Too many layers of primer will make your makeup look worse. Applying too much product can have an opposite effect and give the skin a cakey look instead. Gently spread the primer around your face or your problematic areas and don't put too much, just a tiny bit can do the job.
The most popular way to use a primer is before your foundation, and this is a fantastic method of creating a smoother-looking canvas. As the skincare ingredients treat your complexion, the smoothing makeup will create silky soft feeling skin that helps your face makeup glide on effortlessly.
Using too much product. According to experts, this is the most common cause of cakey foundation. When you apply too much product you risk overlaying it, making your skin look patchy, textured and opaque.
Don't Paint, Buff
No matter what tool you're using—a foundation brush, a BeautyBlender, or your fingers—buff (or bounce, if you're using a sponge) the foundation into your skin as opposed to “painting” it on to build coverage smoothly and avoid streakiness, says Park.
Use a makeup spray
Yes, makeup sprays not only help to set your foundation but also help to melt away the excess foundation that makes your makeup look cakey. Plus, they will also take care of the powdery residues to give you a much better and cleaner look.
Applying primer over the foundation can give any look a beautiful and flawless finish. This technique can make a huge difference as it gives the skin a more even look without any obvious pores. A bit of primer on top of the foundation can work great for setting the makeup and is less obvious than a setting powder.
Use only a thin layer of primer (usually a pea-size blob for your entire face)—glob on too much, and your makeup can end up sliding around instead of melting into your skin. 3. Wait a full 60 seconds for your primer to “set” before slathering on your concealer and foundation.
The most popular way to use a primer is before your foundation, and this is a fantastic method of creating a smoother-looking canvas. As the skincare ingredients treat your complexion, the smoothing makeup will create silky soft feeling skin that helps your face makeup glide on effortlessly.
Primers are the photoshop of the makeup world. They're used underneath eyeshadow, foundation, tinted moisturizer, and mascara to create a smoothing effect that enhances makeup coverage and helps your makeup stay on longer — all while targeting concerns like oily or dry skin.
Makeup primer helps your skin look smoother.
The majority of primers contain silicone-based polymers that not only give them a silky feel but allow them to fill in any depressions in the skin.
Apply concealer that matches your skin tone
If you have spots or areas of acne that could use a little extra coverage, you can then apply a noncomedogenic concealer in a color similar to your skin tone. Blending concealer well is a key step to getting a flawless (not cakey) look.
Dehydrated or dry skin can cause makeup to clump and cling into dry patches. Your face can look like it's peeling when you put on foundation. Oily skin can also cause makeup to split on the face. Following an appropriate skin care routine and preparing your skin before makeup application is an essential step.
As Phillips mentioned, you want to wait a full minute or more to allow the primer to dry completely before going in with makeup, as this will help to curb pilling or patchiness.
As long as the primer applies uniformly over the previous color, then one or two coats should be sufficient. Again, it is not necessary to apply several coats of primer to try to get a perfect white finish. That is the job of the topcoat (paint) which has to be applied on top of the primer.
If you're getting good results from a primer, loading it up thick and fast on your skin may be tempting, especially if you want the extra hydrating or smoothing effects. However, always stick to a pea-sized amount to ensure even application of your makeup and rely on your skincare for help instead.
Not applying primer all over the face.
Greenberg says that if you don't put primer everywhere you're planning to put foundation, you're asking for trouble. Some of your makeup will go on more evenly than the rest, and some will probably wear off more quickly, creating a patchy, uneven mess.
Primers can also reduce the amount of makeup you use and make application a little easier. Essentially, they're meant to create a barrier between the product and your skin, giving you beautiful and long-lasting results.
The solution? Hydration. Foundation needs a smooth canvas to adhere to, so you need to pump the moisture up in your skin. You can do this by swapping to a creamy more gentle cleanser, by picking a richer moisturiser and picking a hydrating foundation.
Uneven skin texture can come in many forms, from under-the-skin bumps, to large, visible pores, or fine lines and wrinkles, all of which can contribute to foundation not sitting smoothly on the skin.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
If you have dry skin, wearing a hydrating primer under your foundation is a must. Primers don't just help makeup stay in place, they also help create a smooth canvas for your makeup application and add an extra layer of moisture.
Other reasons for cakey foundation include dry skin, not layering your makeup in the correct order, and not using the right skin care products. Skipping out on exfoliation is another factor that can cause cakiness. Always make sure you prep your skin by exfoliating and moisturizing to help makeup go on smoothly.