Face Primer

A little flash balm goes a long way though.

I used to use the flawless finish, but I found it too drying and thick. I ended up mixing it in the palm of my hand with I think it was L'Oreal's 50 SPF cream, because it came out white when you put it on and I had bought a shade that was too dark of the flawless finish. The two combined worked perfectly until the makeup was finished.

In fact, I would recommend that mixing of heavy foundation with a bit of high factor sun lotion to anyone. As long as you mix it well it spreads on really easily and I suppose is really a homemade BB cream.

I use the Honey Beige colour in Flawless Finish.... but would love to look 'dewey'. I ordered my Flash Balm off ebay. Much cheaper.

Thanks All. I'll break myself in gently with Nivea. Perhaps I should investigate wrinkle creams too!

Coolgran I always used to have Max Factor Panstick in Nouveau Beige, perfect colour for me, but it just didn't last all day. The Estée Lauder Double Wear definitely does but is not quite as perfect a colour match as MAx Factor.

I have just put on the Clarins Flash Balm bought today and it smells lovely and I can feel my skin tighter. I look forward to seeing how it is with Foundation on top tomorrow. The price is very steep though at £29, so I think I will also buy the Nivea Primer recommended by Grannyknot as an everyday one and will report back.

I will investigate your Elizabeth Arden foundation too.

One or two of my contemporaires do not wear makeup and I think a light make over would improve things, but I don't say anything.

I love make up and used carefully I think it can enhance us oldies.

I always wear make-up, especially as I am fair skinned, blondish hair courtesy of Nice 'n Easy Honey Blonde, always have mascara, smokey liner, and eyebrows done because they are so blonde.
Having read through this thread and followed a few links, and also having seen This Morning where they did a make-under.... i.e. don't use too much slap !! .... I might just take myself in hand. They say that 'less is more'.

So I've ordered Clarin's Flash Balm as a primer (first time ever).

Thing is, I've used Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish foundation for about 20 years. Does anyone else use this. Sometimes It can appear a little heavy but my skin definitely needs evened out. Has anyone gone from Flawless Finish to another foundation with success.
Fair skin with freckles and always a touch of false tan.

That sounds good.

I had never heard of primer either, until my daughter aged 11 months was in her pushchair in the village chemist doing a spot of shoplifting, while I paid for flu treatments. The shopkeeper spotted her and almost shouted 'Put That Back!' upin which my daughter dropped it and it was in a glass pot with a plastic lid. The lid broke and the glass cracked. So I started to use the stuff, and it was wonderful, as I have quite large pores. It's basically a polyfilla for the skin, let's face it!

Nankate that sounds about right for me, thank you. I have fairish hair with a lot of red in it, strawberry blonde when little, so yellow against that looks too dreadful to describe. Jaundiced, my mother said once.

Best primer is Nivea' s Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer. Costs under 4 quid. I read about it in one of those 'best kept secret' beauty articles and have never looked back.

I burned my bra (well, stopped wearing one) in 1971, and other than loads of eye make up in the late 60's never wore foundation, much less primer. Fast forward many years, and one of my daughters is getting married. One of those big weddings, and I'm MOB. I felt some pressure, and resorted to a proper bra, and bought primer, foundation, eye stuff and lipstick for the day. I can tell you - what a difference it made. Even skin tone, and the primer worked wonders, as the foundation that evened out my skin tone (much damaged by spending as much time as possible outside) remained good, from 8am when it went on, to midnight.
It's still sitting in a drawer if anyone wants a go!

Moisturiser, primer, foundation Nfk. The primer gives your skin a smooth base before applying foundation.

I only use moisturiser and a bit of mascara. Am I missing out? I sort of gave up when my double chin degraded into a landslide.

Perhaps it's time I made an effort?

I knew about foundation and powder, but what's primer? Does it go on first? Do you still use moisturiser as well?

Jane I am fair skinned and any foundation with a yellow base makes me look sallow. I told this to the Estée Lauder consultant and she has a chart that has a list of shades which are either pink based or yellow based. I was given Double Wear 'Pale Almond' which is pink based and it is perfect for me. I have the matching powder.

My natural skin looks pretty uneven in colour but the foundation and powder make it look rather nice,

Finally when you first put on the foundation it looks rather thin but after a minute or so it gives a good coating.

I know, Nonu. I have forgotten how to shop. I do it all online! I think in this case shall have to get off my backside and actually enter a shop though!

"Jane", go to your nearest "ESTEE LAUDER" and they will help and advise on what is a suitable colour for you ,

Good heavens! What colour? How on earth do you choose out of that lot? If you usually go for 'fair' in the winter or 'pale beige' in the summer, where do you start with all that choice?

We (my choir) were having our photo taken tonight because the local paper are doing an article on us. The lighting in our rehearsal room is grim. Never have so many ladies never been so knowingly under-made-up. It was a wonder we could sing at all! I'm sure I heard a few sopranos cracking a little.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation sounds just the job for such emergencies.

I am now completely confused. Primer, BB cream, CC cream, DD cream, foundation.... I think I might need a makeover.

I know what you mean Nan, this little lily needs a bit more "gilding"!!
Laugh

I'm tempted by the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.

Nonu I use the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation and matching powder as I need a good bit of 'slap' to pass muster.

I have very dry skin and for foundation I use a small amount of Leichner Copper Blend which has an added moisturiser. £4.99 at most chemists. This is a stage make up which actors use to stop their skin becoming dry under strong stage lights.

Or just wear a mask....

Jane, instead of 6 coats, why not use Estee Lauder " double wear foundation " lasts & lasts .Not poking my nose in mind. .

agus never tried it as a mask , perhaps give it a go !

I agree Nonu and sometimes use it as a mask which they also recommend.

Very droll Elegran

I use it too, only when going out somewhere posh with the full works on though. usually in the winter, as it gives a bit of a glow through the six subsequent coats of whatever I feel I need that day.

Very tempted to try the undercoat and gloss routine. With varnish for extra protection.

Agus, I love Beauty Flash balm, what a lovely product !
Worth every penny !

I wear "City block Sheer" -25 SPF by Clinique just on it"s own . Don"t seem to need anything else , it covers well , only wear it on my cheeks though.
I will cover some of the blurb.
Sheer high level UVA/UVB sun protection. makeup looks fresher, longer. Wear alone or as an invisible under-makeup primer