Do you know what’s cute? A flawless face beat. But spending almost 2 hours trying to achieve that full glam only to end up looking cakey isn’t cute at all. And now it’s either you wipe it all and start over or spend your life savings to book a professional makeup artist. Well none of that sounds fair to me that’s why I’m here to help you get rid of that muddy, patchy mask on your face.

What really causes cakey foundation though? It is caused by a variety of reasons such as picking the wrong foundation shade, applying your foundation on dry patches, poor blending or application among other things. Another reason is also applying makeup on dry skin or not using right skincare routine or products. So in case you want to figure out your mistake and correct it, keep on reading.

1. Prep your skin

Prepping your skin creates a smooth canvas for your foundation to sit on. Therefore, start by applying your moisturizer and leaving it on for 10-15 minutes then prime your face with a silicone-based primer to help cover your pores. A moisturizer will soften your skin and keep it hydrated while a primer will give your makeup something to cling on and make it last longer.

2. Pick the right foundation formula

Some foundations are heavyweight and contain formulas that are more prone to cakiness especially on oily skin. If you have oily skin use oil-free foundation, if you have dry skin use a creamy or compact foundation then if you have combination skin use a foundation with buildable coverage. Lightweight foundations also go with any skin type as long as you apply it correctly and in the right amount.

3. Choose the right foundation shade

Nobody loves a tangerine-like face. Your foundation shade being too light or too dark makes any mistake on your face more visible. To test your perfect foundation shade, apply a small amount on your jawline and view in natural lighting. Also make sure you let your foundation set for a while before moving on to other products because most times especially on oily skin, foundation tends to oxidize and darken.

4. Apply foundation correctly

Most of us think foundation should be applied all over the face but unfortunately that’s not the case. It should only be applied on areas that need to be corrected such as anywhere with redness, pigmentations, shadows or blemishes so as to even out the skin tone. When it comes to application, always start from the centre going outwards so that you don’t get too much product at the hairline and end up looking like you have a mask on. Also remember that less is more therefore used small amounts and add more as you continue.

5. Use the right tools to apply your foundation

Brushes are usually a quick and easy way to get that foundation across your face. Also the fact they do not soak up products like beauty sponges do is a plus. But something to note is that brushes also tend to leave a lot of products on your face and this is where the sponge comes in. Use a damp beauty sponge to press off any excess products on your face for a matte finish. Also make sure you use a light hand so that the foundation can sit well on your skin.

6. Apply the right amount of powder

The most common reason for a cakey foundation is using too much powder. Using a lot of powder will build up on and form layers on your skin making your face look patchy. Use only a little amount of a lightweight powder and brush it over the areas that tend to get oily such as your t-zone area. This will give you the matte skin-like finish you desire. A tip for oily skin is to also use a small amount of loose powder and brush it on your face before applying your foundation.

7. Set your face with a setting spray

Most people don’t say it but setting spray is a miracle worker. It not only sets your make up and keeps it in place but also melts your makeup and gets rid of all that powdery look. Therefore after completing all the steps above, spritz a generous amount of setting spray all over your face to reduce the shine and leave a more skin-like finish.