“Applying too much product can lead to an uneven application—especially if you are using a powder-finish product. Too many layers of powder finish tend to make the skin look textured/dry. Also, the layers tend to repel each other, creating a blotchy appearance and camera flashback.”
Make sure your skin is well-prepped with a serum, moisturiser and smoothing primer before you start applying your base. Applying these products before your foundation helps to create a smooth canvas for your makeup to glide onto and prevents makeup from settling into pores and emphasising them.
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.
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.
“Applying too much product can lead to an uneven application—especially if you are using a powder-finish product. Too many layers of powder finish tend to make the skin look textured/dry. Also, the layers tend to repel each other, creating a blotchy appearance and camera flashback.”
You don't wait for your foundation to dry.
Aka it takes a little time to completely dry once you've applied it. This means if you speed through your beauty routine and dust a powder product over it immediately, it's going to heavily absorb into the first spot you applied it and it won't blend out properly.
Apply makeup with your fingertip instead of a brush or sponge; the heat from your hand warms up the product so it glides over peach fuzz. Finally, use a light touch and smooth on makeup in the direction hair is growing to help tamp it down.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
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.
Over time, dead skin cells and impurities build up on your skin. If exfoliation isn't part of your regular skin care routine, this build-up can cause your foundation to apply unevenly and separate throughout the day.
Here's something that helps when I apply liquid foundation: ya gotta give it time. Always give it enough time to set before you jump in with powder, so like four or five minutes, because if your foundation is still wet when you apply your powder, all sorts of terrible, horrible, frightening things happen…
Your Skin Type Matters
Just don't pack them both on, “A common mistake people make is using powder foundation on top of a liquid foundation,” Major says. This can result in a cakey finish. Mature skin or dry skin types should reach for a liquid foundation, as powder foundation can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
Liquid foundation tends to be the better choice for dry skin types as the hydrating formula flatters the skin while powder can emphasize it and cling to dry patches. We love the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation for its full coverage and hydrating, radiant finish that doesn't look cakey.
Does primer reduce texture? Yes, smoothing primers reduce bumpy texture and the appearance of uneven skin tone. They soften fine lines and wrinkles, and cover acne scars.
A liquid foundation is better for textured skin as its hydrating formula can keep flakiness away. Liquid foundations provide a smoother finish, whereas powder foundations often highlight your skin's texture.
Prep with primer.
As a cream product, primer evens out the skin texture, creating a smooth surface for your makeup. Using primer also prevents your makeup products from creating fine lines and creases—both signs of cakey makeup.
If you are creating a full coverage look with primer, concealer, powder, blush, and bronzer, then a setting spray can help keep the makeup from looking cakey. Heavy makeup looks with contouring and highlighting can also benefit from using a setting spray to help all the products blend seamlessly.
Kristen: First apply a primer before your foundation. This will help fill in any pores or lines and create a barrier between your skin and the foundation. Then use a makeup brush or sponge to blend the foundation into your skin, rather than rubbing it in.
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.
A great makeup application takes that texture into account—makeup won't look smooth if the surface under it isn't smooth. The right prep routine for you could be an AHA, a dewy moisturizer, or a mattifying primer—makeup artists use them all.
If your makeup is too light, you will look ashy or as if you have a gray cast on your skin. If the formula is too dark, it can make your complexion look muddy. Look for the shade that disappears into your skin most is your right match.
When you use a full-coverage foundation or are too heavy-handed with your application, the makeup settles into the wrinkles, pronouncing them even more, says Josephine Fusco, a makeup artist and skincare expert. Stick with a light- or medium-coverage foundation.