To fix cakey under eye concealer, use a damp makeup sponge to add some hydration to the eye area. Dab the sponge gently over your concealer and let it absorb all the excess product. You can also spray the sponge with a hydrating mist to add some moisture to the skin.
Starting with well-moisturized under-eyes will help concealer go on smoothly, spread evenly, and prevent it from creasing and looking cakey (especially if you have dry skin or mature skin). “Makeup only looks as good as the surface it's sitting on so always focus on your skin first,” says Brenna D.
Choose a Lightweight Formula
Dry concealers tend to crease more because they are less flexible and can cling to the folds of your skin. "I tend to go for light and creamy textured ones," she explains.
L'Oréal Paris Infalliable Full Wear Concealer
This drugstore favorite has a waterproof, full-coverage formula that won't budge or seep into creases and dry patches for a full 24 hours. This matte finish concealer comes in 25 shades to utilize for color correction, concealing breakouts, and even contouring.
Add Setting Powder
For the final step in your concealer application process, dust fine, loose powder over your face with a fluffy brush to set your concealer. "I am a big believer in setting your under-eye with super-light translucent powder.
Choose the right shade
However, sometimes the concealer can make the skin look grey and ashy. The main reason why this happens is that your concealer is too light for your skin tone. Using a concealer that is two or three shades lighter than your skin tone might cause your under-eye area to look more grey.
Dead skin cells often cling to your face and form a rough layer, which does not allow the foundation to blend evenly on your face. Another primary cause of cakey makeup could be dehydrated skin or not using the right skin care or makeup products for your skin type.
Do I apply concealer before or after foundation? Always apply your foundation first, unless you are using a powder foundation. Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes.
"Always go a shade lighter than your foundation." The lighter tone will cancel out dark discoloration, but be careful not to go too fair. Concealers that are more than one shade lighter than your skin tone can leave you with a ghostly shadow.
While concealer for the general areas of your face should match your skin tone, under-eye concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your natural coloring. Using a lighter concealer for your eye area helps cover up under-eye circles and creates a brightening effect.
The reason concealer alone cannot address dark circles is that it often creases and makes the issue much worse. Moisturizing and applying color corrector can help minimize the look of dark circles.
Fingers are best for blending cream products - think concealers, foundations, cream blush, etc. This is because your body heat will blend and disperse better than a brush. The team at BIRCHBOX says it's all about the warmth. The warmth generates slip and movement of the product.
For Better Performance
When your makeup sponge is damp, it makes product application way easier. It goes on more smoothly and ends up in an even, streak-free finish. This is an especially good method if your skin is dry, as there's no brush creating flakes across the surface. Your skin will love the extra moisture!
However, you will get better results when you let your concealer stay on the skin for at least five to ten minutes before blending. Concealer might separate under the eyes if it's not applied correctly. This trick allows your body heat to cook the concealer and let it melt into your skin.
Finish with Loose Powder
Loose powder over top of concealer helps to set it in place and goes one step further to even out skin tone—especially under your eyes. Simply use a translucent powder with a large, fluffy brush to sweep powder over the concealer.
Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
“You can't have a concealer that's too light,” she said, adding that women should choose concealer that's one to two shades lighter than the color of their foundation. “One to two shades … the right color blends itself.
So, do you use concealer before or after foundation? The proper way to apply the two products is to first smooth on a foundation and then apply your concealer. Foundation will create that even canvas we talked about earlier, and then concealer can be used to spot correct any outstanding areas that need extra coverage.