8 Ways to Fix Cakey Makeup for a Smooth and Flawless Finish

1. Prep Your Skin to Win

Proper skin prep is perhaps the most important step when you’re applying makeup, according to Rivero, who says that “A few factors can cause cakey looking makeup, and the most common is the way oily skin is prepped before the makeup application.” No matter what your skin type is, make sure you don’t skip out on your skincare routine before any makeup touches your face.

• Cleanse: Always wash your face with a good cleanser before applying makeup to get rid of excess dirt, oils, and other impurities. This will ensure you have a fresh base for applying your makeup. (We love: GLOW RECIPE Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser.)

• Exfoliate: At least once a week, use your go-to exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells that build up on your skin and in your pores. Exfoliating can help improve dullness and dry patches, smooth skin texture, and contribute to that flawless base.

• Apply serum: A hydrating face serum, like one made with hyaluronic acid or squalane, can go a long way to lock in moisture and contribute to your overall glow. (We love: THE NUE CO. The Pill All-In-1 Serum.)

• Apply moisturizer: Look for a moisturizer with hydrating ingredients like the ones mentioned above, and massage onto skin at least five minutes before any makeup products to allow it to sink in (and not sit on top of your skin). This will help hydrate dry spots so your makeup applies smoothly and evenly.

2. Blend Away Cakiness

If your makeup is already showing signs of caking and creasing during the day, don’t be afraid to use your handy foundation brush to smooth it all away. Rivero says, “The best way to fix caking makeup is to take a clean foundation brush, spray the brush with a setting spray or toning mist, and with circular motions, blend in the existing makeup.”

3. Don’t Forget Makeup Primer

Primer can be polarizing, but whether you love it or hate it, it’s a key step to keeping your makeup in place and cake-free—no matter your skin type. “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. Normal to dry skin? Look for a primer with hydrating ingredients (check out our Best Hydrating Primers to Perfectly Prep Your Skin to help). Rivero adds that if you have dry to very dry skin, you can use an emollient moisturizer in a pinch.

4. Use a Damp Beauty Sponge

So you applied your makeup in the morning, and by noon it’s looking dry, patchy, and just not cute. Similar to Rivero’s foundation brush hack above, you can reach for a damp beauty sponge (we love: BEAUTYBLENDER Original Beauty Makeup Sponge) to gently smooth out and refresh your makeup. You can also spritz your sponge with a hydrating mist to add back moisture to your skin and make your foundation easier to blend to perfection. To help prevent cakiness from happening in the first place, a damp beauty sponge allows you to dab foundation and concealer into your skin in thin layers—this can help it absorb better and blend to a more natural finish.

5. Choose the Right Products for Your Skin

This may seem obvious, but if the products you’re using aren’t made for your skin type, it will show—whether that means your makeup looks dry and cakey, or oily and uneven. Knowing whether your skin type is normal, dry, combo, or oily will help you select skincare and makeup products that bring out the best in your complexion. For example, if you have oily skin, a matte foundation is best for a shine-free finish. If your skin is dry, look for a cream or liquid foundation (no powder foundation) with hydrating ingredients that keep your skin looking dewy and moisturized. Opt for cream blushes over powders if you need a moisture boost, and use fine, translucent setting powders (we love: NAKED COSMETICS HD Finishing Translucent Powder) that won’t highlight texture, dry spots, and settle into fine lines like full-coverage ones will. Trust us, when your makeup works with your skin, you’ll reap all the glowing benefits.

6. Keep Blotting Papers Handy

Blotting papers are the unsung heroes of oil control. And they do so much more. Use a blotting sheet after you apply your foundation to absorb oils that can cause your makeup to slide and smudge, and to absorb any excess oils lingering on skin. Keep blotting sheets handy and use them to touch up throughout the day to soak up shine and keep your makeup looking fresh and free of cakiness.

7. Oily Skin? Try Toner First

Romer’s oily skin secret for cake-free makeup? Using a good toner. “Use a toner to get rid of any oils prior to applying your mattifying primer. Then, apply your foundation, and before applying any powder, use a tissue to press and roll all over your face to pick up any oil on the surface. This prevents the powder from sticking onto the foundation and looking cakey.” (Need a toner? Check our 20 Best Toners for Your Skin Type.)

8. Lock It in With Setting Spray

Our love for setting spray knows no bounds. Like magic in a bottle, setting sprays ensure your makeup lasts for the long haul and so much more. (We love: SHADES BY SHAN The Setting Spray.) Spritz it on between makeup steps and it helps everything settle and blend together. Similarly, if you use it as the final step of your makeup routine, setting spray helps prevent and fix cakiness, plus add a hit of hydration for a perfect finish.

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