How to avoid a CAKEY face.

Alrighty ladies!  Having a thick, cakey face is no bueno!  Agreed?

I love make up and I think it's wonderful what make up can do.  However, I don't think you should ever have so much face make up on to where it looks "cakey."  EIIIK!  (sorry Katy Perry)

(unless it's Halloween or something) 

AHHHHHH!!!!   haha! 
So here are a few things I do to help avoid that "cakey" look.
It's just from my experience so I hope it's a little help to someone. 


1)  MOISTURIZE. 
     I have pretty dry skin.  My face, however, isn't as dry as the rest of my body.  There are small blotches here and there but it's not all around dry.  There are a lot of moisturizers out there for all different types of skin.  Find one that works for you.  I just recently started wearing moisturizer at night but you ALWAYS want to  put  moisturizer on before your make up.  It just helps eliminate the flaky, dry  look.  You don't want to paint a picture on a crusty canvas, right?  So if the base of your canvas is prepped, the art you put on it will be flawless.

I usually wear "Day Wear Plus" from Estee Lauder.  I accidental picked up the wrong one this last time.  This one in the picture is the regular "Day Wear."   The "Day Wear PLUS" is specifically for dry skin.

The one I have now is also working ok so no complaints there.  The only big difference I have noticed is the smell.  The Day Wear Plus moisturizer smells soooo yummy!  Like fresh cucumber or melon, although it's not a fragrance moisturizer.  It does have SPF in it, which is great. But I have heard it's not good to sleep with SPF (even though I've been doing it) but now I am on a mission to find a good moisturizer with no SPF so I can confidently moisturize while I sleep.  This is really the only  moisturizer I've ever used.  I have eczema so I'm very particular on what I put on my skin.   There are a few out there that I would like to try though.  I know MAC has a moisturizer I'm interested in and I also heard Olay is a good moisturizer.  Other than that, I use Aveeno when all else fails.  I don't know if it's good to put on your face but I always have and it's never given me any problems. 

Don't forget...MOISTURIZE MOISTURIZE BEFORE MAKE UP!  It's the #1 rule!  :)


2)  PRIME.
     To be honest with you, I don't ALWAYS prime my face.  But if you have trouble with the "cakiness" this step may help you a lot.  Priming your face before your make up is like priming a wall before you  paint the wall.  It's going to give you that smooth finish and it will help your make up stay on better.  The very first primer I've ever used was the MAC's "Prep and Prime."  It works amazingly!  After I finished my make up my face felt soooo smooth!  I love it!  However, I find that the combination of my moisturizer I use and the MAC primer don't go well together.  So sometimes I feel like I wont prime, instead I will moisturize because I feel it's far more important.  The recent primer I have been using is the "Make Up Forever's" face primer that I mentioned in my "New Year New Make Up?" blog. 

I don't find a problem with the combo of that one and my  moisturizer.  It works really well but I'm not sure if it works as well as the MAC "Prep and Prime."  I don't notice that  my skin is as smooth as when I use the MAC primer but it's definitely  not a bad choice.  Just like a lot of products, there are a lot of different face primers out there.  Those are the only two that I have experience with.  I would recommend them. 


3)  FOUNDATION and COVERAGE.
     Finding the right color for you is key!  Get matched if you are looking for a foundation.  If you go home and use it for a couple days or so and don't feel it's the right color for you, return it and try a shade up or shade down.  There is nothing wrong with that.  I can't stress the right color foundation enough.  Too white or too dark...I don't know which one is worse. 

Also, if you are being matched, ask them to apply it all over your face.  They usually just apply at the jaw line to try to match you.  But by having them apply a light layer all over your face, you will have a better idea if that color works for you or not.  Also, try to match the foundation color to your chest.  Your face is primarily a lot lighter than the rest of your body.  Don't swatch the color on your arm because your arm is usually darker than your chest and face. 

There are full coverage foundations, medium to full, and sheer foundations out there.  Don't be afraid to use a medium or sheer coverage, especially if you already have beautiful skin.  Full coverage foundations are nice because you look like a flawless doll, but it's nice to let your more natural beauty shine through.  There are times and places for a full coverage foundation, but in my opinion your every day look should be more natural. 
    
I am using the HD Make Up Forever's foundation right now and it's WONDERFUL! 

It is a full coverage but feels soooo light and natural.  So that's a good alternative if you don't want a heavy full coverage foundation.  Highly recommended.  It's so awesome.  I also talk much more about that in my "New Year New Make Up?" blog. 
     Instead of applying foundation with a sponge, maybe try a stippling brush for a lighter coverage.  This is the 187 from MAC. (it's dirty lol)

The bristles on the brush help blend nicely without too much product being put on your face. 


4)  POWDER
     Try setting your foundation with a pad or sponge/pad instead of a brush.  You don't have to put heavy powder all over your face. Sometimes that will make you look chalky.  Just concentrate on the oily areas like your T-zone. 

I don't have any make up in this picture but wanted to give you guys more of an idea where to dab your powder.  I look crazy I know...hahaha

Just lightly dab a small amount on your for head, your nose, chin and a little under your eyes.  Using the same pad WITHOUT adding more product, just lightly pat it over the rest of your face.
If you are using a full coverage foundation, use a sheer powder rather than a full coverage powder.  But if you are using a sheer foundation, it's ok to use a fuller coverage powder.  Like I said, this is just my opinion but I really feel it helps a lot!  


5) FINISHING SPRAY
     I was introduced to the MAC Fix+ finishing spray about 4 years ago.  It was suggested by one of the MUA to help keep your make up on after everything is applied. 

I feel like it gives a nice dewy finish to your skin.  I do like this spray, however I don't wear it every day.  I'm actually out...ironically...lol.  But if you feel you have trouble keeping and setting your make up, this product may be a good choice for you.  It's like a light, misty spray so 2 or 3 sprays are plenty. 

Well these are the couple of things that I really focus on to prevent a thick, cakey face.  As I said before, I'm not a professional and I don't know the professional advice or real knowledge about these kind products.  My make up isn't always perfect but these are just things I have learned and picked up along the way.  I think that skin care is where it starts to avoid the "cakey" face.  That's why of all these things MOISTURIZING is definitely the focal point.  Taking care of your skin can be hard but there are really great products out there to help with that.  Sometimes products may be a little pricey but it is worth it if it works for you.   

Some people are blessed with nice skin and others may have to battle it out a little more.  Whatever it is, I hope everyone finds things and a routine that work for them and I really hope I helped at least the tiniest bit.  I know it's probably really basic but I just thought I would share. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a GREAT WEEKEND!