It is common for people who do their makeup to find it difficult to pull off a stunning makeup look without it going wrong and cakey. Regardless of how much you try, sometimes you make these makeup mistakes again and again. Maybe you were thinking it was just the weather or the product or your skin. Well, all of those can be a factor for having cakey makeup. That is why it is very important to know more about your skin and what product you should wear.
What Causes Cakey Makeup?
There are tons of reasons that cause cakey makeup. It could be because of how the foundation is applied, the unremoved dead skin accumulated on the surface, maybe your skin is too dry or too wet, or maybe you layered the products wrongly.
These are the possible reasons that can cause cakey makeup to occur.
1. Wrong Skincare
Skin Care is important whether you are putting on makeup or not. It is good to practice a skincare routine that can help you have better skin and avoid skin conditions like oily, dry, and flaky skin. All of these can affect how you look with makeup on.
Exfoliating and moisturizing the face is the topmost priority during your skincare routine, but not all exfoliating and moisturizing products can help. For dry skin, it is important to consider exfoliating as a part of your skincare routine but sometimes it is also not advisable to use exfoliating products, especially strong chemical exfoliation.
For sensitive skin, it is not advisable to use exfoliating products that require scrubbing, as it could further irritate the skin and cause redness that is hard to cover with makeup. Finally, for oily skin, it is recommended to look for moisturizing products that won’t give that greasy feeling. It is important to understand the ingredients used in the moisturizer so as to achieve water-oil balance for your skin to prevent any unnecessary outbreaks!
You must be asking why it is so important to know what skincare routine will suit you. Skincare helps a lot to achieve your makeup desired look. It also reduces the necessity of over-putting foundations, heavy concealer, and other concealing products that is a huge factor for cakey makeup.
2. Pre-preparation mistakes
An important part of the makeup routine is having your skin prepped. After going through your skincare, a common mistake people make is starting to put the foundation on without putting any product that will hold the makeup.
Primer is a necessary product that should be used before putting on foundation. It helps reduce visible flaws that you have in your face including open pores and acne scars. A primer should be applied at least 30 minutes after your skincare to avoid mixing it with the products you had applied during your routine. You can use your hands, sponge, or a brush to apply it around your face, especially to areas that are sometimes missed like the edges near the ears and the corners of the nose.
3. Bad application of foundation
Always know what foundation will suit your skin. If you have dry skin, use oil-based or water-based foundations to give a dewy finishing. On the other hand, for oily skin, you can also use a water-based foundation to carry out a light foundation result or powder-based foundation that is oil-free. Alternatively, you can look into the ingredients used for the foundation and look out for non-comedogenic, unnatural dyes, perfumes and synthetic ingredients. Mineral makeup is one recommended foundation to use for oily skin, acne-prone skin or sensitive skin.
Remember that the way you apply your foundation is also important. It is better to use a makeup sponge for applying the foundation. Also make sure that you start with a pea-sized amount of product on the back of your hand and use a bouncing motion while gently applying it to your skin.
Putting a lot of foundation for the first layer can make your skin wet which will not let the other products hold onto your skin well. Since you will be adding another product that will cover unwanted spots, you better stick to applying less amount of foundation.
4. Improper Concealer application
As the name suggests, concealer is a product that helps conceal areas that you want to cover like eye bags, pimple marks, and acne scars.
During application, be aware of the amount of concealer you are applying, because too much concealer can also cause cakey makeup. Only use it to conceal unwanted areas. It is best to go for light yet full coverage concealers. In application, using your fingers to dab and slowly blend them into your skin is one of the commonly used methods.
5. Too much Powder
Using powder is the final step for your makeup base, but it is important not to overdo it. There are different types of powders to choose from based on your skin or what finish you are going for. If you wish to choose a powder to prolong your makeup, you can use a setting powder or finishing powder. If you have oily skin, matte-finished, oil control, no-sebum mineral and shine control powders are the best choice.
These powders are not like your usual powder. You don’t need to be applied on your entire face. It serves different purposes depending on how you apply it. You can use a very light amount of setting or finishing powder and dust it on areas like your cheek, chin, forehead, and nose just to make sure it sets your foundation and concealer. Some use a setting powder to “bake” certain areas to highlight their features and add a glowing finish.
Ways to Prevent Cakey Makeup
1. Always remember to exfoliate properly
Flaky skin can result in uneven makeup. Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells and smoothen the skin to avoid lumps or bumpy textures in the skin. This should be practiced often more for those who have dry skin. Exfoliants come as either physical or chemical. Generally, avoid physical exfoliants as it makes the skin susceptible to sagging. Chemical exfoliants dissolve dead skin cells by detaching them from the surface of the skin.
2. Moisturize
Moisturizers prevent dryness and hydrate the skin that allows you to get that glow-like appearance after applying makeup. It also helps add a barrier between the skin and the product to reduce the possibility of having a cakey face. It also helps to keep your face hydrated with necessary moisture to keep the natural glow and fullness of the skin.
If you want to avoid cakey makeup throughout the day, having different types of moisturizers at hand can help. Day-time moisturizers usually SPF in them to protect your skin from the sun. Also, most of them are designed to be used under makeup. It creates a smooth, oil-free canvas for the makeup to set on. On the other hand, night-time moisturizers focus on moisture and recovery. Your skin regenerates while you’re sleeping, so these products tend to have anti-aging compounds that penetrate the skin. If you have acne-prone skin, you should be more cautious about the type of moisturizer to use. Check the labels for oil-free and non-comedogenic products as they’re less likely to cause breakouts.
If products do not give enough moisture to your skin, there are alternative options out there. More and more people are becoming open to the idea of dermal fillers to regenerate their skin’s moisture. There are a lot of filler variants out there that give effective and natural-looking results, so you don’t have to worry. An uprising dermal filler in Asia uses hyaluronic acid- a common ingredient in many skincare products- with six essential amino acids that helps to regenerate the production of collagen and elastin, the building blocks of the skin. As it penetrates the skin, dermal fillers help keep the skin moisturized from the inside-out. To find out more, press HERE.
3. Blend the foundation properly
This is a common mistake done by many people. There are times when there are spots that still have a lot of foundation, causing it to become cakey after applying the other products. Use a damp sponge to help the foundation stick well to the skin and blend it easier.
4. Use a setting spray
After applying all of your makeup, consider applying a setting spray. The setting spray helps eliminate the residue left from the other products, giving a natural finish. It also prolongs the longevity of your makeup so that it can last you through the day and night, perfect for someone who is out for the whole day!
5. Avoid applying too much makeup on creased areas
Creases are the lines you can see in your face. As much as you want to cover it, it is better to avoid applying too much foundation on the area. It actually has the opposite result. The lesser the foundation you put in this area, the less visible it is. The type of foundation applied (as mentioned in the beginning) plays a role in the visible creases, so do be careful on your choice of foundation!
6. Take your time
Each product applied should have a set time. It is wrong to move on to the next product without giving time for the skin to absorb the previous product. For example, after applying primer, it is good to let it set for 1-2 minutes before applying concealer or foundation. Unless you are rushing for time, otherwise, it is good to give your skin time to set the foundation right (literally).
7. Proper makeup tools
Aside from knowing makeup products, you must also make sure you know of the tools you will be using. Whether it is a sponge or a brush, the tools you use determine the quality of your application.
8. Apply every product gently
You don’t have to pound the skin hard for the product to stick. Be gentle and take time to blend the makeup. Also, do not over-apply any of the products. A lot of layers can cause the makeup to drip and become cakey.
Products that Prevents Cakey Makeup
Face Primer
Primer is the base of the makeup. It acts similar to a double-sided tape between the skin and the foundation. Primer is the best product you can use as a base to smoothen the skin and create a poreless surface for the makeup to set on, especially to those who have big, opened pores. Usually, not applying a face primer can cause dots across the T-zone and lumps on a few areas of your face, resulting in a cakey makeup look. It’s just like applying paint on a wall without using a primer.
However, some say that primer isn’t really necessary if you have prepared your skin with the right moisturizers and serums that perfectly suit your skin type. They add that it is only best to use primers for events that will need extra hold for your makeup and for situations you are seen close up. Some examples may include photoshoots, live interviews, awarding ceremonies and other events alike.
Translucent Powder
Translucent powder is one of the all-time favourite products of many makeup artists. Same as a setting spray, using a setting powder can help keep your makeup stay longer.
Setting powder and setting spray differs depending on either your skin type or the way it is applied. Setting sprays are used by spraying it on top of the entire finished makeup, while setting powders are used on specific areas that need more attention like the T-zone where it is commonly oily.
There are also different shades of translucent or setting powder based on the look you are trying to achieve. There are also colorless powders available for all skin tones and tinted shades for a warmer look.
Lastly, remember to not overuse powders. It is a usual mistake that has to be addressed to avoid a cakey look. A light amount of powder is enough to cover the oily areas and hold the foundation for a long time.
Setting Spray
A setting spray is usually a combination of alcohol and water that is used to keep your makeup and prevent it from smudging. It may also be referred to as face mist.
Setting spray is a good product to prolong your makeup especially for long occasions like weddings, company events, business conferences, etc.
With that said, a setting spray is not a daily skincare product and should not be used too often. Remember that it contains alcohol that can cause dryness to your skin. The best way to use setting sprays is applying a light amount of the product by distancing it away from your face upon spraying after your makeup is done. Also, applying too much setting spray at once can cause too much moisture to the makeup, which may cause your makeup to drip or smudge easily.
Same with foundations and powders there are specific setting sprays made for different skin types like oil-control setting sprays that are composed with a matte formula. There are also alcohol-free setting sprays if you’re worried of having dry skin.
Face Foundation
Face foundation can be in liquid, stick or powder form. The purpose of foundation is to create an even surface for the skin where all the other products, including eyeshadows, blush, concealer and bronzer, can stick on.
It covers the uneven areas on the skin to make it look smooth and clean. To achieve a perfect clean look, it is important to know what kind of foundation you need to use.
There are different kinds of foundation made to match your skin type and skin tone. There are foundations for oily skin, dry skin, and other skin types. There are also foundations made with different tones to match the color of your skin and make it look close to natural.
How to Select the Right Foundation
1. Know your shade
One of the mistakes that you may have done before is swatching foundation at the top of your hand to test the color. The thing is, that part of your hand is darker than your face, causing you to choose a darker foundation. It is better to try foundations on areas like your chest, or any spot at the center of the face and blend it towards the hairline to see if it matches the tone of your cheeks.
Also, keep in mind to test foundation colors under natural lighting because light can affect the shade of the foundation. For example, yellow toned lights can make other foundations look warmer.
2. Know how much coverage you will need
Coverage is knowing how dense you want your foundation to be. For people who don’t put on a lot of makeup and only use it for covering a few spots, then a light to medium coverage is advisable. Although, if you need a foundation that needs to stay longer and doesn’t need a lot of touch ups, then a full coverage foundation is best for you.
3. Know your skin type
Skin type is very important when buying products for the skin. The compatibility between the product and your skin type determines how long the makeup will stay and how it will look after a few hours after application.
For oily skin, it is better to use satin finish, light water-based or matte foundation to make it look smooth and control the face from being too greasy. While for dry skin, choose foundations that have more moisture like liquid foundations and stick foundations that are often creamier. If you are not sure of what skin type you have, there are also foundations available that can be used for all any skin type.
4. Identify your undertones
It is important to consider your natural skin tone, whether you have warm or a cooler skin tone. You can identify this by checking your bare skin in front of the mirror. If you can see that you have a yellow tone or a golden tone, this means you have a warmer undertone. On the other hand, if you can see pinky or rosy tones, then your skin has a cool undertone.
These tones are important because it can help you choose a better shade of foundation. Most of the time, products are already labeled whether they are warm-toned or cool-toned foundation.
5. Ask a makeup professional
If it is still difficult for you to understand how to choose the right foundation for your skin, you can always feel free to ask a makeup professional. They will help you understand what shade and type of foundation will suit you best. It’s also not hard to find this information. There are numerous articles and videos online that teach you tips and tricks when it comes to makeup products and applications.
Now that you have all the guides to choosing the right products, make it a habit to keep this information in mind and try to practice them whenever you apply or buy your makeup. Sometimes, it will not be easy to switch products or routines from the ways you were used to, but a few changes can go a long way. After doing so, you’ll feel better with the results and be able to share your personal experiences to other people who had the same problem as yours.