If you don’t know by now, I generally hate when people make “Makeup Rules”. I get that there are certain things that bring a look together like blending and tight-lining, etc. etc. but sometimes the coolest makeup looks are ones that break the rules…so let’s think of those more as guidelines. One thing that I think we can all agree on though: Cakey makeup. It’s not cute. It’s just not flattering. I’ve been sitting here pondering it for a while and I can’t think of a single way that it might be good in some hypothetical look. The fact of the matter is sometimes it happens, and if it happens to you then I think I can help!

So today let’s talk about five things that might be causing your cakey makeup issues and one way to help sort you out if it’s too late.

WHAT MIGHT BE GOING WRONG?

1. You’re Applying Too Much Foundation: This is the most obvious and the most common. If you feel like you need more coverage then applying a ton of foundation isn’t always the way to get it. Some are build-able, but most end up looking cakey. If you need more coverage look for a foundation that has more coverage inherently but is still light on the skin.
2. Your Foundation Is Too Matte For You: There are some people with really oily skin who need super matte foundation. For those people the oils in their skin will mix with the foundation itself and give a fairly natural finish. For those of us with normal, combination or dry skin it will look like…well like cake. Floury, dry, cake. Finding the right finish for your skin is key, so if you are finding yourself looking a little caked up and you are using a matte foundation then you might want to try something a bit more luminous.
3. You Are Over Powdering: Powder is great for keeping makeup in place, but too much can be a one way ticket to cake town. If you apply powder to set your foundation then try using a finely milled, translucent powder and applying it very strategically. If you only apply it to places where you are more oily (aka where your makeup wears off most quickly) it will look less dry, and not putting it on the entire face will make the rest of your skin look more glowy and balance it out.
4. You’re Applying With The Wrong Motions: Different foundations do better with different application techniques. Some work well on a buffing brush, some with a flat brush, some with fingers etc. etc. One way to apply most foundations without looking cakey is to use a damp sponge. That’s not to say that you can’t use a brush, sometimes a brush is fine, but if you have been using a brush and aren’t happy with it, try a dampened sponge. 99% of the time it give a much more natural finish.
5. You Aren’t Prepping The Skin: Freshly washed, moisturized skin will always take makeup better than dry, unprepped skin. If you put foundation on dry skin it is going to cling to every little bit of dryness, and unevenness and whatever else may be in it’s path. Even if you don’t use a primer you should at least prep with a nice, light moisturizer.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF IT”S TOO LATE?!

If you have already applied your foundation and you find that you dun goofed, a quick way to bring a skin-like finish back to your face is to liberally spray it with a setting spray. It doesn’t need to be a specific kind, but one that promises a “matte” finish will not have as much of an impact as one with a natural or dewy finish.

For the sake of showing you how it works I took an incredibly unflattering close-up photo of my skin with makeup that I made intentionally cakey. You also get to look directly up my nose! Which is unpleasant for everyone involved, but I wanted to show this particular spot because when these issues occur, this is usually where it looks most obvious.

See the difference? It’s still nothing to write home about but it’s definitely passable, and not a cake-festival. Something about the dewy finish makes the over-application much more realistic so it’s a quick fix rather than taking off your entire face of makeup and starting over.

Side Note: Can you imagine if people really wrote home about these things? “Dear Mother, Makeup on fleek. It’ s beautiful here in the spring. Bartholomew send his regards” LOL

Ok that’s enough of that, I hope this helps if you’re having issues with cakey makeup!