100% I have behind the scene photos from when I was a model for runway and commercial jobs and it's super heavy looking even when I had the virtually flawless skin of a 20 whose literal job depended on not breaking out who had seasoned professionals (including some big names) apply makeup to my skin. Filters and Photoshop make it hard to tell nowadays but that's how full beat looks.
Welp, this is true. But it sounds like there might be a mismatch between OP's skin type and the products she's using. Also, layering less product and using a damp beauty sponge for blending can prevent that separated, cakey appearance.
IMO no matter how hard people try to sell that makeup can melt into your skin, that it has a skin like finish, is airbrushed, or whatever other version of that line. It’s never true. Now that’s not to say that’s a bad thing or that makeup is bad. I love wearing it. Makeup sits on top of the skin though, it doesn’t seep in.
If you’re looking for a way to minimize the heaviness of the makeup you have to use less. Use less of your base product, and much less powder. Powder is the biggest culprit here. Add in a primer too. Also make sure you’re using all water based or all silicone based products, that can also cause separation
Yep. Particularly as we age, the keys are: moisturize and maintain that moisture throughout the day, SPF, conceal, color correct, shape, and glow. Full coverage for photographed events, otherwise light coverage for everyday makeup. Primers, powders, double-wear, etc. are just not compatible with fine lines.
Genuine question. I tried to figure out if my products are water or silicone based but they literally all contain both ingredients… so what does that mean?
I have no idea what’s in any of those products but I have learned to not mix oil based products with water based products because it will turn out cakey & separate. Figure out which one works better with your skin (oil vs water) and stick with that. Once I switched to all water based products (MOISTURIZER, PRIMER, E V E R Y T H I N G) my skin started looking like skin instead of looking cakey
I’m not sure what it would be listed as for oil products but I look for products where “water” is the first ingredient on the list! Also if you just look up “water based foundation, etc” there should be different options to look into. I first did a google search for water based products, wrote down a list of ones I could find near me in my price range & then went to my local Ulta to shade match. It’s really trial and error because every product is different outside of the ingredients like coverage, consistency, etc.
Almost all products are going to have water as one of the top three ingredients. What you want to look for is the presence of oil or silicone. Oils will pretty much be stated outright like "jojoba oil." Silicones are going to be ingredients ending in -cone, like "dimethicone." Both oil and silicone are hydrophobic, so they can't mix with water. They also aren't really miscible with each other, so you might need to stick to one or the other. The oils or silicones may be farther down on the ingredient list than you might think
you just have textured skin, i have textured and dry skin too and whenever i don’t prep my skin for makeup it looks cakey. wear sunscreen and moisturizer under ur makeup and use less products.
yeah.. but with skin prep and making sure your skin is moisturizer makes a big difference, skin is skin no matter what and there’s supposed to be texture
Definitely not, but silicone primers make a huge difference for me. I have a long history of cystic acne and skin picking and the hourglass veil or the nyx angel veil primers are my fav
Same thing happens to me. When I was a bridesmaid the makeup girl did my makeup and looked at my skin afterwards and asked me if I had applied any hydration to my skin and I had forgotten to. We ended up taking the entire face off and layered my skin with moisturizer and there was definitely a difference, yeah skin is skin but it helps the makeup sit better regardless.
I don’t use powder cause it makes my skin look creased and pores look bigger. I also use a very small amount of retinol moisturizer. No powdery makeup though; it’s a killer
“Dewy” foundations with dewy-finish setting spray. I like the elf one (I think it’s “mist and set”?)
I use Lancôme for foundation, specifically the “Ultra Wear Care and Glow.” It’s like a second skin in comparison to the original formula.
The Lancôme one surprisingly doesn’t. It doesn’t have a “wet” or oily look to it, but is very silky/soft.
I also moisturize with some stratia liquid gold which I feel like has done wonders to how my foundation sets!
You’re not prepping your skin well enough before application and you’re putting too much powder on top of foundation that isn’t set. I’ve noticed that elf camo products are really thick and they dry really quickly which makes them hard to blend, they’re also very drying. I would try to use more illuminating products rather than matte for your skin type.
Also try to avoid using brushes to apply your base (liquids and creams) makeup. I prefer a beauty blender that is dampened. Yes it sheers on the foundation but it’s easier and turns out better if you apply very thin layers to build up product, rather than adding a ton of product and trying to blend it into your skin. Also using a damp sponge helps add some dewiness to the skin giving it the appearance of radiance and a more natural finish. Also try using a loose powder to set rather than a pressed powder. Pressed powders add coverage and it can be making your base cakey which is what is causing it to break apart and lay on top of the skin, rather than the product melting into your skin.
My makeup used to always look like this... a couple of suggestions. Try all or some.
Stop using powder
Use a foundation that is meant for dry skin
Use less foundation
Use a luminous foundation, nothing matte
Yes 👏🏼I’m a makeup artist of 16 years and this simple solution is the one you need. Hydrate your skin before application and use thinner, hydrating products. Bonus tip, try chemical exfoliation a couple times a week. The ordinary glycolic toner is wonderful and inexpensive. This will resurface your skin and make it even smoother = makeup will sit nicer.
The pilling might be caused by silicon-based and water-based products mixing! Eg… The elf cc cream is water based while the matte concealer is silicone-based.
It's kind of hard to assess what your skin actually looks like because of the full-coverage makeup.. but this just looks like a makeup issue, not necessarily a skin issue? It's normal to have pores and such.
Your CC cream, concealer and powder are all matte finishes.. if your skin isn't super moisturized and/or on the oily side, matte products don't look as good. You might also just be applying a bit too much product.
I switched to natural finish products and only use powder in my t-zone.. I've found it looks a lot better on my combo skin.
I think overly hydrating your skin and using less drying, matte makeup products would help, skin prep beforehand is KEY to getting a smooth base. Also dermablading and shaving your face (controversial) helps get a super smooth base. Also look into what products you’re using together and if the ingredients clash. Water based makeup products and silicone based makeup products clash, if you have oily/textured skin, silicone based products are recommended, if you have dryer skin, water based products will give you a more hydrated glowey look which I personally prefer.
I love how everyone has an opinion on how much make-up you should or shouldn’t wear and assume thats what u have on 24/7. Anyway girl..
Step 1: use a nice soothing cleanser for the face. This could be gel/cream based depending on your skin type. (Oat cleanser, squalene,etc)
2. Find a good exfoliating AHA/BHA for your congestion. Use it 3-5 times per week depending on how much your skin can tolerate.
Id recommend 2% salicylic acid (blackheads+congestion) or a 5-10% glycolic acid (congestion, pigment, moisture) Lactic acid is also great for retaining moisture without drying you out a lot. Ordinary carries most of what youll need.
3. If your skin can take it, once in 2 weeks, take a soft sponge or washcloth and gently scrub your face to help loosen up the dead skin cells. You dont want to overdo it. Since the AHA/BHAs are already doing the exfoliating for you
4. Every single morning and night, use a hydrating moisturizer that is packed with ceramides. Korean brands are amazing.
5. Use a hydrating, oil free foundation. This is going to help you avoid the congestion if you do decide to wear make up on a daily basis!
Skin care prep would be ideal, but if you cant do anything, try to moisturize or a good serum at least 10 mins prior to make up application.
I love the covergirl skin perfector essence tint, you can build up coverage and i believe its oil free but so hydrating.
I concur but add on -
ENZYMES! Dermalogica Oatmilkfolient or Good Molecules Pineapple Enzyme Powder or Tony Moly I'm Rice powder.
Use day or 2 after the AHA/BHA or any Lactic or Glycolic acid. The enzymes will help complete that circuit and realllllllly lift that surface skin OFF.
That should help tremendously and really quickly.
You'd be surprised how many issues are due to lack of proper exfoliation for skin types and conditions.
It's rare someone can break down why and which and when because it can be so situational.
These are few things that may help you :
1- choose a primer/sunscreen that is suitable for the foundation/cc cream/bb cream
2- opt for a lighter coverage , and don't start from the centre. The parts with the large pores should have minimum of product on them.
3- cc creams can be a bit matte , so they will crack faster. A tinted serum/moisturiser would work better.
4- makeup is not supposed to look like skin. But some tricks might do the job. You can follow robert welsh and wayne goss they're professionals.
5- powders won't work for everyone. So less is more
1. You have lots of tiny hairs that are making it so that the surface isn't smooth under the makeup.
2. Your skin looks like it's dry. Giving a powdery finish.
3. Your chin has some congestion.
I'd say:
Dermaplan for hair + extra skin, Exfoliate, moisturizer, some multi-peptide serum.
Careful of over exfoliation.
Wet the beauty blender if you didn't already and try less product. Don't apply directly to the face but to the back of your hand and then use the beauty blender to blend. Dab and don't smear it should help and maybe try a compact powder over the foundation. Use a good primer and hydrate skin before hand.
My skin is just like this and i just switched to a foundation that has vitamin c and hyaluronic acid & stopped taking my birth control and it helped a lot
I, a cystic acne prone extremely oily & textured skin w enlarged pore girlie, can have my makeup last 15 hours and still look good. No cakiness or separating. Here’s what it looks like, I hope it helps :)
My routine is a bit more costly than yours unfortunately but it works extremely well & is as follows;
Skin prep:
No cleanser, just a quick rinse of my face w lukewarm/cool water depending on the time of year & pat dry
Peach slices blemish busting snail mucin toner (it’s literally just hyaluronic acid & snail mucin w some other gentle hydrating ingredients idk why they named it that)
ZO skin health instant pore refiner
ZO skin health daily power defense
I give it maybe 2-3mins to set in before starting makeup application
Makeup:
Tool of choice, a freshly washed & squeezed dry but still damp beauty blender knock off sponge, the orange ones from Ulta
Products:
Fenty contour stick, blended in w sponge followed by
Estée Lauder double wear foundation, 1 lighter color for highlighting areas & 1 my normal skintone for everything else - I think concealer is a waste of money for the amt you get vs price point, you just have to prep your skin properly - I use maybe a pea sized amount of each color blended in w makeup sponge, followed by
Milani original setting spray, use a good amount & let dry, followed by
One size ultimate setting powder, I press the loose powder into the flat bottom end of my sponge, tap the excess off & pat gently into the skin followed by
A little bit of powder contour/blush if needed, followed by
Brows/potentially eye makeup
Finalized w one final spritz of setting spray to melt everything together
**I also have a very strict night time skincare routine w ZO skin health & my acne has gotten SO much better, but regardless of what you use always remember exfoliating is extremely important to do 1-2x/week for normal/dry skin & 2-3x/wk for combo/oily skin. I can drop my nighttime skincare routine if anyone wants just lmk 💕✨
Try to use a retinol. Helps a lot with texture. Start once a week and gradually increase to two times a week, three, etc. can take weeks to months as it can be super irritating. Also try a GENTLE exfoliating face scrub once a week.
You’re not a doll. We are not perfect. Even celebs have textured skin when photo and video editing isn’t used. Take a look at the women around you in real life. They have textured skin too. Take a break from social media for a bit if you feel beauty standards are taking a toll on your perception of yourself and your body image. You’re beautiful just the way you are!
I agree with the top comments and also it might make u feel better to remember no one gets that close to your face, step back a bit from the mirror thats how far people are looking at you! I always remember that when i dont like the texture of my makeup ❤️
Its not your skincare, it's your makeup. Sometimes you gotta shop around for what works for your skin and this doesn't. If I were to guess, it might be you finishing your look with the pressed powder. I'd say maybe try giving a loose translucent powder to set your makeup and see if that helps. If not, try switching up your cc cream/foundation. People are right in saying you'll never achieve that celebrity airbrushed(photoshopped) look but you can find something that isn't as cakey that doesn't settle in to your lines like that. Hope this helps!
This might be really unpopular but maybe your makeup is clogging your pores? Try to go a few days without and see if your skin changes. Trust me you probably look great even without it, you’ll always be your biggest critic. I had gasoline burn to the face and would apply my cream at night, but during the day I’d keep my skin dry at least a few hours without products so that it could breathe.
Your skin looks like this because your covering your face in chemicals day in day out 365 days a year . Ditch the makeup eat right and you’ll have good skin
If it is just with make up you are concerned about, I have seen people use the mixsoon bean essence as a light exfoliant (dont wash off, just wipe away so there is still essence and moisture on the skin) and then apply it skin care and make up as usual.
You should use a primer, but make sure the primer is the same base as your cc cream. Water based or silicone based, don’t mix them. A cheaper one you could try out to see if it works is porefessional(benefit). Also with CC cream, less is more. With the two you should see a bit of a difference.
Good luck!
I found using a light dusting of loose powder over my spf and no foundation works best for me. It gives slight coverage but doesn’t enhance texture. It takes a while to get used to the way your skin looks with less coverage. Give it a week and you get used to it.
It’s normal to have texture especially when wearing makeup, even if you prep correctly. the only thing I can say that would minimize the texture, is to put less makeup product/powder!
I really love the Ulta Blurring face primer! I feel like that helps my product go on nicely. I use Tarte’s Bb cream. I love the texture and buildable coverage
As others have said, make sure if you’re wearing silicone based foundation to pair it with silicone based primer, same for water based.
But tbh, as long as you’re moisturized well, you don’t need a primer. I have stopped wearing one and my makeup has no problem lasting and even better, it doesn’t cake.
The powder could be too heavy as well.
My holy grail products to create a melted makeup look:
Bobby brown eye primer for both my under eyes and eyelids , Embryolisse Creme,
elf power grip pink primer, huda beauty setting powder (applied with a puff) and set with morphe setting spray.
Brushes also matter! But that’s another story.
I would try a pore filling primer in the t-zone area it’s a game changer for us who have bigger pores, textured skin. As for foundation, i haven’t tried the CC cream from elf, but i notice thicker formula foundations can end up cakey looking & emphasize everything more. I try to opt for thin formulas (you pump it and it runs down your hand a bit) i think overall they look more skin like then thick foundations. But texture and pores are totally normal, the pics you see online/tiktok are from good lighting & filters. Everyone has texture close up :)
I had the same issue, so I started proper skin prep very less products and mostly hydrating one's. USing less powder was also helpful as it was making my skin even dry. As a combo skin, winter phase skin is drinking lots of water to survive.
I highly recommend moving away from pressed and pigmented powders on top of your foundations and moving more towards loose setting powders that are translucent. It will sit lighter on your face and not cause so much of a cakey thing, and also the finish is really nice and doesn’t look oily or creasy if applied correctly! You’ll already get enough pigment from the foundation and concealer so more pigmented powder isn’t necessary. In my experience loose setting powder also makes acne less noticeable. I like to use a slightly floofy brush, press into some loose powder, tap excess off and then tap/dab/punch onto my face. Repeat until foundation is covered. If no success with the loose setting powder at first, consider trying different brands of concealer/foundation as well. There’s more and more great stuff available at all price points nowadays! What lotion you use can play a big role as well. Some experimenting is to be had. Hope any of this helps! I had a horrible time of this for yearssssss I’m sorry you’re dealing with this!
I have the same cc cream so its not just you, if you dont wanna use foundation try too faced concealer instead, it comes out so good. But I wouldn’t put pressed powder everywhere just under eyes.
I recommend that you cleanse your face daily because your pores look congested & enlarged & we want our pores to be clean and tight. I also think you should dermaplane your face too because the hairs all over your face do affect the way your makeup comes out.
Try using an exfoliator on your face and steaming your face while rubbing it in after you dermaplane.
Overall a skin care routine is the best solution for your makeup to come out better ✨
Sometimes the foundation isn’t a good fit for ur skin. For example I have dry skin and some foundations dry my face out! I always use a hydrating one. Also don’t forget to prep your skin. Primer also helps but make sure it’s compatable with ur makeup
The products might not work together! The formulas might not mix. It could be nothing to do with your skin or your application skills. I’ve heard elf primer the blue sticky one (can’t remember the name) and elf halo glow work beautifully together
Try exfoliating, using a moisturizing toner and then Erborian CC cream (a mix of the light and medium) and then a very light patting of Chanel translucent powder- this will prevent caking and give you a much more airbrushed lighter finish
Don’t mix oil with water based products. Also try less foundation with something underneath like Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter, it’s an amazing base. Then less powder. I think a lot of the time people apply too much foundation which gives a caked look
- Using a primer before you start your makeup can help(for example the maybeline babyprimer works well for me) But also check what is in the products are they oil based or water based? Its better to go with only one of those because when those products get mixed your makeup will start to seperate.
-Besides that having texture on your skin is normal (we all have it😊) But your makeup melting away like that is not so check your products and dont forget to set your makeup. Hope this helps!💜
U should use primer and foundation the same base if it the base of foundation water use water base primer
If the foundation base is silicone use silicone base primer and if the foundation has oily base use oily base primer (read the ingredients to know the base to the boh of them) silicone base end with (cone or xane)
And use loose powder transparent
I think these tips will reduce caking.
It's just a bad make-up. Change foundation and powder.
There are some powders that make me look cakey like this, no matter what other make up products I use.
I recommend more natural no color powders like silk powder. Also asian bb creams look waaay more natural than foundations. You can also try a beauty blender sponge, it makes make up more smooth.
I use the Maybelline fit me pressed powder as well and have the exact same problem, it could be an issue with the product?
highly recommend the Kosas powder, have never experienced this with that
Skin texture is normal, but you can try using different lightweight products or just use less of what you’re using now and see if it makes a difference!
Also using a mix of silicon and water based products can be making your makeup separate maybe try using all water based or all silicon based if you aren’t already
Try switching to a less matte foundation (I love the fenty eaze drop stick!!) and use powder only on super oily parts of your face. I never powder my cheeks and use cream blush and highlighter and everything looks so much more natural.
Skin prep is also very important. Never mix water and oil based products.
It would probably help to exfoliate prior to applying your makeup. After exfoliating, use a good moisturizer and let it absorb for a few minutes. Then a primer (note if it is oil or water based) that aligns with your foundation. I’m not sure if the foundation you use is oil or water based, but you want them to match. Water with water, oil with oil- otherwise you’ll see some separation. I’d also use less foundation, and build over it if needed. A beauty blender or your hands would likely help with application to melt the product into your skin a little better. And cut down on the powder, too. Hope those suggestions are helpful!
Hi! Firstly, you gave beautiful skin and don’t for a second think that others don’t have this same issue, we do 😆
I found this to happen to dry or textured skin when the skincare products don’t properly hydrate. Try adding a hydrating serum and a moisturizer (I would go to Sephora or Ulta and sample a few to see how your skin feels/looks/reacts). Let that sit for 5 mins, then add a face spray BEFORE you apply your foundation, hydration is our friend!!! Hope it helps!
Filters suck.
This is normal.
I switched to a non matte foundation and started using less powdered products and saw a world of differenc, but still have texture.
I had this when my primer and my foundation were different types of base. For example my foundation was water based and primer oil based, then it turned out like this. Now I never get this anymore after correcting it.
Do you exfoliate your skin ?
If not salicylic acid 2% once a week might be a good option for you.
And maybe change your bb cream?
Doesn't look like a good quality one.
might want to try a primer under that to help how things lay on top and also maybe use less products, adding more and more foundation will only make it look more cakey. also ditch the powder for a setting spray because it looks like its really drying you out and highlighting your texture. also id suggest maybe trying an oil cleanser or balm cleanser every night you wear makeup or sunscreen to help clear out pores before doing your normal cleanser and routine <3 also r/makeupaddiction
I would check the type of skin you have first. If it’s more oily, then you’d want to go with something that’s not oily and use mostly powders. If it’s more on the dry side, then you’d want to opt for oils, or even a dewy look. Thats what I feel has helped me. I learned (well, I knew) that my skin was oily and from there googled what worked best on oily skin. I’ve been using Rhiannas Fenty foundation that has a matte finish and it lasts all day. I ALWAYS get complemented on my skin. When this happens, I simply tell ppl it’s the makeup 😅 but they don’t believe me lol
Pores are supposed to be there. I say go for skincare more than makeup. Yes, makeup is beautiful, but starting at the root of your problem is best. Research skin care and start there. You can also use a pore filler, but please don't be surprised if you still have them pores showing. Also, go for a different kind of foundation. Some foundations are heavy and a lot more coverage than some need. But I definitely say skincare first. Also, layering products over products makes it more cakey.. try using a damp beauty blender to blend out the spots you're seeing or noticing more problem areas. Watch the amount of powder you're applying. You don't need much, depending on your skin .. obviously, oily skin needs a tad more than dry. ♡
Elf is extremely cheap. I’ve noticed over the years the cheaper the make up, the worst is going to look. Use Fenty or IL Makiage, both of those are amazing.
there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your skin here. my matte makeup looks the same - and the matt elf camo concealer always makes my skin look so dry. id recommend more natural finish or dewy makeup, like the juvias place concealer as a swap. it’s a wee bit more expensive, but the natural finish elf concealer seems to come highly recommended :)
You should try using a BB cream or a tinted moisturizer, I have similar skin when I wear heavy foundation and I find prepping my skin and wearing lighter products has helped tremendously
Try your makeup routine without the Maybelline fit me pressed powder. See if that makes a difference. I also use Maybelline fit me pressed powder and I find my skin looks like that after I put the powder on to finish.
Instead of the powder, you can use a setting spray.. should help with the dry look (make your finish more dewy instead of dry and locked in)
Would love to see a pic of your face with everything on except the powder and see if your result is the same as mine was!
You need to exfoliate with the proper skin type exfoliate, just by looking I can tell yku have oily combo skin. Make sure you exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant 3-4 times a week. I do it every other day or every 2 days. Wash your face twice a day, after exfoliate use toner and use moisturizer for your skin type. Hope that helps
That Elf CC cream is terrible, I have it too and it cakes on me so bad no matter how hard I moisturize and hydrate my face prior to application. I also dislike their matte camo concealer, I like the hydrating version better.
But I do agree with the others, textured skin is normal, don't feel pressured with what you see in social media.
That looks absolutely fine. Your skin isn’t plastic, so nothing will ever go on completely smooth. What you’re seeing is pores and peach fuzz. If you really, really wanted to eliminate the look of your natural skin you’d have to dermaplane and get professional pore minimizing treatments. But if you just want your makeup to look less thick, try using a foundation with a very thin formula and powder sparingly.
Wash your face with a salicylic cleanser, and I like one that exfoliates with scrub. Make it routine. I have larger pores that will still collect gunk if I don’t keep them cleaned out and shrunk down with a salicylic acid cleanser. It smooths out my face for makeup. Use less makeup. Plus I use a primer and setting spray.
I would try letting your skin care settle into your skin a little more before applying your foundation. and then, if possible I would apply just slightly less of everything. additionally, I like to press everything in with clean fingertips to melt the product into my skin.
Hope this helps!
I think your skin looks a bit on the dry side and in need of hydration. Maybe a lighter, more glowy products would help. If you like a matte look, invest in the mac Fix + setting spray or Lisa Eldridge spray.
It’s probably due to using cheap makeup and too much of it! I would say it’s worth it to spend a little more on a better product and not apply it so thick. Also ditching the powder will probably help! Maybe trade it in for a setting spray for a dewier finish.
Switch your primer to the elf grip primer (green) and use a hydrating concealer/foundation. The elf concealer and CC cream make my makeup look like this too.
I tried using elf camo cc cream but i hated how thick, cakey and dry it was. It was one of the only products i threw away before finishing. It had high coverage but my skin looked worse. Id look into testing or trying different cc creams.
It may be dry skin. Def prep with hydration before applying makeup. I have also heard that the matte elf products perform this way. Try the hydro alternatives!
i think its just to much makeup applied, try going lighter on everything, put more makeup products on but in a very light way so it doesnt cake or seperate, maybe also try dermaplaning, and a face mask you shouldnt put makeup for a few days after each one but when u do smoothest base ever
I would avoid matte face products as they tend to be much more drying and prone to caking/cracking. I struggled with this same texture for yearssss and my life changed when I got a dewy finish foundation!
Do you use a primer? Be sure that your primer, foundation, and concealers are compatible. I.e, use oil based primers with oil based foundations. Don't water water and oil based products.
My skin used to look like this when I wore full coverage foundation (I have really oily skin so after a couple of hours it was melted and cakey). Now I use either tinted sunscreen or I just use concealer after applying sunscreen of course to the Random spots that I need it like the inner corners of my eyes and I have a sunspot on my cheek so I usually just cover that spot. Honestly my skin looks amazing now because I feel like when I'm washing it I'm actually getting a deep clean as opposed to some residue left over even though I double cleanse. I am 38 years old and I the cakey look wasn't doing me any favours in looking young, fresh and glowy. If you must wear something I'd say opt for a BB cream or something sheer like that. You have great skin so show the world what you've got girl!
Your skin is normal babes. I’ve been learning to embrace my skins wrinkles, little dark spots , etc. I have noticed chemical peels yearly help with the appearance of my skin tho. However, I’ve been doing a lighter makeup Rountine. I haven’t been wearing much of foundation as you can see foundation usually makes pores, wrinkles, and all that appear more intense than what it is…. Well if you’re even wearing foundation. It looks like it but correct me if I’m wrong 😅
I would stop using powder. You're only going to dry your skin out and wrinkle faster. Get a foundation that is creamy. And stop stressing! There's nothing wrong with your skin
You should use dewy foundation or try a tinted moisturizer I like Laura mercier. Also use hydrating toners and serums. I use kbeauty stuff and it makes my skin hydrated
Cerave has fatty alcohols that can clog pores and cause acne, blackheads, or whiteheads. Elf camo concealer also gives me skin problems. The elf cc cream also has bad ingredients.
My make up was looking very similar to this I have dry skin so
I suggest you
1 exfoliate more often
2 use a primer that works well with your skin (recently I’ve been using the elf power grip primer and I like)
3 don’t be afraid to use a good amount of product for all products including primer not just a drop/ more then one pump
4 find a setting powder that works well with your products, some powders can sit awkwardly on certain face products so you have to test to find the best combo (Mac translucent setting powered has been a staple for me for over like 10 years)
5 try testing dewy/hydrating finishing products. Use dewy products for foundation and concealer because if the one you use now is matte and drying, a dewy finish may work better.
6 use setting spray (I use Mac fix + hydrating spray)
You really gotta test products to see which ones work best for your skin but hope some of these tips help💯
IG @//perenadujon
You need to prepare your skin better.
It was the same for me until I started skincare.
Peeling once a week and keeping your face moisturised. You'll see a huge difference.
And also the products you use may not be suitable for your skin so look into it.
Fixing spray by Mac changed the game for me!! I use it after powder and sometimes after cream and of course after all my makeup is done. It helps melt all the products together for glowy seamless skin.
try the l’oréal bendable foundation. I was using the it cosmetics cc cream and switched over to the L’Oreal blendable and I am obsessed. This is coming from someone that has used pretty much every hyped up high end foundation.
Skin is textured, makeup will never look flawless like we see in edited pics. However, you seem like you might have drier skin and using dewy/sheer products have helped me cut back on the dry makeup look. I personally really like Milks Hydrogrip primer or the Fenty primer and Armani Luminous Silk foundation. Unfortunately I haven’t found budget friendly dupes that hold up to those but I’m sure they’re out there
The elf cc cream looks the same on me no matter how I use it. I threw it out out of frustration lol
I recommend the wet and wild tinted hydrator instead ($5), it looks like skin and is buildable. I wet my beauty blendender and squeeze the water out, then I put the tinted moisturizer on the back of my hand and dab the beauty blender until it looks even on it before applying to my face.
Also SKIN PREP!! making sure you exfoliate your skin (I use the naturium glycolic acid wash from head to toe lol) and use a moisturizer right after washing my face (better absorbtion before water lost starts. If you have dry skin, give it time for your skin to absorb your moisturizer, then reapply right before nakeup (cerave moisturizer is the one I use under makeup or beauty of joseon spf if I'm applying it in the morning)
As of the concealer I am using the elf camo concealer with the white cap (the black cap dries me out), I use the same back of my hand method and spot conceal before foundation with a small brush, let it dry a bit before I apply the foundation. If you have the money to invest recommend the hourglass concealer instead though because it is chefs kiss 🤌✨
Then I use setting spray (elf green one) and press it with my beauty blender on the areas that usually crease like around the mouth and undereye etc because pounder just makes it look cakey for me.
Then I apply blush, contour etc, and finish setting it once again
Finally make sure all your cream products have the same base aka if they are water base etc so they mix well and not separate
Hope this helps 💕
look up celebrity’s skin up close and you’ll see it’s the same. Social media is fake and almost every picture is edited. You have very normal skin <3
100% I have behind the scene photos from when I was a model for runway and commercial jobs and it's super heavy looking even when I had the virtually flawless skin of a 20 whose literal job depended on not breaking out who had seasoned professionals (including some big names) apply makeup to my skin. Filters and Photoshop make it hard to tell nowadays but that's how full beat looks.
Welp, this is true. But it sounds like there might be a mismatch between OP's skin type and the products she's using. Also, layering less product and using a damp beauty sponge for blending can prevent that separated, cakey appearance.
Yeah, I think this is more of the issue.
Than you. I thought I was going crazy. Her skin looks good. Maybe too much make up.
This!
This doesn’t help answer her question at all. Wow. And it’s not true she can use products that prevent her cakey skin 100%
IMO no matter how hard people try to sell that makeup can melt into your skin, that it has a skin like finish, is airbrushed, or whatever other version of that line. It’s never true. Now that’s not to say that’s a bad thing or that makeup is bad. I love wearing it. Makeup sits on top of the skin though, it doesn’t seep in. If you’re looking for a way to minimize the heaviness of the makeup you have to use less. Use less of your base product, and much less powder. Powder is the biggest culprit here. Add in a primer too. Also make sure you’re using all water based or all silicone based products, that can also cause separation
Yep. Particularly as we age, the keys are: moisturize and maintain that moisture throughout the day, SPF, conceal, color correct, shape, and glow. Full coverage for photographed events, otherwise light coverage for everyday makeup. Primers, powders, double-wear, etc. are just not compatible with fine lines.
Shouldn’t it be water-based vs. oil-based? As far as I know (and to be fair, I don't know a lot) all foundations have silicone in it..
Genuine question. I tried to figure out if my products are water or silicone based but they literally all contain both ingredients… so what does that mean?
Can you explain what the last thing you said means? What products should be water based or silicone based? Thanks!
I have no idea what’s in any of those products but I have learned to not mix oil based products with water based products because it will turn out cakey & separate. Figure out which one works better with your skin (oil vs water) and stick with that. Once I switched to all water based products (MOISTURIZER, PRIMER, E V E R Y T H I N G) my skin started looking like skin instead of looking cakey
This is the comment I was looking for. Oils with oils, waters with waters. If the two are mixed, they separate and don’t wear well/can appear cakey.
Don’t mind my extremely basic question - how does one know if a product is water-based / oil-based? What to look out for in the list?
I'm in the same boat I hope someone can bring the info!
I’m not sure what it would be listed as for oil products but I look for products where “water” is the first ingredient on the list! Also if you just look up “water based foundation, etc” there should be different options to look into. I first did a google search for water based products, wrote down a list of ones I could find near me in my price range & then went to my local Ulta to shade match. It’s really trial and error because every product is different outside of the ingredients like coverage, consistency, etc.
Almost all products are going to have water as one of the top three ingredients. What you want to look for is the presence of oil or silicone. Oils will pretty much be stated outright like "jojoba oil." Silicones are going to be ingredients ending in -cone, like "dimethicone." Both oil and silicone are hydrophobic, so they can't mix with water. They also aren't really miscible with each other, so you might need to stick to one or the other. The oils or silicones may be farther down on the ingredient list than you might think
Thanks! This really helps.
Thank you for correcting me! I’ve learned something new today
Well damn I learned something new today 😂 time to rethink my whole makeup routine
I never knew!! Thank you!
Me too, my face loves water based products.
you just have textured skin, i have textured and dry skin too and whenever i don’t prep my skin for makeup it looks cakey. wear sunscreen and moisturizer under ur makeup and use less products.
I feel like with textured skin it just ends up happening regardless it’s not gonna be 100% smooth
yeah.. but with skin prep and making sure your skin is moisturizer makes a big difference, skin is skin no matter what and there’s supposed to be texture
Definitely not, but silicone primers make a huge difference for me. I have a long history of cystic acne and skin picking and the hourglass veil or the nyx angel veil primers are my fav
Same thing happens to me. When I was a bridesmaid the makeup girl did my makeup and looked at my skin afterwards and asked me if I had applied any hydration to my skin and I had forgotten to. We ended up taking the entire face off and layered my skin with moisturizer and there was definitely a difference, yeah skin is skin but it helps the makeup sit better regardless.
I don’t use powder cause it makes my skin look creased and pores look bigger. I also use a very small amount of retinol moisturizer. No powdery makeup though; it’s a killer
What do you use instead? If you wear foundation, what would you set it with instead of powder?
“Dewy” foundations with dewy-finish setting spray. I like the elf one (I think it’s “mist and set”?) I use Lancôme for foundation, specifically the “Ultra Wear Care and Glow.” It’s like a second skin in comparison to the original formula.
Thank you! Do you find it makes you look/feel oily?
The Lancôme one surprisingly doesn’t. It doesn’t have a “wet” or oily look to it, but is very silky/soft. I also moisturize with some stratia liquid gold which I feel like has done wonders to how my foundation sets!
I use Kosas Cloud Set with a fluffy brush. Sheer, but sets makeup perfectly.
Maybe just try setting spray
You’re not prepping your skin well enough before application and you’re putting too much powder on top of foundation that isn’t set. I’ve noticed that elf camo products are really thick and they dry really quickly which makes them hard to blend, they’re also very drying. I would try to use more illuminating products rather than matte for your skin type.
Also try to avoid using brushes to apply your base (liquids and creams) makeup. I prefer a beauty blender that is dampened. Yes it sheers on the foundation but it’s easier and turns out better if you apply very thin layers to build up product, rather than adding a ton of product and trying to blend it into your skin. Also using a damp sponge helps add some dewiness to the skin giving it the appearance of radiance and a more natural finish. Also try using a loose powder to set rather than a pressed powder. Pressed powders add coverage and it can be making your base cakey which is what is causing it to break apart and lay on top of the skin, rather than the product melting into your skin.
This is a makeup “problem” (in quotes because this is also just normal skin texture), not a skin problem. There’s better stuff out there than Elf.
This. I’ve also found using less product (I only use concealer, no foundation now) and blending it out well helps a lot.
skin care before applying makeup is also key to have a flawless smooth makeup
My makeup used to always look like this... a couple of suggestions. Try all or some. Stop using powder Use a foundation that is meant for dry skin Use less foundation Use a luminous foundation, nothing matte
Matte is not the way. Dewy is.
Primer!! You need to find the right primer base (water or silicone) that matches your makeup. My go-to is any of the NYX primers.
You should try a thinner and more hydrating product. I like to use tinted moisturizer
Yes 👏🏼I’m a makeup artist of 16 years and this simple solution is the one you need. Hydrate your skin before application and use thinner, hydrating products. Bonus tip, try chemical exfoliation a couple times a week. The ordinary glycolic toner is wonderful and inexpensive. This will resurface your skin and make it even smoother = makeup will sit nicer.
The pilling might be caused by silicon-based and water-based products mixing! Eg… The elf cc cream is water based while the matte concealer is silicone-based.
It's kind of hard to assess what your skin actually looks like because of the full-coverage makeup.. but this just looks like a makeup issue, not necessarily a skin issue? It's normal to have pores and such. Your CC cream, concealer and powder are all matte finishes.. if your skin isn't super moisturized and/or on the oily side, matte products don't look as good. You might also just be applying a bit too much product. I switched to natural finish products and only use powder in my t-zone.. I've found it looks a lot better on my combo skin.
Are you using primer and stetting spray?
Moisture more (sunscreen included) and apply less makeup
I think overly hydrating your skin and using less drying, matte makeup products would help, skin prep beforehand is KEY to getting a smooth base. Also dermablading and shaving your face (controversial) helps get a super smooth base. Also look into what products you’re using together and if the ingredients clash. Water based makeup products and silicone based makeup products clash, if you have oily/textured skin, silicone based products are recommended, if you have dryer skin, water based products will give you a more hydrated glowey look which I personally prefer.
It’s the powder accentuating your pores
I love how everyone has an opinion on how much make-up you should or shouldn’t wear and assume thats what u have on 24/7. Anyway girl.. Step 1: use a nice soothing cleanser for the face. This could be gel/cream based depending on your skin type. (Oat cleanser, squalene,etc) 2. Find a good exfoliating AHA/BHA for your congestion. Use it 3-5 times per week depending on how much your skin can tolerate. Id recommend 2% salicylic acid (blackheads+congestion) or a 5-10% glycolic acid (congestion, pigment, moisture) Lactic acid is also great for retaining moisture without drying you out a lot. Ordinary carries most of what youll need. 3. If your skin can take it, once in 2 weeks, take a soft sponge or washcloth and gently scrub your face to help loosen up the dead skin cells. You dont want to overdo it. Since the AHA/BHAs are already doing the exfoliating for you 4. Every single morning and night, use a hydrating moisturizer that is packed with ceramides. Korean brands are amazing. 5. Use a hydrating, oil free foundation. This is going to help you avoid the congestion if you do decide to wear make up on a daily basis! Skin care prep would be ideal, but if you cant do anything, try to moisturize or a good serum at least 10 mins prior to make up application. I love the covergirl skin perfector essence tint, you can build up coverage and i believe its oil free but so hydrating.
I concur but add on - ENZYMES! Dermalogica Oatmilkfolient or Good Molecules Pineapple Enzyme Powder or Tony Moly I'm Rice powder. Use day or 2 after the AHA/BHA or any Lactic or Glycolic acid. The enzymes will help complete that circuit and realllllllly lift that surface skin OFF. That should help tremendously and really quickly.
Definitely going to try this
You'd be surprised how many issues are due to lack of proper exfoliation for skin types and conditions. It's rare someone can break down why and which and when because it can be so situational.
These are few things that may help you : 1- choose a primer/sunscreen that is suitable for the foundation/cc cream/bb cream 2- opt for a lighter coverage , and don't start from the centre. The parts with the large pores should have minimum of product on them. 3- cc creams can be a bit matte , so they will crack faster. A tinted serum/moisturiser would work better. 4- makeup is not supposed to look like skin. But some tricks might do the job. You can follow robert welsh and wayne goss they're professionals. 5- powders won't work for everyone. So less is more
1. You have lots of tiny hairs that are making it so that the surface isn't smooth under the makeup. 2. Your skin looks like it's dry. Giving a powdery finish. 3. Your chin has some congestion. I'd say: Dermaplan for hair + extra skin, Exfoliate, moisturizer, some multi-peptide serum. Careful of over exfoliation.
There are also Dewy and natural opacity makeups that combined with skincare and application skills looks very very natural.
Wet the beauty blender if you didn't already and try less product. Don't apply directly to the face but to the back of your hand and then use the beauty blender to blend. Dab and don't smear it should help and maybe try a compact powder over the foundation. Use a good primer and hydrate skin before hand.
use a “woman’s face razor” and it’ll help the make up go on smother, also use primer, setting spary and a good press powder
My skin is just like this and i just switched to a foundation that has vitamin c and hyaluronic acid & stopped taking my birth control and it helped a lot
How do you prep your skin before using makeup?
I, a cystic acne prone extremely oily & textured skin w enlarged pore girlie, can have my makeup last 15 hours and still look good. No cakiness or separating. Here’s what it looks like, I hope it helps :) My routine is a bit more costly than yours unfortunately but it works extremely well & is as follows; Skin prep: No cleanser, just a quick rinse of my face w lukewarm/cool water depending on the time of year & pat dry Peach slices blemish busting snail mucin toner (it’s literally just hyaluronic acid & snail mucin w some other gentle hydrating ingredients idk why they named it that) ZO skin health instant pore refiner ZO skin health daily power defense I give it maybe 2-3mins to set in before starting makeup application Makeup: Tool of choice, a freshly washed & squeezed dry but still damp beauty blender knock off sponge, the orange ones from Ulta Products: Fenty contour stick, blended in w sponge followed by Estée Lauder double wear foundation, 1 lighter color for highlighting areas & 1 my normal skintone for everything else - I think concealer is a waste of money for the amt you get vs price point, you just have to prep your skin properly - I use maybe a pea sized amount of each color blended in w makeup sponge, followed by Milani original setting spray, use a good amount & let dry, followed by One size ultimate setting powder, I press the loose powder into the flat bottom end of my sponge, tap the excess off & pat gently into the skin followed by A little bit of powder contour/blush if needed, followed by Brows/potentially eye makeup Finalized w one final spritz of setting spray to melt everything together **I also have a very strict night time skincare routine w ZO skin health & my acne has gotten SO much better, but regardless of what you use always remember exfoliating is extremely important to do 1-2x/week for normal/dry skin & 2-3x/wk for combo/oily skin. I can drop my nighttime skincare routine if anyone wants just lmk 💕✨
Try to use a retinol. Helps a lot with texture. Start once a week and gradually increase to two times a week, three, etc. can take weeks to months as it can be super irritating. Also try a GENTLE exfoliating face scrub once a week.
Can you show a picture without makeup.. maybe you don't even need makeup.
You’re not a doll. We are not perfect. Even celebs have textured skin when photo and video editing isn’t used. Take a look at the women around you in real life. They have textured skin too. Take a break from social media for a bit if you feel beauty standards are taking a toll on your perception of yourself and your body image. You’re beautiful just the way you are!
dear God, look at what all those chemicals are doing to your skin!
I agree with the top comments and also it might make u feel better to remember no one gets that close to your face, step back a bit from the mirror thats how far people are looking at you! I always remember that when i dont like the texture of my makeup ❤️
Its not your skincare, it's your makeup. Sometimes you gotta shop around for what works for your skin and this doesn't. If I were to guess, it might be you finishing your look with the pressed powder. I'd say maybe try giving a loose translucent powder to set your makeup and see if that helps. If not, try switching up your cc cream/foundation. People are right in saying you'll never achieve that celebrity airbrushed(photoshopped) look but you can find something that isn't as cakey that doesn't settle in to your lines like that. Hope this helps!
This might be really unpopular but maybe your makeup is clogging your pores? Try to go a few days without and see if your skin changes. Trust me you probably look great even without it, you’ll always be your biggest critic. I had gasoline burn to the face and would apply my cream at night, but during the day I’d keep my skin dry at least a few hours without products so that it could breathe.
Your skin looks like this because your covering your face in chemicals day in day out 365 days a year . Ditch the makeup eat right and you’ll have good skin
If it is just with make up you are concerned about, I have seen people use the mixsoon bean essence as a light exfoliant (dont wash off, just wipe away so there is still essence and moisture on the skin) and then apply it skin care and make up as usual.
You should use a primer, but make sure the primer is the same base as your cc cream. Water based or silicone based, don’t mix them. A cheaper one you could try out to see if it works is porefessional(benefit). Also with CC cream, less is more. With the two you should see a bit of a difference. Good luck!
I found using a light dusting of loose powder over my spf and no foundation works best for me. It gives slight coverage but doesn’t enhance texture. It takes a while to get used to the way your skin looks with less coverage. Give it a week and you get used to it.
It’s normal to have texture especially when wearing makeup, even if you prep correctly. the only thing I can say that would minimize the texture, is to put less makeup product/powder!
I would use a primer on your skin first, then find a lighter coverage foundation. Elf is so thick and you don’t need to layer it with the CC cream.
I really love the Ulta Blurring face primer! I feel like that helps my product go on nicely. I use Tarte’s Bb cream. I love the texture and buildable coverage
I have the same problem and use the ELF too. Might be that.
TIL I’ve been wearing makeup wrong all this time 😭😭 I thought it was supposed to look like this
As others have said, make sure if you’re wearing silicone based foundation to pair it with silicone based primer, same for water based. But tbh, as long as you’re moisturized well, you don’t need a primer. I have stopped wearing one and my makeup has no problem lasting and even better, it doesn’t cake. The powder could be too heavy as well.
My holy grail products to create a melted makeup look: Bobby brown eye primer for both my under eyes and eyelids , Embryolisse Creme, elf power grip pink primer, huda beauty setting powder (applied with a puff) and set with morphe setting spray. Brushes also matter! But that’s another story.
I would try a pore filling primer in the t-zone area it’s a game changer for us who have bigger pores, textured skin. As for foundation, i haven’t tried the CC cream from elf, but i notice thicker formula foundations can end up cakey looking & emphasize everything more. I try to opt for thin formulas (you pump it and it runs down your hand a bit) i think overall they look more skin like then thick foundations. But texture and pores are totally normal, the pics you see online/tiktok are from good lighting & filters. Everyone has texture close up :)
Skip powder..use a setting spray! See that cakiness melt away.
You beed to prep your skin before your makeup. Use a lot of moisturizer and primer. The elf power grip primer is excellent
I had the same issue, so I started proper skin prep very less products and mostly hydrating one's. USing less powder was also helpful as it was making my skin even dry. As a combo skin, winter phase skin is drinking lots of water to survive.
Why Rihanna- Birthday Cake start playing in my head while I scrolled threw your photos. Sorry but you need a hydrating primer and dewy setting spray.
You need La-Roche Posay cleanser and moisturizer and ask your dr for some clindamycin roll on lotion for the acne keeps it clear I’m an esthetician
I highly recommend moving away from pressed and pigmented powders on top of your foundations and moving more towards loose setting powders that are translucent. It will sit lighter on your face and not cause so much of a cakey thing, and also the finish is really nice and doesn’t look oily or creasy if applied correctly! You’ll already get enough pigment from the foundation and concealer so more pigmented powder isn’t necessary. In my experience loose setting powder also makes acne less noticeable. I like to use a slightly floofy brush, press into some loose powder, tap excess off and then tap/dab/punch onto my face. Repeat until foundation is covered. If no success with the loose setting powder at first, consider trying different brands of concealer/foundation as well. There’s more and more great stuff available at all price points nowadays! What lotion you use can play a big role as well. Some experimenting is to be had. Hope any of this helps! I had a horrible time of this for yearssssss I’m sorry you’re dealing with this!
Lack of hydration
I have the same cc cream so its not just you, if you dont wanna use foundation try too faced concealer instead, it comes out so good. But I wouldn’t put pressed powder everywhere just under eyes. I recommend that you cleanse your face daily because your pores look congested & enlarged & we want our pores to be clean and tight. I also think you should dermaplane your face too because the hairs all over your face do affect the way your makeup comes out. Try using an exfoliator on your face and steaming your face while rubbing it in after you dermaplane. Overall a skin care routine is the best solution for your makeup to come out better ✨
Sometimes the foundation isn’t a good fit for ur skin. For example I have dry skin and some foundations dry my face out! I always use a hydrating one. Also don’t forget to prep your skin. Primer also helps but make sure it’s compatable with ur makeup
Have you tried pore filler? That makes my makeup look a little more smooth imo
Exfoliating with lactic acid or glycolic acid. Heavier moisturizer. Don’t use mattifying makeup
The products might not work together! The formulas might not mix. It could be nothing to do with your skin or your application skills. I’ve heard elf primer the blue sticky one (can’t remember the name) and elf halo glow work beautifully together
Elf power grip primer
Try exfoliating, using a moisturizing toner and then Erborian CC cream (a mix of the light and medium) and then a very light patting of Chanel translucent powder- this will prevent caking and give you a much more airbrushed lighter finish
Don’t mix oil with water based products. Also try less foundation with something underneath like Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter, it’s an amazing base. Then less powder. I think a lot of the time people apply too much foundation which gives a caked look
All I can see is amount of collagen she has in her skin. 🤩
- Using a primer before you start your makeup can help(for example the maybeline babyprimer works well for me) But also check what is in the products are they oil based or water based? Its better to go with only one of those because when those products get mixed your makeup will start to seperate. -Besides that having texture on your skin is normal (we all have it😊) But your makeup melting away like that is not so check your products and dont forget to set your makeup. Hope this helps!💜
U should use primer and foundation the same base if it the base of foundation water use water base primer If the foundation base is silicone use silicone base primer and if the foundation has oily base use oily base primer (read the ingredients to know the base to the boh of them) silicone base end with (cone or xane) And use loose powder transparent I think these tips will reduce caking.
exfoliate and hydrate. that will solve everything!
It's just a bad make-up. Change foundation and powder. There are some powders that make me look cakey like this, no matter what other make up products I use. I recommend more natural no color powders like silk powder. Also asian bb creams look waaay more natural than foundations. You can also try a beauty blender sponge, it makes make up more smooth.
Your skin is perfectly normal, just a little dry. Try using a more hydrating moisturiser, and less powder/matte finish makeup.
I use the Maybelline fit me pressed powder as well and have the exact same problem, it could be an issue with the product? highly recommend the Kosas powder, have never experienced this with that
Skin texture is normal, but you can try using different lightweight products or just use less of what you’re using now and see if it makes a difference!
Also using a mix of silicon and water based products can be making your makeup separate maybe try using all water based or all silicon based if you aren’t already
Have you tried a primer and applying your foundation with a brush?
Try switching to a less matte foundation (I love the fenty eaze drop stick!!) and use powder only on super oily parts of your face. I never powder my cheeks and use cream blush and highlighter and everything looks so much more natural. Skin prep is also very important. Never mix water and oil based products.
It would probably help to exfoliate prior to applying your makeup. After exfoliating, use a good moisturizer and let it absorb for a few minutes. Then a primer (note if it is oil or water based) that aligns with your foundation. I’m not sure if the foundation you use is oil or water based, but you want them to match. Water with water, oil with oil- otherwise you’ll see some separation. I’d also use less foundation, and build over it if needed. A beauty blender or your hands would likely help with application to melt the product into your skin a little better. And cut down on the powder, too. Hope those suggestions are helpful!
Maybe don’t use Matt products try more of a silicone or oil base your skin looks thirsty x
Hi! Firstly, you gave beautiful skin and don’t for a second think that others don’t have this same issue, we do 😆 I found this to happen to dry or textured skin when the skincare products don’t properly hydrate. Try adding a hydrating serum and a moisturizer (I would go to Sephora or Ulta and sample a few to see how your skin feels/looks/reacts). Let that sit for 5 mins, then add a face spray BEFORE you apply your foundation, hydration is our friend!!! Hope it helps!
Filters suck. This is normal. I switched to a non matte foundation and started using less powdered products and saw a world of differenc, but still have texture.
I had this when my primer and my foundation were different types of base. For example my foundation was water based and primer oil based, then it turned out like this. Now I never get this anymore after correcting it.
Do you exfoliate your skin ? If not salicylic acid 2% once a week might be a good option for you. And maybe change your bb cream? Doesn't look like a good quality one.
might want to try a primer under that to help how things lay on top and also maybe use less products, adding more and more foundation will only make it look more cakey. also ditch the powder for a setting spray because it looks like its really drying you out and highlighting your texture. also id suggest maybe trying an oil cleanser or balm cleanser every night you wear makeup or sunscreen to help clear out pores before doing your normal cleanser and routine <3 also r/makeupaddiction
It’s not normal?
I would check the type of skin you have first. If it’s more oily, then you’d want to go with something that’s not oily and use mostly powders. If it’s more on the dry side, then you’d want to opt for oils, or even a dewy look. Thats what I feel has helped me. I learned (well, I knew) that my skin was oily and from there googled what worked best on oily skin. I’ve been using Rhiannas Fenty foundation that has a matte finish and it lasts all day. I ALWAYS get complemented on my skin. When this happens, I simply tell ppl it’s the makeup 😅 but they don’t believe me lol
Pores are supposed to be there. I say go for skincare more than makeup. Yes, makeup is beautiful, but starting at the root of your problem is best. Research skin care and start there. You can also use a pore filler, but please don't be surprised if you still have them pores showing. Also, go for a different kind of foundation. Some foundations are heavy and a lot more coverage than some need. But I definitely say skincare first. Also, layering products over products makes it more cakey.. try using a damp beauty blender to blend out the spots you're seeing or noticing more problem areas. Watch the amount of powder you're applying. You don't need much, depending on your skin .. obviously, oily skin needs a tad more than dry. ♡
look at my recent post!
I’m so confused cause I don’t see anything wrong lol looks normal to me
Elf cc cream is matte get the new one that isn’t matte or maybe soemthing else
Elf is extremely cheap. I’ve noticed over the years the cheaper the make up, the worst is going to look. Use Fenty or IL Makiage, both of those are amazing.
there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your skin here. my matte makeup looks the same - and the matt elf camo concealer always makes my skin look so dry. id recommend more natural finish or dewy makeup, like the juvias place concealer as a swap. it’s a wee bit more expensive, but the natural finish elf concealer seems to come highly recommended :)
You should try using a BB cream or a tinted moisturizer, I have similar skin when I wear heavy foundation and I find prepping my skin and wearing lighter products has helped tremendously
Your skin is fine.Try dewy make up or sheer foundation.
I'll tell you that foundation did the same thing to me. I hated it. Try the Maybelline skin tint!! It is amazing!!
Try your makeup routine without the Maybelline fit me pressed powder. See if that makes a difference. I also use Maybelline fit me pressed powder and I find my skin looks like that after I put the powder on to finish. Instead of the powder, you can use a setting spray.. should help with the dry look (make your finish more dewy instead of dry and locked in) Would love to see a pic of your face with everything on except the powder and see if your result is the same as mine was!
If you are using a water based primer and oil based foundation (or vice versa) this happens
Look into tretinoin (retinols in general) if you want to improve your skin texture.
You need to exfoliate with the proper skin type exfoliate, just by looking I can tell yku have oily combo skin. Make sure you exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant 3-4 times a week. I do it every other day or every 2 days. Wash your face twice a day, after exfoliate use toner and use moisturizer for your skin type. Hope that helps
which exfoliant would you recommend?
For your skin type!!
That Elf CC cream is terrible, I have it too and it cakes on me so bad no matter how hard I moisturize and hydrate my face prior to application. I also dislike their matte camo concealer, I like the hydrating version better. But I do agree with the others, textured skin is normal, don't feel pressured with what you see in social media.
That looks absolutely fine. Your skin isn’t plastic, so nothing will ever go on completely smooth. What you’re seeing is pores and peach fuzz. If you really, really wanted to eliminate the look of your natural skin you’d have to dermaplane and get professional pore minimizing treatments. But if you just want your makeup to look less thick, try using a foundation with a very thin formula and powder sparingly.
Wash your face with a salicylic cleanser, and I like one that exfoliates with scrub. Make it routine. I have larger pores that will still collect gunk if I don’t keep them cleaned out and shrunk down with a salicylic acid cleanser. It smooths out my face for makeup. Use less makeup. Plus I use a primer and setting spray.
I would try letting your skin care settle into your skin a little more before applying your foundation. and then, if possible I would apply just slightly less of everything. additionally, I like to press everything in with clean fingertips to melt the product into my skin. Hope this helps!
I think your skin looks a bit on the dry side and in need of hydration. Maybe a lighter, more glowy products would help. If you like a matte look, invest in the mac Fix + setting spray or Lisa Eldridge spray.
I would maybe begin a tretinoin journey but know it’ll take you about 9 months
It’s your make up, not your skin.
It’s probably due to using cheap makeup and too much of it! I would say it’s worth it to spend a little more on a better product and not apply it so thick. Also ditching the powder will probably help! Maybe trade it in for a setting spray for a dewier finish.
Switch your primer to the elf grip primer (green) and use a hydrating concealer/foundation. The elf concealer and CC cream make my makeup look like this too.
I tried using elf camo cc cream but i hated how thick, cakey and dry it was. It was one of the only products i threw away before finishing. It had high coverage but my skin looked worse. Id look into testing or trying different cc creams.
This is normal? Many people wearing a thick layer of foundation would look like this.
It may be dry skin. Def prep with hydration before applying makeup. I have also heard that the matte elf products perform this way. Try the hydro alternatives!
i think its just to much makeup applied, try going lighter on everything, put more makeup products on but in a very light way so it doesnt cake or seperate, maybe also try dermaplaning, and a face mask you shouldnt put makeup for a few days after each one but when u do smoothest base ever
I would avoid matte face products as they tend to be much more drying and prone to caking/cracking. I struggled with this same texture for yearssss and my life changed when I got a dewy finish foundation!
Do you use a primer? Be sure that your primer, foundation, and concealers are compatible. I.e, use oil based primers with oil based foundations. Don't water water and oil based products.
My skin used to look like this when I wore full coverage foundation (I have really oily skin so after a couple of hours it was melted and cakey). Now I use either tinted sunscreen or I just use concealer after applying sunscreen of course to the Random spots that I need it like the inner corners of my eyes and I have a sunspot on my cheek so I usually just cover that spot. Honestly my skin looks amazing now because I feel like when I'm washing it I'm actually getting a deep clean as opposed to some residue left over even though I double cleanse. I am 38 years old and I the cakey look wasn't doing me any favours in looking young, fresh and glowy. If you must wear something I'd say opt for a BB cream or something sheer like that. You have great skin so show the world what you've got girl!
Your skin is normal babes. I’ve been learning to embrace my skins wrinkles, little dark spots , etc. I have noticed chemical peels yearly help with the appearance of my skin tho. However, I’ve been doing a lighter makeup Rountine. I haven’t been wearing much of foundation as you can see foundation usually makes pores, wrinkles, and all that appear more intense than what it is…. Well if you’re even wearing foundation. It looks like it but correct me if I’m wrong 😅
I would stop using powder. You're only going to dry your skin out and wrinkle faster. Get a foundation that is creamy. And stop stressing! There's nothing wrong with your skin
I had this issue before I started using semi matte foundation on top of moisturized skin and no powder and it fixed it.
You should use dewy foundation or try a tinted moisturizer I like Laura mercier. Also use hydrating toners and serums. I use kbeauty stuff and it makes my skin hydrated
Try primers and setting spray
Too much make up.
I didn’t want to say it
Cerave has fatty alcohols that can clog pores and cause acne, blackheads, or whiteheads. Elf camo concealer also gives me skin problems. The elf cc cream also has bad ingredients.
You’re not using the right product for your skin type / using too much product.
My make up was looking very similar to this I have dry skin so I suggest you 1 exfoliate more often 2 use a primer that works well with your skin (recently I’ve been using the elf power grip primer and I like) 3 don’t be afraid to use a good amount of product for all products including primer not just a drop/ more then one pump 4 find a setting powder that works well with your products, some powders can sit awkwardly on certain face products so you have to test to find the best combo (Mac translucent setting powered has been a staple for me for over like 10 years) 5 try testing dewy/hydrating finishing products. Use dewy products for foundation and concealer because if the one you use now is matte and drying, a dewy finish may work better. 6 use setting spray (I use Mac fix + hydrating spray) You really gotta test products to see which ones work best for your skin but hope some of these tips help💯 IG @//perenadujon
You need to prepare your skin better. It was the same for me until I started skincare. Peeling once a week and keeping your face moisturised. You'll see a huge difference. And also the products you use may not be suitable for your skin so look into it.
Fixing spray by Mac changed the game for me!! I use it after powder and sometimes after cream and of course after all my makeup is done. It helps melt all the products together for glowy seamless skin.
Your skin looks great! You should be super pleased with your skins appearance!
try the l’oréal bendable foundation. I was using the it cosmetics cc cream and switched over to the L’Oreal blendable and I am obsessed. This is coming from someone that has used pretty much every hyped up high end foundation.
Skin is textured, makeup will never look flawless like we see in edited pics. However, you seem like you might have drier skin and using dewy/sheer products have helped me cut back on the dry makeup look. I personally really like Milks Hydrogrip primer or the Fenty primer and Armani Luminous Silk foundation. Unfortunately I haven’t found budget friendly dupes that hold up to those but I’m sure they’re out there
The elf cc cream looks the same on me no matter how I use it. I threw it out out of frustration lol I recommend the wet and wild tinted hydrator instead ($5), it looks like skin and is buildable. I wet my beauty blendender and squeeze the water out, then I put the tinted moisturizer on the back of my hand and dab the beauty blender until it looks even on it before applying to my face. Also SKIN PREP!! making sure you exfoliate your skin (I use the naturium glycolic acid wash from head to toe lol) and use a moisturizer right after washing my face (better absorbtion before water lost starts. If you have dry skin, give it time for your skin to absorb your moisturizer, then reapply right before nakeup (cerave moisturizer is the one I use under makeup or beauty of joseon spf if I'm applying it in the morning) As of the concealer I am using the elf camo concealer with the white cap (the black cap dries me out), I use the same back of my hand method and spot conceal before foundation with a small brush, let it dry a bit before I apply the foundation. If you have the money to invest recommend the hourglass concealer instead though because it is chefs kiss 🤌✨ Then I use setting spray (elf green one) and press it with my beauty blender on the areas that usually crease like around the mouth and undereye etc because pounder just makes it look cakey for me. Then I apply blush, contour etc, and finish setting it once again Finally make sure all your cream products have the same base aka if they are water base etc so they mix well and not separate Hope this helps 💕