5 Tips To Avoid Cakey Foundation

I have had many people reach out to me recently asking, “How do you apply your foundation so it doesn’t look cakey?”

Well, you asked, and I am answering! Here are my five tips for avoiding cakey foundation.

#1 Skin Care.

Your makeup will only look as good as the canvas you provide for it! Think of it this way… If you are painting a wall in your house, and you decide you don’t want to take the time to fill the holes, sand it smooth, or use a primer. You will most likely not be happy with the results. BUT, if you take the time to follow all of the steps properly leading up to the paint, you will end up with an even, smooth finish. Isn’t that what you want for your skin as well?

Figure out what your skin type is, and how to properly maintain it. Tatcha, a popular skincare brand at Sephora has a really good blog about how to classify your skin type here. Make sure before you go in with foundation, whether it be a tinted moisturizer or a full-coverage matte foundation, you ALWAYS moisturize beforehand.

#2 Use The Right Products For Your Skin Type.

Once you have figured out what your skin type is, make sure you have the right products to go along with it. If you have oily skin, you might want to choose a foundation with a matte finish. While someone with dry skin might want to choose a foundation that is hydrating or has a dewy finish. Going in with a really matte foundation on top of sry skin can emphasize flakiness, making your foundation look cakey no matter how little you apply. While, a more dewy foundation on oily skin can break up a lot quicker on the skin, looking not so hot.

#3 Avoid Using Too Much Product

Youtube and Instagram often teach us that more is more, when in fact, less is more. You don’t actually need to apply five pumps of foundation directly to your face, then follow it up with big triangles of concealer under your eyes, around your mouth, on your forehead

and.. You get the point.

This may work for some people, giving them a flawless base, and that’s okay! For some of you, this just might be what is causing your makeup look to go from flawless to cake city in a hurry. Start with one pump, and apply more where you need it.

#4 Powder Can Be Your Best Friend Or Your Worst Enemy.

Applying powder in certain areas where you experience creasing or cakiness can be the saving grace to your issues. However, for those with dry skin, it might be the opposite. That isn’t to say those with dry skin can’t use powder. There are several products on the market that will actually HELP your skin! For example, the Becca HydraMist Set & Refresh Powder is 50% water, adding that little extra your skin might need, all while keeping your makeup in place.

If you have more oily skin, applying powder over your foundation can help keep your oil at bay throughout the day. You also want to be cautious about how much you are using. Using the baking technique with your powder can be fun, but it can also make your skin look a lot more “makeupey” than you were going for.

#5 Tools Can Make A Difference.

Last but not least, your tools. With the makeup industry always changing and evolving there are a ton of different tools out there now, and more are coming out every day. For the sake of this blog, let’s stick to the basics.

Brushes are my personal favourite to use. Using a brush for your foundation will give you the best coverage while spreading the foundation thin. Although, if you are using too much foundation, using a brush might give you that cakey look that you are trying to avoid.

A sponge is one of the most popular right now. Using a damp sponge to apply your makeup is known for giving you a quick, skin-like finish. The sponge will absorb excess product, avoiding the cakey look.

Lastly, your fingers or hands. Using your hands or fingers isn’t the most popular method of apply makeup but I find it is one of the most natural. The warmth of your hands warms the product, melting it into your skin. This is also the most cost-effective way when it comes to the amount of product you use. Where brushes and sponges can absorb product, your hands are going to apply everything you dispense onto the skin.

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