Foundation help please! 😭

Jun 26, 2016

Scarlett R.

Whenever I try putting on foundation it looks valet but doesn't cover anything! I have very dark freckles which are impossible to cover, even with concealer.

I also have very dark under eye bags which I just can't cover! I colour correct, use lighter concealer, apply it in a triangle shape but it just seems like nothing helps! It's really effecting my self confidence and people often ask be if I got punched in the face.

I hope you can help. Love from me ❤️

Jun 26, 2016

Scarlett R.

*cakey

Jun 26, 2016

Margarida V.

Hello! Have you tried the TooFaced "born this way" foundation, or one with full coverage from Clinique?
Also, you can try to use an orange concealer on your freckles before you apply your normal concealer, it's kind of colour correcting, I don't know if it works on freckles. Personally I like freckles but what matters is whether you like them or not! If nothing works, try to embrace them and wear makeup that goes with it.

I hope it helps! Xx

Jun 26, 2016

Rebecca J.

Hi Scarlett! What's your skin type and what skincare/ foundation products are you using? Cakey makeup can sometimes be down to products not being suited to your skintype.

Jun 26, 2016

Alexis C.

What foundation are you using and how are you applying it?

Jun 26, 2016

Scarlett R.

Thank you so much Margarida V I will definitely try that out. :)

Jun 26, 2016

Scarlett R.

I'm using the pore-feasible primer with the tattoo foundation. I exfoliate my face once every 3 days with 'One smooth operator' and wash my face with QV face wash. Rebecca J.

Jun 26, 2016

Scarlett R.

I'm using Kat Von D's tattoo foundation and buffing it in with a flat top XO beauty brush. Alexis C

Jun 26, 2016

Alexis C.

Try stippling/patting the foundation in with that brush rather than buffing.

Jun 26, 2016

Roz X.

Alma has freckles and she's very helpful regarding working with foundation to achieve various coverage levels. I'm sure she could be of great help.

Also, how eyes are set effects your undereyes. Since I was a child, I always had eyes that gave a shadow..some people often think are due to fatigue or a health issue. It can easily make someone self-concious. I completely understand your frustration. The reality is you can color correct circles and brighten eyes, but heredity and how eyes are set are important factors to consider.

Lighter concealer draws attention to the area. I say color correct very lightly or use a color correcting concealer and then a slight highlight in the greater orbital area...not right up under the eye. I prefer my concealer to be a peach tone that's very close to my own complexion. I never use product directly up under the eye outside of my very fluid foundation; that's personal preference. Also, use a light hand with concealer. Layering product results in a cakey mess that looks unnatural. Dry eyes, too much powder, being dehydrated, this also can effect undereye appearance...as can light. Great lighting works wonders, including during application.

I find a little highlight in the inner corner and just below the brow brings a nice brightness to the eyes.

Jun 27, 2016

Serene J.

Here's a few tips,
1. make sure the foundation is made for your skin type
2. make sure to exfoliate so it can hit the surface properly
3. invest in a good blender or have a fairly good technique
4. If you want it to look more flawless, blend Upwards, the only issue with this is it will fill your pores a bit so make sure to wash your face

Jun 27, 2016

Moa E.

My favorite full coverage foundations are kat von d lock it foundation and tarte amazonian clay foundation! They cover almost anything on me.

Jun 28, 2016

Jacqueline H.

If your freckles cover most of your face, I would recommend choosing a shade of foundation that falls in between the different shades of your freckles, If you choose a foundation shade that's too light ( a shade that matches your jawline to neck), it can turn your freckles an off kind of gray color. If the abundance of your freckles are on your cheeks, I'd go with 2 different shades of foundation: one for the more freckled areas, and one for your 'non-freckled' skin. I now it sounds like a pain, but it's really not too much different than buying one foundation shade for your skin in the summertime, and one foundation for your skin in the winter. ;)


With freckles, I tend to go with a foundation that has a more lightweight sheer texture to it. If you don't, your face can end up looking a few shades deeper than your chest.(I tend to match to the neck and/or chest depending on exposure of said areas).

Most people assume that one has to automatically go to very heavy coverage thick foundations, but when working with freckles, you cover with color, not thick opaque texture. In other words, what you want to do, is find a more sheer to medium foundation that has a slightly pink or peach undertone(yes...even if you have a yellow undertone), which will camouflage freckles quite nicely. You want to build coverage as you go, and concentrate on areas where your freckles are darkest, and use less foundation in/on areas where your freckles are lighter. It sounds more complicated than it really. is. ;)

As with everything, it really comes down to application, and if you want to go with a heavier coverage foundation(Dermacolor, Kat Von D. Dermablend, Keromask), moisten a sponge and go over your skin after applying the foundation in tapping motions. Doing this will thin the foundation just enough to give you a more realistic natural type of finish.

The only more full coverage foundation that I use on freckles is Estee Lauder's DW Maximum Coverage Camouflage for Face and Body (Blue Tube). I haven't come across anything that I could not cover with this product. A little goes a very long way, and it will cover your freckles. :)

Covering under eye discoloration, if on the severe side, IMO, should be addressed with a corrector. Most discoloration in the under eye area falls in the blue or blue/violet category. You just have to use the right corrector for your skin tone to neutralize the discoloration.

For Fair/Light Skin: You would need a Pale Coral to neutralize. A corrector that is pale orange with yellow undertone.

For Medium Skin: A Salmon colored corrector...Medium orange with yellow undertone.

For Moderately Deep Skin: Orange... Just straight and true orange.

For Deep Skin: A Rusty or Copper Orange.

Once you have the correct corrector/neutralizer, just take a bit of it over the discolored area with your ring finger. Then set it with a small amount of powder. Then, go back over the neutralized area with your concealer and gently tap a bit of it over the area. Don't rub it back and forth, if you do, you'll life up what you just put down. Just tap the concealer over the area and set it with a small amount of powder again.  ;)

Jun 28, 2016

Roz X.

Wonderful advice. Let's hope Scarlet returns and sees this thorough and thoughtful feedback.