10 Reasons Your Foundation Looks Cakey—and How to Fix It
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Loading... - Marek Pokorny
- 17 Jun 2022
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We’ve all been there: You reach for a new foundation (or sometimes even one that you’ve used for years) and apply it without a second thought (or glance), only to look in the mirror afterward and notice that your face looks plastered with makeup.
Such is the reality of cakey foundation. But the question is, is it really just your foundation’s fault? According to board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, not always. “Foundation can look cakey and dry as a result of the foundation itself or as a result of the skin that it’s being applied to,” she says.
With that in mind, we chatted with Garshick, as well as makeup artists Lori Taylor Davis and Nick Lujan, to find out all the reasons your foundation looks cakey. Uncover what they are, below.
01
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You Forgot to Prep Your Skin
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There’s a reason why makeup artists suggest running through a proper skincare routine before applying any face makeup products.
“A lot of how a foundation looks on the skin has to do with how we prep the skin to receive makeup,” says Davis. “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. ”
With that in mind, Davis says that proper skin prep should include at least a moisturizer and primer. “Both products can help to alter the surface of the skin, helping to create the maximum perfected surface to receive foundation,” she says, noting that this is true for any skin type.
02
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You Didn't Let Your Primer Dry
Just like dermatologists recommend letting your serums and moisturizer dry before applying sunscreen, makeup artists suggest the same for pre-foundation primers.
“Always allow your skincare or primers to rest a moment before proceeding to apply foundation,” says Lujan. “I like to re-distribute any moisturizer or primer from areas that didn’t absorb or set before applying foundations.” Doing so will prevent caking as well as pilling, so it’s a win-win.
03
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You Didn't Apply Your Moisturizer Properly
If you think that simply applying any old moisturizer will magically transform your skin and help you avoid cakey foundation, think again. Since dry skin tends to repel product, Lujan says that it’s important to not only use a moisturizer but to properly apply it, too.
“Applying a good hydrator (water-based lotion) prior to a thicker, more nourishing cream will help plump up the skin, while the cream creates a more glowy and nourished look to the skin,” Lujan explains. “This hydration and even skin texture create the perfect canvas for applying any style of foundation.”
Still, if you find that even after following Lujan’s lead your foundation looks cakey, they say it’s an easy fix. “Try adding a couple of drops of your skincare into your cream or liquid foundations before applying,” Lujan says. Read More...
