Another post menopausal make up product rec ask

March 5, 2022 4:38 AM

This here is my favorite. It is "Diorskin by Christian Dior Nude Air Serum Foundation" in 010 and 020 (I blend depending on skin tone in time of year.)

It looks like it's been discontinued and I'm lost. I've been using it for years.

-Why I liked it: it was practically water. It went on lightly and dried to a light coverage, was buildable, and I could also do pin point color-ins with more heavily pigmented concealer to hide a spot here and there. It did not cake in my wrinkles but more disappeared into my face.

The finish was very smooth and non-greasy. It just felt like soft skin but made a clear difference, evening out most imperfections.

It worked well with the way I use make up, which is generally just to enhance a few things and downplay a few things. I'm not running a YouTube make up instruction vlog although I have to say those things are damn relaxing to watch.

I've tried many of the high end ones that are usually recommended for older women for ex Chanel, Armani. They didn't really do what this one did, which was just feel like a natural part of my skin.

I am generally not a fan of tinted moisturizer, because I don't always want a moisturizer, and if I do, I'd prefer to decide that separately than find myself adding moisturizer to my face in August and everything is gross.

Some of the other Dior products sit on my face like latex paint ('Forever') for example but I know there might be others that have lighter coverage.

Foundation is a product I don't mind spending a little extra on but I feel like the product descriptions don't always match the experience of having it on your face and the color match alone is a challenge.

Any suggestions: (I don't want that freaky Dior thing that you apparently spray directly into your face. I'm into this for the gentle peaceful early morning self-care while having coffee vibe.)

posted by A Terrible Llama to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

I struggled for years to find the right foundation, then eventually settled on Givenchy’s Teint Couture Balm - blurring foundation balm bare skin protector. I too am post menopausal, and find it just right
posted by JJZByBffqU at 6:10 AM on March 5, 2022

Coincidentally, I watched a video yesterday by a MUA living in Paris about how French women don’t like heavy foundations. She recommended this fairly new product by Make Up For Ever and did a demo-it looked like exactly what you’re looking for. Lightweight, buildable, doesn’t have to be used all over.
posted by little mouth at 6:27 AM on March 5, 2022 [2 favorites]

The Ordinary's Serum Foundation is similar to this, and the price is right, so not a big risk to try.
posted by carrienation at 7:05 AM on March 5, 2022 [2 favorites]

Have you ever looked into the Dr hauschka skin care line?
posted by markbrendanawitzmissesus at 9:13 AM on March 5, 2022

Apologies for not directly answering the question, but do you have a Sephora nearby? (Nordstrom would be good too.) This is a situation where being able to sample a lot of things would help. (I’d probably skip Ulta because their selection is more targeted to under-40 folks.)

I’ve had luck with some NARS products but YMMV. Hourglass and Shisheido are worth a look too. Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier are demographically appropriate, but I’ve never loved any of their face makeup. I haven’t worn foundation in about 4 years so there’s probably new brands and formulations I’m not familiar with, but I used to do a lot of blog reading and trying stuff.
posted by matildaben at 9:39 AM on March 5, 2022

Response by poster: As it happens, I was at Sephora today. It was too busy to ask any questions but I did try one I think I like. It's in 010. I have it on the back of my hand and looked at it in the sun and and in my house and it looks like a potential good match.

I am also thinking about mixing up some of the heavier products that I already have with moisturizer, and seeing if I can diy a light coverage with good pigment...so there's my relaxation for the afternoon.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 12:12 PM on March 5, 2022

I like this Typology Tinted Serum a lot. There aren't a ton of shades so YMMV but it looks like they do offer a discount if you want to buy two shades and blend them. It basically feels like nothing going on, is easy to blend with fingers, and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin or make me greasy. And it looks good!
posted by sparkling at 1:06 PM on March 5, 2022

With the caveat that I have not tried this personally, I have heard great things about the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation and it's next on my list to try once I get through my LYS Triple Fix Serum Foundation (which is also awesome!!).
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 1:44 PM on March 5, 2022

Response by poster: I really wish it was easier to order and try dime sized amounts of foundation. I'd pay to be able to order and try each of these recommendations. Even when you go into Sephora, the lights make it all iffy and you're only putting it on whatever thing you test on, hand, wrist, neck. Foundation is a high risk purchase because you wind up with fifty dollars worth of something you realize later makes you look orange.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 8:52 AM on March 6, 2022

I don't know if Sephora has changed their policies through COVID, but you used to be able to ask to take away a tiny sample (they'd dispense from the tester into a little tub).
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 8:21 AM on March 7, 2022

I really like this foundation from Pat McGrath:

I can't seem to get the link to work but it's Pat McGrath Labs Sublime.

It can go on medium coverage but I apply with a damp sponge and it's very sheer.
posted by simonelikenina at 6:21 PM on March 7, 2022