I have always been very lucky with my skin and have never needed to wear a foundation. I just use a little face powder and blusher. BUT, i am now the ripe old age of 37 and I have noticed i have some thread veins in my cheeks. I think these have popped up due to walking the dogs in stupidly cold conditions lately.

Anyway - i think i need to purchase a light foundation ... but how do you know what to buy. There are soooooooooo many products on the market.

Incidentally, i live in the middle of nowhere and I really don't want to travel into a town to go to a beauty counter. So i want to be able to just pick up something in our normal small Boots (that doesn't have a beauty counter).

Any suggestions ? Can you get an uncoloured one ? If not, how do you know what colour you need ?

They should have testers to try out the colours, test them on your face though not on your hand. If you are used to powder you could try mineral foundation, which is a fine powder and it covers quite well. Maybelline do one I'd imagine you could get that in Boots.

It depends on what skin type and colour you have, and how much you want to spend.

If you have a dry to normal skin, Bourjois Healthy Mix serum would be fine.

If you have a combination/oily skin then you need a mattifying foundation such as Boots 17 Miracle Matte.

To find the right shade for you, take some small empty pots with you and ask to sample the foundations you think are suitable. Always match the colour of the foundation to your neck and not your face. That way, it'll blend in perfectly and won't leave a tide mark on your neck. If they won't let you take a sample or two home, then apply the foundation to your neck and go outside in the daylight to see if it matches.

If it's just a few thread veins here and there that you want to cover up, then maybe try a concealer. I'd suggest Maybelline Pure Cover Mineral concealer. Use a small brush to dab it onto the thread veins, blend outwards slightly then powder over it to set it. That way you just get coverage exactly where you want it.

However, if you have dark skin, you might find it hard to find a good match because some high street make-up brands don't tend to cater for darker than a tan. Sleek (in Superdrug) have good colours for dark skin.

Wow - thanks.

I have dry to normal skin.

I dont think my local Boots would let me take any samples. I think i would have to have a go in the store. As for concealer, i do use a rimmel stick one just under my eyes, but i think i need something a little heavier for my thread veins. They are quite pronounced. But, I have never heard of that Maybeline product, and applying it with a brush sounds different so i will look into it.

So, both of you have suggested the mineral foundation Maybeline one ... so perhaps that is the way to go ?

If you want to feel like you are wearing no make up, I swear by Bobbi Brown moisture foundation, but a lot cheaper is Barbara Daly by Tesco foundation, which sinks into your skin and gives coverage whilst still looking sheer and natural. Love it.

seriosly, just go to mac! problem solved!

I tried loads of brands because I'm a product junkie () but one year I decided to go to Clinique and make a purchase I thought I'd researched enough myself. The assistant on the counter, offered me a consultation and I ended up buying something completely different and in a different colour. I have repurchased the same one several times since, I love it.

Go to one of the make up consultants and you stand a better chance of getting the right product first time.

Unfortunately I cant. To go to our nearest town / cosmetic counter would take me about 50 mins each way. It really isn't feasible just to buy foundation. BUT, next time i go to a town (about once a year) i will definately see a consultant.

But in the meantime i am off to Boots this lunchtime to see if they have the Maybeline product a couple of people have mentioned.

go to clinique its really worth buying a high end foundation or dior.

Do you have a Body Shop near you? I remember I went in there for some foundation and they filled a little pot with some to take home and try so it might worth giving them a try.

I use Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, I had a consultation to get the right colour initially but now I just order it online, I actually don't notice I have it on the colour is so close to my natural skin colour. I also use Bare Essentials which again I order on line but with that you can build it up if the colour you get is a littel pale.

No, no Body Shop. There is a small Boots and a Lloyds Chemist. Thats all.

God id kill meself haha

How about that new bb cream by garnier or someone. Its good

Ooh yeah I've got that too it's lovely, I have to wear it over moisturiser though it's not enough on it's own.

omg - I couldnt live that far from shops!! how do you manage??

It was tough when we first moved here as i used to live in Essex and work in London, so i was used to getting whatever I wanted, eating out all the time, getting takeaways and being able to go to cosmetic counters. BUT, I am used to it now and hussle and bussel makes me nervous.

Sometimes its frustrating though when you see a new product come out on the market and you want to try before you buy. I know you can order anything off the internet (bought a lovely superdrug moisturiser online that was advertised) but makeup is something you really want to test first.

The most frustrating thing for me is bra buying. I have no idea what size i am as i measure myself and buy the size online only to find it doesn't fit. I really need to be measured, but haven't the time or inclination to venture to the nearest town !!

Body Shop Olive Oil Foundation is really good for the price. If you use the code VCFREE at the checkout, you get 30% discount, a free gift and free delivery if you spend £30 so might be worth stocking up on other bits.

Mac Face and Body is great for older/drier skin - I know you asked for suggestions that you could pick up at your local Boots, but honestly, you won't find a really great foundation at a small drugstore. Foundation is one of those things where it pays to spend more; drugstore brands are often limited in colour selection (lots of orange, and not as many shades (if any) for much lighter or darker skin tones) and most of them seem to focus on "young" skin - so they have things in them to stop skin getting oily and give a matte appearance - something you really don't want if you have dry skin!

Clinique if not Mac are great! They're gym proof too! Yes I have to wear a little when I go!
Unfortunately, living in Swansea I have to go to Cardiff to buy Mac, yes I know it's on line but I like to see my stuff in the flesh ( no pun intended!) but I've used Clinique since I was 17 - 53 now.*rolls eyes*
As some posters have said - the shades are better with the more expensive ones. Cheaper ones are very random at times.

They usually test the colours along the jaw line while looking into a mirror for a good match that doesn't show a strong difference in face v foundation shade btw.