Does this makeup make my face look big?

September 21, 2009 3:06 PM

What kind of foundation should I use for my greasy forehead that doesn't = breakouts?

I have mediocre skin that's pretty dry on my cheeks and pretty greasy on my forehead. I've been using Bare Escentuals mineral makeup as my foundation for a while, but it just doesn't last. And my forehead still looks shiny.

What kind of foundation can I use that will be nice and even, de-shine my forehead, and won't make me break out?

posted by santojulieta to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 comments total)

I have similar skin and have found the same non-coverage issue with Bare Escentuals bare minerals. I really like MAC Studio Fix.
posted by meerkatty at 3:10 PM on September 21

This is not meant to sound snarky, but I've found that ditching foundation entirely is the way to go for me. Instead of using foundation, I just use moisturizer (I have pretty oily/greasy skin, but Oil of Olay is great for that), and then use loose powder over that. It makes my complexion look smoother (just like foundation does), but I look less made up, more natural, and my skin is much clearer. Also - no more foundation smudges on anything I own.
posted by pazazygeek at 3:17 PM on September 21

Seconding pazazygeek. But, if you're stuck on looking for foundation, Clarins makes a good product. Really, anything that says non-comedogenic shouldn't contribute to your breakouts.
posted by honeybee413 at 3:59 PM on September 21

I used to have the lovely skin tone that meant I could get away with no foundation, but it seems as I move closer to 30 that I'm getting rosier cheeks. And not pleasantly rosier, either.
posted by santojulieta at 4:15 PM on September 21

I use Everyday Minerals, after having the same issue with Bare Escentuals not lasting all day. They have a bunch of different levels of coverage. I use Intensive extra coverage and it does a good job of covering red areas and acne scars, if that's important for you. Because they have so many shades, finding the perfect match for your skin tone can be difficult. They used to offer free samples, which helped with that, but they seem to have discontinued that in lieu of $5 sample sets.

Surprisingly, the single best thing I've found for avoiding shine and making the foundation last all day is to use a primer before applying the mineral foundation. Two kinds that I really like are Tarte Clean Slate and Philosophy The Present. I was skeptical about using primers because my skin has ALWAYS gotten super shiny by the end of the day no matter what kind of foundation I used, but with either of those products my skin is totally matte all day long. It's amazing. Not only is the primer great for keeping the shine away, it is also really good for smoothing the dry, flaky skin on my cheeks and the little lines around my eyes. God, that description makes my skin sound disgusting! The primer really makes a world of difference, though.
posted by frolic at 4:42 PM on September 21 [1 favorite]

The foundation I've been loving these days that hasn't broken me out at all is Alima Pure Satin Matte foundation. It comes in tons of shades and you can purchase fairly large samples cheaply on their website to find your correct foundation color. The coverage is heavier than BE, but it feels light and creamy when you put it on. I highly recommend a soft, flat top brush (and more specifically, mini plug!! Sonia Kashuk's flat top blusher brush which you can get at Target for under $20).

I've dealt with skin problems for years and have an inkling that your combination skin is due to you over-cleansing/using too harsh of a cleanser for your skin. What may be happening is that your cleanser is stripping your skin: since your cheeks aren't oily to begin with they just end up drying out. Since your forehead area is oily, it rebounds in oiliness to get back to its equilibrium. You can PM me for advice in this area if you care to, but you didn't ask for help with this in your OP so I'll discontinue hijacking of this thread!

You may find that it would help to wear a foundation primer and (if you don't already) set your foundation with a translucent powder. Regularly blotting your face throughout the day (as opposed to once your oil has already melted through your foundation) can be a big help as well.
posted by wiretap at 4:48 PM on September 21

OMG. Laura Mercier's tinted Moisturizer is for you. It apparently comes in a new oil-free option, but I use the regular version, and I have an extremely oily T-zone, with dry cheeks. It's worked wonders!
posted by dpx.mfx at 5:05 PM on September 21

Try Mineral make-up - my skin is dry, so the powders were wrong-wrong-wrong for me, but seemed ideal for an oilier skin. iD Bare Escentuals looked really pretty good on me, excepting the dry feeling it gave me. I got a lot of comments to the effect of "fresh as a daisy" and "I didn't know you were wearing make-up".
posted by lottie at 5:53 PM on September 21

Dang - sorry. I see you've tried it. Apologies.
(maybe use up what you've got with a primer underneath?)
posted by lottie at 5:54 PM on September 21

I used to have the lovely skin tone that meant I could get away with no foundation, but it seems as I move closer to 30 that I'm getting rosier cheeks. And not pleasantly rosier, either.

My skin went from pale and relatively blemish-free to OMFGWTFBBQREDSPLOTCHES the year I turned 30. It was rosacea, which cleared up completely with a topical prescription. I made a few other changes that helped my over-all complexion as well: I began taking multivitamins, eating more fruits and vegetables and working out. I also switched from Burt's Bees' Soap Bark and Chamomile cleanser to Cetaphil products. My skin's now back to normal.

If your complexion has changed dramatically in the last year or so, it might do to see a dermatologist. Even if you do find a great foundation, you'll still have to cope with any underlying (pardon the pun) skin issue. If it's rosacea, you'll need to take extra care in choosing non-irritating products.
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 6:05 PM on September 21

I use Revlon ColorStay for combination/oily skin and it doesn't make me break out.

Keeping bacteria from getting into (and growing inside) your foundation bottle is important. If you can pump your foundation instead of touching it, that's best. If not, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your foundation. Also, check the smell from time to time and if it stops smelling like it did when it was new then it is time for a new bottle of foundation, even if you haven't used it up yet.

Do you powder over your foundation? I've found that using Maybelline ShineFree powder really helps. Also those little oil-absorbing sheets periodically throughout the day.
posted by Jacqueline at 6:45 PM on September 21

I have an extremely oily t-zone and learned the best trick from makeupalley.com and Paula Begoun. I apply a very thin layer of plain Milk of Magnesia (so cheap!) on my t-zone underneath my foundation. It completely prevents me from getting shiny, all day long and allows me to use whatever foundation I want. Just apply the MoM very lightly, if it looks like white war paint you're going to have to use a lot of foundation to cover it up. I am olive skinned and can get quite tan in the summer, so even if you're not fair, the MoM can still work for you.
posted by TrickyLib at 8:17 PM on September 21

In addition to or instead of new kinds of goop to use, consider your diet. I accidentally found out that cutting out sugars and grains made my normally really shiny forhead and nose go normal. Nothing else had ever worked. It might be worth it to just experiment for a few days or a week. No sugars, grains, alcohol, or sneaky things like high fructose corn syrup. Even cut out fruit for a bit just to see. If it works, well then you at least have the sucky option of stopping eating wonderful delicious carbs. Or at least sometimes. Or at least some kinds, which you can identify through more experimenting. Wouldn't it be great if it was just brussels sprouts and rutabagas and stuff that you could quit eating instead?
posted by Askr at 8:21 PM on September 21

I think you need to address your skin care first. Make up will never fix inappropriate skin care. If your cheeks are flaky and your forehead is greasy with breakouts you may be using too harsh a cleanser and an inappropriate moisturiser.

Overcleansing can stimulate the oil secretions on your forehead and cause drying in the cheeks (are you oily on the nose and chin too?) Try to find a balancing cleanser (I like Eve Taylor which is a professional line available in some salons. I also use spectro gel which is available for different skin types, is widely available and inexspensive. I do get the best results with Eve Taylor though.)

Follow it up with a toner (which completes the cleansing, returns the skin's pH to normal and starts the moisturising process-many people skip this step but I think it makes a real difference).

Follow this up with a light, water based lotion. Your skin should not feel tight after cleansing, if it does consider a gentler cleanser. Weekly exfoliation helps as well. Use something gentle with jojoba beads, bamboo or almond meal (not shells). Exfoliating lifts of the dead skin cells, helps to reduce breakouts, makes your skin look more even and healthier. You will also use less product and you make up will go on more evenly.

This is all pretty generalised information and without seeing your skin and asking some more questons I am doing a bit of guessing.


As for the make up, I like Cover Fx (http://www.coverfxmakeup.com/mineral make up). It covers very well, lasts and gives the skin a natural look.

I use a primer under my foundation and like Smashbox light or bronze photo finish.(http://www.smashbox.com/Award-Winners_2/face_2;jsessionid=0a0108431f435715db9205db4483adb8e52020c640b9.e3eSbNyQc3mLe34Pa38Ta38Pbhr0).

Dr Feelgood from Benefit is a great mattifier that can be patted over make up throughout the day (http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/node/n/164983011/191-1005192-1713623?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core)

I have worked in skin care and make up for 20 years and am an aesthetician so I know a little. (That being said every person in the skin care and make up industry will have their own opinions about what works. Play around, get some free makeovers at Sephora or other make up counters and find what works for you. If you can afford it, go for a professional facial at a reputable spa. They should also be able to give you make up suggestions.)

Also sorry about the links. I haven't quite figured out how to do that properly. Good at make up...idiot at computer.

Hope some of this helps!
posted by Wendy BD at 9:54 PM on September 21

Overcleansing can stimulate the oil secretions on your forehead and cause drying in the cheeks (are you oily on the nose and chin too?) Try to find a balancing cleanser (I like Eve Taylor which is a professional line available in some salons. I also use spectro gel which is available for different skin types, is widely available and inexspensive. I do get the best results with Eve Taylor though.)

Yeah, I have a similar complexion that's gotten worse after a change in birth control. I've recently tried a new, bare-bones regimen that I found somewhere online: washing with cold water (no soap), patting dry, and then putting toner on . . . and nothing else. It's only been a week, but my skin already seems improved.

When I do use something, I use Cornsilk Translucent powder which (oh no!) seems to have been discontinued.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:04 AM on September 22

Using only water isn't really effective. The dirt on your face is mixed with oil so you need something to dissolve it. Try putting your toner on a cotton pad and wiping it acoss your skin after the water cleanse. I'll bet it comes up grey. Also try not to use extremes in temperature when cleansing. It's a great way to burst cappillaries (especially going from hot to cold and vice versa.)
posted by Wendy BD at 11:00 AM on September 22

Try putting your toner on a cotton pad and wiping it acoss your skin after the water cleanse. I'll bet it comes up grey.

Don't want to totally derail, but that hasn't been true so far.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:09 AM on September 22