Newbie with primer (everything) problems.

Mar 16, 2017

Leigha M.

Hi!

So I have a new interest in doing my makeup.
I used to just put foundation on and it would do what you'd expect it to do. Crack, fall off, flake etc.

I bought a primer and decided to go with Anna Sui's Gel Foundation Primer. I live in Japan so Sephora and Mecca aren't easily accessible to me. I do have some high end brands (Bobbi Brown, MAC, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Chanel) though.

Anyway, I moisturized my face, waited about 10 minutes, primed, foundation (Cover Fx with beauty blender), setting power (Bye Bye Pores). My foundation still falls off, comes up cracked, doesn't really hold, face gets really oily.

I tried just the primer, foundation and setting power but then my make up is flakey and still falls off.

I wore just the primer today and still noticed cracked, dry skin. The primer had turned white and melded itself into my skin leaving me looking like I just had this thin, dry, film of whiteness all over my face.

I exfoliate and moisturize but that's the extent of my skin routine.. I'm also combination skin.

Any tips and tricks would be most appreciated ;)

Mar 16, 2017

Alexis C.

I think that primer just isn't right for your skin so try switching to a different one.

Mar 16, 2017

Hannah K.

I have a feeling it's not your primer or foundation, but your skincare.

Mar 16, 2017

Taylor G.

Hm that's strange. I would say either your skin is just dry and maybe you need a different moisturizer. Are you exfoliating every day? Or do you use a regular daily cleanser as well.
Also, I've had that happen when my primer doesn't work with foundation because of formula differences.

Mar 17, 2017

Leigha M.

I was exfoliating every day but I kept reading that it was bad on your skin? I don't use a cleanser at all. Any recommendations? I was going to head to The Body Shop and pick up a toner, cleanser and a better moisturizer.

Mar 17, 2017

Taylor G.

Exfoliating every day is rough on your skin. I'm not sure about anything from the Body Shop because I've never had any of their products. I use Cetaphil daily cleanser and I like it but I'm not sure your skin type and I'm always afraid to recommend skincare things to people lol.
I hope you find some products that work for you!

Mar 17, 2017

Taylor G.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about skincare will answer :)

Mar 18, 2017

Lia L.

Cracked, oily in some places and dry in other places skin, etc, sounds like your skin is struggling and very unbalanced, those are common problems arising from over-exfoliating. I suggest you to stop doing everything and go back to basics, you need to cleanse morning and night, wash your face with a gentle cleanser, avoid everything with Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, or any medication for acne. Stop exfoliating, as moisturizer suggest you CeraVe Moisturizing cream with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Give your skin a break to recover itself don't use heavy, irritating or complicated products. My strongest suggestion of course is to visit a dermatologist.