Love at first swipe

Finding a foundation to suit older skin isn’t easy, admits Rosie Green. But rejoice! She’s discovered a game-changer that blurs out blemishes without ever feeling heavy

In my head I am 20 and blessed with the even-toned complexion of a fair maiden. The base I select is for that skin, not the one I actually own, which has weathered 50 summers, two pigmentation-prompting pregnancies and its fair share of dark shadow-inducing stress.

I’ve always preferred barely there tinted moisturisers to full-coverage bases. I’m wary of the latter leaving tidemarks, exaggerating wrinkles and highlighting fuzzy facial hair. I just don’t like that powdery, flat pancake look that obliterates every facial contour. But the truth is my midlife, winter-worn skin needs more help than it’s getting.

Then last week I was doing my make-up when a foundation that Sisley had sent in eyed me from the shelf. It’s described as having a radiant matt finish – which sounds like an oxymoron to me – but still I put a little on the back of my hand, dipped a brush in it and buffed it on my face.

The effect was impressive. Redness receded, dark shadows faded and pigmentation blurred. It was as if I had used the Paris filter on Instagram. Me, but better. Polished. It didn’t look heavy. And the beautifying effect lasted throughout the day and beyond, to dinner. Even around the nose.

Now here’s the rub. It costs a whopping £80. I know.

However, a proliferation of skincare benefits does somewhat mitigate the buttock-clenching price. There’s cucumber extract, which pulls water into the skin and thus plumps it up. There’s a glyco-complex made from soy which cleverly forms a film that protects from dehydration, a green lentil extract that reduces the appearance of dilated pores and a powerful antioxidant buckwheat-seed extract for rejuvenation.

I have a conflicted relationship with such expensive products. I’m aware that in a cost-of-living crisis the price seems excessive. But then, I reason, my job is to tell you what’s great – and this really, really is. If it helps, I only use half a pump of it at a time.

Small wins…

@lifesrosie

THE FOUNDATION IS AVAILABLE IN 29 SHADES INCLUDING (FROM TOP): HAZEL, VANILLA AND CHESTNUT

Sisley Phyto-teint Perfection Foundation in Caramel, £80, sisley-paris.com