When browsing through your photos or upon checking yourself on the mirror, you probably see that dreaded makeup faux pas: the cake finish. This prompts you to re-think your makeup strategy earlier that day. Is it your foundation? Or is it in your application? Whatever the reason may be, a cake-on look isn’t something that you might be too keen to repeat.
To avoid a cake finish on your foundation, here are some rules to live by at all times:
Choose the Right Formula
There are two factors that you need to keep in mind when choosing a foundation to use: 1) the foundation formula and 2) your natural skin tone. If the formula is the type that does not provide enough coverage for your skin, or if it does not complement your skin type, it will definitely result in a caked on finish and an unnatural looking makeup.
Do you have oily or dry skin? What type of coverage do you want – light, medium or heavy? If you’re not sure, here is the general rule of thumb to keep in mind when shopping for a new foundation. Creamy formulations are your best bet if you want to avoid that caked-on finish because they tend to apply better and spread on your skin evenly as compared to powder or mineral-based foundation.
Prep Your Skin
Before you apply the foundation, always give your skin proper cleansing. With clear skin, there is also no need to apply too much foundation, immediately sparing you off the possibility of having a cake-on finish.
Use an oil-free moisturiser if you have a naturally oily skin type. However, all types of skin should get enough moisturisation before applying the foundation. This is a vital step in ensuring a healthier and smoother finish to your foundation.
Meanwhile, those with dry skin should exfoliate and moisturise. It also pays to use a moisturising foundation to get an instant moisture boost to your skin upon application.
Choose the Right Foundation Colour
Aside from having a cake-on finish to your foundation, an uneven skin tone is something you have to worry about if you cannot find the right colour. The goal is to match the colour of your foundation to the natural colour of your skin to allow it to blend in effortlessly (as if it were your natural skin). You should be able to see just one skin tone when you apply the foundation and you know you have found the right match. This also prevents seamless colour transition from your face to the neck.
Use Just the Right Amount
The amount of foundation you use is also critical to avoiding a cake finish. With the right formulation and colour, there is no need to apply too much. You just need to put enough to provide coverage for your skin. You know you have chosen the wrong formulation for your skin type if you find yourself having to apply too many foundation to get the right coverage.
As a general rule, there is no need to apply the foundation to every inch of your skin. You can blend it in to get the coverage you need.
Set it Properly
Another reason why your foundation has a cake-on finish to it? It’s not properly set. Give it a light dusting of translucent powder to allow the foundation to be absorbed completely and give it a soft finish.
How do you ensure that you don’t commit this foundation faux pas? Have you had this experience before?
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