No matter what tool you're using—a foundation brush, a BeautyBlender, or your fingers—buff (or bounce, if you're using a sponge) the foundation into your skin as opposed to “painting” it on to build coverage smoothly and avoid streakiness, says Park.
“Textured or rough skin can cause patchy foundation as the product will settle in and emphasize any skin texture. It's best to gently exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant before the application to remove dead skin,” says Alex.
This usually means your skincare products underneath are clashing. Always leave enough time for your serums and moisturisers to dry between layers. Applying hydrating serums to damp skin can also help. If foundation separation is your issue, try to use products with similar textures.
Make sure your skin is well-prepped with a serum, moisturiser and smoothing primer before you start applying your base. Applying these products before your foundation helps to create a smooth canvas for your makeup to glide onto and prevents makeup from settling into pores and emphasising them.
The number one cause of cakey makeup is layering on too much product. When you really cake on the product, it'll be all too obvious that that's what you did, so make sure that you're sheering it out. And try to use your hand as a palette and then start to manipulate the product on your face.
Acne cosmetica is a mild but persistent form of acne triggered by the use of cosmetics. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the face, neck, hairline, and scalp. Acne cosmetica looks like small bumps across the surface of the skin or scalp. The skin will look and feel rough.
Makeup has a way of leaching the moisture from the skin, accentuating pores, and highlighting fine lines and wrinkles. So if your skin looks worse with foundation, this could be a major culprit. “Most skin types get dehydrated regardless of the oil they produce,” says Dorman.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
Primer helps to prepare the skin, it fills fine lines and wrinkles and creates a clean palette for your makeup, and provides a better base level, overall making your makeup last as long as possible. The primer you choose should be lightweight and oil-free.
This could be due to the buildup on your brush, sponge, or whatever applicator you're using. If you're a daily makeup wearer, oil buildup from constant use without cleaning can cause your application to look less smooth, and can cause breakouts, too.
Don't Forget Makeup Primer
“If you're an oily skin type, to prevent makeup from looking cakey, use a mattifying primer before foundation to help keep the oil from blending into the makeup and turning into a cakey puddle,” says Rivero.
Blend The Foundation Lighter Than You
When in doubt, always pick a shade that is slightly lighter than your complexion rather than darker. This can prevent your complexion from looking darker than the rest of your body. It is the safest way to go when unsure about two shades that may look too light or too dark.
Dehydrated skin and dry patches play a big part in part in making your face dull and your foundation splotchy. To fake some hydration, mix a few drops of Avon's Nutra Effects Miracle Glow Oil into your foundation before you apply it.
The main reason your makeup looks dry is that the underlying skin is dry, and your foundation lacks adequate moisturizer. It can also be caused by skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or even an allergic reaction to your makeup.
Using a primer before applying makeup helps smoothen the appearance of pores, conceal textured skin, and create an even canvas for the rest of your makeup.
Moisturizer does two very important things: First, it smoothes skin's surface for a more even foundation or concealer application and can even help makeup to stay on longer. Second, hydrating skin underneath makeup will help skin to look less dull. Applying foundation on dry skin can cause it to look cakey.
Dab, don't rub.
Whether you're using a foundation brush (synthetic bristles are best) or your fingertips, apply foundation in a stippling motion, which means gently tapping it into your skin. Avoid any wiping or rubbing motions because that will only push the foundation around and cause streaks.
Applying too much product is the leading cause of cakey makeup, makeup artist Alexandria Gilleo tells mbg. "Applying too much product can build up and cause the skin to pill or become uneven, blotchy, and textured." Too much product can mean too much foundation, concealer, or powder.