Right before applying foundation, it's important to cleanse your skin to help prevent clogged pores and remove any dirt that may be dulling your natural radiance. Next, gently exfoliate your skin to sweep away any dry, dead skin cells that may cause foundation to go on unevenly or look flaky.
“If the skin surface is dehydrated, textured, [or simply] not at its best, this can change how makeup lays on the skin. That's why skin prep is the key to ensuring that your foundation has a skin-like finish and never looks cakey. ”
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.
Without proper hydration, makeup will cling to any flakes or patches, leading to an uneven finish that looks dull rather than vibrant and dewy. To avoid this issue, make sure you use a good quality facial moisturizer with SPF daily before applying any other products to your face.
Applying too much product is the leading cause of cakey makeup, makeup artist Alexandria Gilleo tells mbg. "Applying too much product can build up and cause the skin to pill or become uneven, blotchy, and textured." Too much product can mean too much foundation, concealer, or powder.
But makeup for real life is three dimensional, and skin in real life has pores, bumps, and wrinkles. There's no way around it! A great makeup application takes that texture into account—makeup won't look smooth if the surface under it isn't smooth.
If you've ever thought your makeup makes you look more wrinkled, it might be by virtue of dehydrated skin. Makeup has a way of leaching the moisture from the skin, accentuating pores, and highlighting fine lines and wrinkles. So if your skin looks worse with foundation, this could be a major culprit.
Freda says, “A sponge is ideal for a flawless natural foundation application"—and perhaps, everything else, too. Keep in mind, however, that the finish you get from applying foundation with a sponge can change depending on what type of foundation you're using.
For an airbrushed finish, choosing the right foundation finish is key. A matte foundation is usually your best bet because it reflects less light, which makes pores less obvious and gives your skin a smoother look. It also cuts down on shine, so your makeup will look smooth and flawless as long as possible.
2. 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.
Phillips also recommends giving primer a full minute to dry before layering anything on top in order to avoid disturbing the makeup.
Are You Using the Right Moisturiser? Fact: Most of us have had (or currently have) dehydrated skin. Foundation will always look more seamless when applied on hydrated skin. Sure, the skincare products under your makeup matter, but using a moisturiser daily is just as important.
Not prepping the skin right
Dehydrated skin is one of the main reasons that result in a patchy foundation look. It could look like something is peeling off on your face. Excessively oily skin on the other hand can result in makeup to split on the face and appear patchy.
you need to make sure you are exfoliating around your nose. this is the reason why your makeup is looking cakey. every single time before I use my sponge. I highly recommend the Skin Refined Zone from Mac.
Don't Forget Makeup Primer
“If you're an oily skin type, to prevent makeup from looking cakey, use a mattifying primer before foundation to help keep the oil from blending into the makeup and turning into a cakey puddle,” says Rivero.
Take it easy with the setting powder.
Try to leave most parts of your face powder-free; you want your skin to stay dewy but applying powder all over will only block the effect and you'll end up with a matte finish instead.