You know those women who wear so much foundation that it appears they have to remove it with a trawl every night?
That dear reader is an excellent example of “cake face,” which occurs when one applies too much foundation and concealer, resulting in a pancake, mask-like makeup. If you have makeup on every millimeter of your face, it is simply too much, and the first thing people will notice is, “She wears a lot of makeup.” Why not highlight, rather than conceal, your natural beauty?
Here’s how best to avoid cake face.
The Right Way to Wear Foundation & Concealer
The most common cause of cake face is the use of thick foundation all over the face. The purpose of the foundation is to even out skin tone, but it should be almost invisible. Nobody should be able to see the foundation on your face.
Don’t cover your face with foundation unless you’re wearing sheer foundation or a tinted moisturizer with SPF. Foundation is intended to conceal only your uneven spots such as the cheeks, around the nose, and possibly the chin. Once the foundation is applied, dab concealer on any ruddy or pimply areas that the foundation did not cover.
Remember to only use foundation in the areas that require it.
Matte Is Out, Dewy Is In
Our skin loses not only elasticity as we age but also loses moisture. This can result in a “cake face.” A matte face is not a dewy, youthful face. Even if we are 70 years old, we want our skin to look dewy and youthful. This entails keeping the skin as moist as possible. So, how do you get dewy skin?
Foundation Primer is Key
The key to perfect skin tone is to first apply a foundation primer to create a barrier between your skin and the foundation. A foundation primer works similarly to a paint primer in that it settles into your pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, and evens out pimples to allow your foundation to glide on smoothly. If you don’t have a primer, a moisturizer will suffice.
Choose the Correct Foundation and Concealer
Cake face is the worst when the wrong foundation shade is used. Finding the right foundation or tinted moisturizer shade is critical. You want the foundation to blend in with your skin tone. I recommend using two different shades: one for summer when your skin is darker, and another for winter when your skin is lighter. In the spring and fall, you can combine the two. I recommend trying on foundation at a store like Sephora so an expert can tell you whether it’s a good fit or not.
These days, drugstores like Rite Aid have liberal return policies, so if you try something and it’s not right, return it. If you have dry skin, a sheer liquid foundation rather than a powder foundation is a good choice. If you have oily skin, use an oil-free tinted moisturizer or foundation and keep blotting papers on hand to blot your skin throughout the day.
What to Do About Those Freckles?
Some freckled women and girls try to conceal them with heavy foundations. Don’t! Try to accept and appreciate your freckles. Freckles distinguish you, and accepting them will enhance your beauty. After all, it’s nearly impossible to conceal freckles without creating a “cake face.”
What to Do If You End up With “Foundation Face”
It happens to the best of us; sometimes we use too much foundation and end up looking like we’re wearing a thick mask of goop.
To lighten a foundation, try these tips from Sephora’s Beauty Book by makeup artist Victoria Jackson:
- Wet your fingers just a wee bit and run them over your face. Follow up with a clean makeup sponge to blend, blend, blend.
- Put a dime-sized amount of moisturizer in your palm, dab a foundation brush into it, and work the brush over the heavy spots. The moisturizer should break up the heaviness.
- Take a tissue and place it on your face, gently moving it around to remove any excess.
Keep Skin Hydrated as the Day Wears On
If you have dry skin, it is critical to keep it hydrated and moisturized throughout the day. Spritz mineral water on your face to accomplish this. Evian mineral spray is a good option. Keep a small can in your purse. You can also apply moisturizer to any “cakey spots.”
