Liquid foundation is just that: a liquid. 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.
Let the foundation dry, and then walk outside and check it in natural daylight.” Letting foundation dry is especially important because some foundations oxidise on contact with the skin, which can make the finish a little darker, so you might need a lighter shade.
Start by applying your foundation in single pea-sized amounts to each area of the face you're covering: generally the forehead, nose, chin, and each cheek. To blend your makeup, use gentle dabbing motions and upward strokes that match the natural contours of your face to create the most even look.
Let your foundation set
Let the foundation set for 3-5 minutes. Take a tissue, and blot all over your face, avoiding the nose if you have large pores. Pay special attention to the eyelids, lines under the eyes, and the corners of the eyes (where excess product will definitely have creased and collected).
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.
You Need to Exfoliate
While moisturizing and priming play an important role in the end look of your foundation, Garshick says that exfoliation does, too. “Those who have a build-up of dead skin cells and don't exfoliate regularly may find their foundation appears cakey,” she says.
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…
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.
To “bake your makeup” means to let your concealer sit on your face for 10 to 20 minutes before blending it, so that your own body heat enables the makeup to melt into your skin and cause it to change color and texture.
“A Beautyblender should always be used damp to ensure it blends seamlessly,” Lottie notes. That's why the golden rule of Beautyblenders is wet, squeeze, bounce. The Beautyblender is hydrophilic, meaning it's actually designed to absorb water. When it's wet, it's too full to absorb your foundation, too.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
Priming Your Face
An excellent way to stop this from happening is to create a barrier between your skin and your foundation. This is where primer comes in. Primer can fill your pores, so your foundation doesn't. It helps reduce the appearance of pores and gives you a smooth finish to apply your makeup to.
Find your foundation balls up and flakes off? This usually means your skincare products underneath are clashing. Always leave enough time for your serums and moisturisers to dry between layers. Applying hydrating serums to damp skin can also help.
“Textured or rough skin can cause patchy foundation as the product will settle in and emphasize any skin texture. It's best to gently exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant before the application to remove dead skin,” says Alex. A good rule of thumb is to use an exfoliant 2x a week.
Waiting for your foundation to dry before putting on powder.
"Pressing it on will prevent the foundation from moving around or streaking in the process. It also allows the foundation to set better so it stays on all day.
When you apply foundation, be sure to completely blend it in, and that it's still wet, before applying setting powder. This allows the products to properly integrate for flawless coverage.
Probably because after a few hours, your makeup tends to "mesh" with your skin, making it look more "lived in", or more "realistic".
Yes, many professional makeup artists and beauty gurus swear by applying liquid foundation with their fingers. This tactile approach provides a skin-like, natural makeup result since you're massaging the makeup onto your skin. Using your fingers works on all skin types and with both cream and liquid foundation.
Use a sponge to press the foundation into your skin.
That will help press it into your skin for a seamless, airbrushed look. Be sure to dampen your sponge with water before using it to apply your foundation. That keeps it from absorbing too much product and allows it to really diffuse the makeup for a flawless look.
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.