Foundation, tinted moisturiser, BB cream

Citygirl1

It seems these days there are so many products to choose from, how do you decide which one to settle on?

Do you use tinted moisturiser or this new BB cream, if so whats the difference between the two?

Do many people still use traditional foundation and/or powder, does anyone still use the cream to powder foundations that were popular at one time? I used to use them for ease of use but then found they were looking heavy on my skin but I have heard they are lighter now so am wondering whether to try it again but I don't want to waste money.

Currently I am switching between No7 tinted moisturiser and No7 essentially natural foundation and Clinique moisture surge tinted moisturiser, the latter being the most expensive though it does last a while.

Maryland_Cookie

Hi Citygirl,

I tend not to wear foundation, ever really, but have got a Virgin Vie foundation/power combo which I use occasionally which I like. But after the hype of the BB cream decided to go for the Number 7 one. There was a thread on here earlier and most folk preferred the Garnier BB cream which I've not tried.

I like the convenience of the BB cream in that its a moisturiser, primer, tinted moisturier and sun screen - the Number 7 cream goes on really nicely, with a nice soft even coverage, without being heavy.

Could you nip into Boots and get a couple of samples to try and see which you prefer?

nonnatus

I've never worn foundation in cream form because I think it looks odd on my skin, kind of like its just sat there as an extra layer! I've got freckles and suspect they are the problem...

So I moisturise and prime with a green tint from clinique. Then I brush over a mineral powder, the loose variety. The last one was from Maybelline but they seem to have stopped doing it so am searching for a replacement. When I asked in Boots about it yesterday, the lady said their Mineral powder was being repackaged and would be available in a couple of weeks.

I get compliments on how fresh my skin looks and I'm the wrong side of 40 so I must be doing something right :rotfl:

VfM4meplse

I think it's a matter of what you get used to. I wore foundation for years because my skin required the coverage, as I've got older it's improved and now I'm happy to use a mineral powder only (MAC Studiofix is my choice as it looks so natural but still covers flaws). I never go out w/o applying a layer of sunblock though, even in the winter.

adelight

BB creams are hyped up to be miles better and different to tinted moisturisers but they're actually very similar and most have far less of the "healing" abilities than the original ones did. BB cream is the new term for tinted moisturiser or tinted primer basically! Some brands offer them just for colour and coverage, others have added ingredients like salicylic acid to even skin tone and fight blemishes. If you don't need much coverage, look for a multi-tasker.
What do you want from a foundation? Do you have problem skin? Sensitive skin? What level of coverage do you need? BBs generally offer the same coverage as a tinted moisturiser, but then some are quite thick and pasty! It's best to read reviews of any products you're considering on a site like https://www.makeupalley.com and test the products out. Go out without foundation on, if possible, and ask counters to swatch colours on your jaw line, also do it yourself with brands that don't have a counter. Then look at the colours in natural sunlight and see how they match up to your skin. If you find one you really like and it's from a counter, see if you can get them to apply it to your whole face then wear it for a day to see how it holds and your skin reacts.
BB creams come in a limited number of shades and won't work for you if you have a slightly unusual skin tone, say your skin is very fair or cool toned.

I do the same as nonnatus, minerals over something green toned. I used to use the clinique redness remover but now I just use Lily Lolo green concealer around red bits (sides of my nose!).

I don't know much about cream to powder foundations but I imagine there are lots out there still, look for things like "matte" or "sateen" finish. Une do a BB cream with a cream formula that you sponge on then dries.
There are lots of "foam" and "spray on" type foundations coming out atm. I think Maybelline is bringing out a foam one which expands like hair mousse in your hand and you just slap on. They also have an airbrush type foundation and a few high end brands have air brush foundations too. Tie your hair out the way and spray, what could be easier?

bratz81

I use BB cream but a proper BB cream, not that stupid Garnier one which is basically a tinted moisturiser. The BB cream I use if from Korea but I get it on Amazon (thankfully I don't have to go all the way to Korea!)

glowgirl_2

Don't waste your cash on loads of different products just but a decent foundation with good pigmentation and that agrees with your skin, you can buy a liquid foundation and then customise to suit your skin each day by adding nothing or mixing with correctors, mositurisers or highlighters or you can buy a decent mineral powder foundation and do the same as above, you save cash and have a product to suit everything your skin throws at you:)

Citygirl1

adelight wrote: »

BB creams are hyped up to be miles better and different to tinted moisturisers but they're actually very similar and most have far less of the "healing" abilities than the original ones did. BB cream is the new term for tinted moisturiser or tinted primer basically! Some brands offer them just for colour and coverage, others have added ingredients like salicylic acid to even skin tone and fight blemishes. If you don't need much coverage, look for a multi-tasker.
What do you want from a foundation? Do you have problem skin? Sensitive skin? What level of coverage do you need? BBs generally offer the same coverage as a tinted moisturiser, but then some are quite thick and pasty! It's best to read reviews of any products you're considering on a site like www.makeupalley.com and test the products out. Go out without foundation on, if possible, and ask counters to swatch colours on your jaw line, also do it yourself with brands that don't have a counter. Then look at the colours in natural sunlight and see how they match up to your skin. If you find one you really like and it's from a counter, see if you can get them to apply it to your whole face then wear it for a day to see how it holds and your skin reacts.
BB creams come in a limited number of shades and won't work for you if you have a slightly unusual skin tone, say your skin is very fair or cool toned.

I do the same as nonnatus, minerals over something green toned. I used to use the clinique redness remover but now I just use Lily Lolo green concealer around red bits (sides of my nose!).

I don't know much about cream to powder foundations but I imagine there are lots out there still, look for things like "matte" or "sateen" finish. Une do a BB cream with a cream formula that you sponge on then dries.
There are lots of "foam" and "spray on" type foundations coming out atm. I think Maybelline is bringing out a foam one which expands like hair mousse in your hand and you just slap on. They also have an airbrush type foundation and a few high end brands have air brush foundations too. Tie your hair out the way and spray, what could be easier?

Hi, thanks for your replies everyone. I like a light glowy coverage, I do like tinted moisturiser but sometimes feel I need a foundation, years ago I just used to use pressed powder and my skin was fine with that but now I am 50 I don't know what to use for the best really. I do love Clinique make up but its getting expensive now and a lipstick from them is £16 now.

green1970

I love Holika Holika Petit BB Moisture (about £6 delivered on Ebay) which has the coverage of a full foundation but still looks dewy and sheeny but it is for very pale skin only. For a similar effect, I would try Make Up Fo Ever's Face & Body Foundation which comes in lots of different colours -

clairibel

I have been debating this question for a while now, i'm not a fan of foundation so thats a no-no for me, I just don't like the full heavy coverage and want to wash it off after a bit, although i do like mineral foundation by Inika but its a bit pricey for everyday.

I used to love the coverage when i had bad skin, a necessity rather than choice but since skins okish (still get spots at 38 but minor compared to my youth) i want bit of uniformity but with good sunscreen. My skin is combination.

So it was between BB and Tinted moisturiser. I have read the BB thread and researched both items....my conclusion is to go for cost effective high spf tinted moisturiser as i don't need a primer.

So i bought the Stila oil free tinted moisturiser spf 30 after reading BB creams are hard to colour match (on a budget and can't be buying loads to check) and great at first but clog pores after a while. I have also used the ELF tinted moisturiser spf 15 (this is when i though spf 15 was ok for the face) but found it too pearlescent for a full face for me, but good for under eyes.

You can find Stila really cheap, i paid £5 del from Amazon. I got shade fair 03 and cannot recommend enough, makes my skin look more uniform but still shows my skin (freckle city), warmer and younger, i will be repurchasing after trialling it for a few days now. Just for the fact thats it spf 30 with benefits however it did gather in my nose to mouth crease over the day (older folks only) and i feel it accentuated my crows feet a bit, but maybe me being too obsessive!

This is just my opinion but wanted to share as it may help others as i was so not sure. Stila also got voted best tinted moisturiser in the 21st century beauty bible...believe me i've done my research

Wow who would have thought i could talk so much about this topic

Citygirl1

I am still in a quandry about this one. I have a sample of the No7 BB cream and it seems to look a bit flatter than their tinted moisturiser. I do like the No7 essentially natural foundation and have received compliments wearing that but then again it is a foundation and not as convenient as a tinted moisturiser or BB cream, the Clinique TM is nice but that gives a more matt finish and costs £21 for a small bottle, though it does last a while. I have received compliments when wearing the No7 TM but not the Clinique one, still don't know which one to replace when they run out.