Cakey Foundation

Jan 29, 2013

Melissa J.

I feel like I'm lightyears away from achieving something like an looks-like-own-skin-look :(
It seems that no matter what foundation I use or how little product I put on or how well it's blended, after it's dried I always end up looking too cakey. I HATE it! Gets even worse after setting with powder... I don't think I use too much foundation,and I apply it with a great buffing brush. Does anybody have the same problem or any ideas what I do wrong? ;)
Could it be that certain skin textures are more prone to look cakey when covered with foundation or concealer? Foundation recommendations (oily skin!) are also greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Jan 29, 2013

Alice H.

Are you moisturizing before applying foundation? Also, are you priming? If your face is cakey, putting powder on top is only going to make it worse, try a setting spray instead. It helps to take away some of the cakey look of foundation.

Jan 29, 2013

Melissa J.

I either moisturize or prime.. my skin is too oily for both steps together ;) I have a setting spray, it helps a bit but not really... thanks for your reply!

Jan 29, 2013

Cheyanne C.

Try a foundation called clean and get the one for oily skin, it's very light! :)

Jan 29, 2013

Melissa J.

I'll have a look, thanks :)

Jan 29, 2013

Rachell D.

I get that problem sometimes too. It's not your makeup it's your routine. Exfoliating your skin, using a toner, and moisturizing helps a lot. When this happens to me ill take a break from my foundation and just take really good care of my skin and once my skin is healthy, makeup goes back to looking more natural. Washing your brushes is super important too. An oil free primer too. Oh and let ur moisturizer sit or "set" for a while before you start your makeup, if not you'll just be a streaky/ cakey mess

Jan 29, 2013

Rachell D.

Ps If ur using makeup wipes, stop. Washing your skin with something gentle like neutragena natural makeup remover is better or u end up with buildup

Jan 29, 2013

Alexa B.

I have the same problems as you. The advice about the setting spray will make you one happy gal! ;-)

Jan 29, 2013

Alexa B.

Try different brands because I didn't have luck with my first one either.

Jan 29, 2013

Alexa B.

Try different brands because I didn't have luck with my first one either.

Jan 29, 2013

Darienne D.

I have really oily skin and i find that my foundation did that if i didn't moisturize and the foundation I use Is Revlon Colorstay for oily skin

Jan 30, 2013

Melissa J.

Thanks a lot Rachell, taking good care advice really made me think... everything else I already do, but I think I'm not always taking enough care of my skin!

Thanks Em, I have two different ones!

Thanks Alexa :) I think I'll have a look at other setting sprays! I won't give up haha

Thank you Darienne, I do moisturize when I'm not using Smashbox primer.. haven't yet decided if the stuff was worth the money though :/

Jan 30, 2013

Adreanna R.

You can try a mineral foundation, the base is lightweight and gives your skin a great glow, while correcting any flaws and redness!

Jan 30, 2013

Stephanie D.

I think you may be buffing too much. If you buff a LOT, it will cover up all of your pores (gossmakeupartist did a video on covering pores with both liquid and powder, and you will see how that's done). If you cover absolutely everything it will make the texture of your skin look very unnatural - i.e. cakey.

I also agree with the advice about exfoliating, moisturizing and properly removing makeup at the end of the day.

If you have a hard time following all the steps (since you say you either prime or moisturize but not both), try using a BB cream, which acts like a tinted primer, moisturizer and SPF in one and then buff foundation on ONLY where you feel you need it instead of your entire face.

Jan 30, 2013

Yesenia P.

This happens to me too. Thing is when I'm getting ready for work everyday I'm always in a rush and I moisturizer, prime, and then apply makeup. I don't let the products set in between steps. But when I take an hour and a half to get ready and let everything sink in between products, I get that flawless face. So it does help to prep your face. 

Jan 30, 2013

Ari W.

some skin just doesnt hold makeup well , try a bb cream muxed with tarte maracujas creaseless concealer..that might work

Jan 30, 2013

Trish M.

Use Mac fix+ 

Jan 30, 2013

Tracy G.

Are you using drug store products? If you want a natural, no make up look you need to invest time and money. I had Horrible looking skin for years and foundation was impossible because I was trying the wrong products. Try real bb creams from Asia, and Miracle Skin Transformer. That stuff is amazing. Anything sheer and full of actual nutrients should work. I also suggest investing in a clarisonic and a good night cream 

Jan 30, 2013

Melissa J.

So many helpful comments... thanks a lot everybody!! :)
I have never tried mineral foundation, maybe I should...
I'm sure I don't buff too much, simply because I'm always in a hurry ;)... well yes and that's why I don't let the products set properly I think. I really should take more time!
I do not moisturize AND prime simply because it's not necessary. And I've got oily skin so I tend to use as few products as possible, and the primer moisturizes quite well anyway.
I already have a Clarisonic and worked out a skincare routine that's working for me, actually bought a BB cream today (to be tested!), and the only drugstore products I use are a few eyeshadows and liners, I really dislike drugstore foundations, I can never find the right colours and they melt off my skin within few hours :/.. I use MAC Pro Longwear and Clarins Ever Matte foundation wise, I really like them both! But maybe there are better ones out there for me...

Hope I didn't forget anything.. thanks again girls! :)

Jan 30, 2013

Stephanie D.

I would definitely not skip moisturizer, even if you have oily skin.

Primer is made up mostly of silicones, so it's like smearing plastic on your face. I do mean that pretty literally. Whatever is going on with your skin, it's just putting a layer over it and not helping to correct any problems you may have - in your case, smearing plastic over an already oily surface is just not going to mix that well...it's not going to distribute the primer evenly or keep the primer in place, which defeats the purpose of using it in the first place. 

Jan 30, 2013

Melissa J.

I apply it right after cleansing of course, so the surface is not oily. If I pile on a few layers, my makeup will slide in no time, believe me. Tried and tested. Sometimes my skin doesn't even absorb the lightest moisturizer, it would not be very clever to apply primer over that, for obvious reasons.

Jan 30, 2013

Itzel R.

stephanie is right. moisyurize with a light oil free serum/gel textured moisturizer. give it five minutes to absorb, then appky primer. make sure you are exfoliating twice weekly with a proper exfoliant for ur skin type. also ur skin should look plumped & smooth. your skin otherwise is lacking in moisture & that will show in the makeup.

Jan 30, 2013

Itzel R.

even using a lightweight serum as a moisturizer. like kate somerville quench oil free serum

Jan 30, 2013

Stephanie D.

*shrug*

Your choice. But as far as I know just about every dermatologist on the planet recommends moisturizer, regardless of skin type, every day, twice a day. There are thousands of formulas out there and there's one that will work for you.

Jan 31, 2013

Melissa J.

Pretty bold statement... opinions always differ, you know.
Anyway, thanks for your help, really appreciated!