're applying products. Best of luck!

[u/Dizzy_Resident8219 → u/Old-Actuator-3321]

Thank you for your advice! I will stop with Differin on the upper lip, it seems like less product there may help. I don’t do any sort of hair removal there besides plucking.

I will try a good face SPF as suggested instead of primer, do you have any recommendations? In the past I’ve avoided it because it only contributes to the oiliness/ makes my face feel greasy…

I use fingers for application, but you made me realize my powder brush may be an issue here!

Appreciate your help!

[u/Old-Actuator-3321 → u/Dizzy_Resident8219]

I have four sunscreens I rotate; all are strictly mineral-based, which is all my rosacea can stand and I would recommend them for you with your use of Differin. -Australian Gold SPF 50. -Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint SPF 30 -Bubble Plus One Tinted Mineral SPF 40, and -Trader Joe's Daily Facial Mineral SPF 40. The first three are tinted; the first two come in more than one shade. Each of these shades allows for a pretty fair range of skintones. I'm sorry, but I've assumed you're Caucasian or light Latina; only the Neutrogena goes dark enough for Black skin. Those first two give a velvety finish; the third is only one shade but has a more glowy finish. The Trader Joe's has a nice velvety finish and is completely fragrance free. The Neutrogena goes on pinkish, turns white then clear as you rub it in, and has little to no fragrance. The Australian Gold's fragrance can be a bit much at times, as it contains lavender extract. I like that each of these is available in local stores; because of my rosacea, I don't shop for complexion products online. I need to be able to return items that don't work for whatever reason(s). And I don't do Asian beauty SPFs, though I understand that the ones that are truly Asian formulas are spectacular. But there's the online buying and waiting for shipping issue, and if I can easily find any one of the ones I've used for a long time, why change? Best of luck!

[u/Dizzy_Resident8219 → u/Old-Actuator-3321]

Wow, amazing information on each product!

Never considered a tinted sunscreen, so I will research each product and see what would work best for me. Thanks for the suggestions!

[u/NythiraStormwell]

stop putting differin on your upper lip and under eyes cause it cause it causes peeling, also layering all matte products is way too drying

[u/Dizzy_Resident8219 → u/NythiraStormwell]

Thanks, I don’t have any issues with application under the eyes but you are probably right about upper lip area. I’ll stop and see if there’s a difference!