Cakey makeup and how to avoid it

Of all the things my clients ask me not to do, cakey makeup is number one on their list of “Don’ts”. Besides the fact that it can look mask-like and artificial, it can also be very uncomfortable to wear. So how can you avoid looking and feeling cakey?

Here in New York City, we’re experiencing a comparatively rough winter, which has us Art of Beauty girls dry, sick and—you guessed it—cakey like mad! Between the dry cold outside and the dry heat inside, your skin can really take a beating this time of year. Keeping your skin well moisturized (particularly in the winter) will prevent your makeup from appearing cakey, and will reduce redness and skin texture in the long run! Linda is in love with the Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream, and uses it over our Holistic Rejuvenating Complex before braving the cold weather (her go-to tactic for combating flaky skin on her nose!). You can also try moisturizing heavily before putting on your everyday makeup, then setting the whole thing with powder- this can actually help protect your face from the harsh winter. I like to wear our Cream Lipstix over lip balm (NOT chapstick!) to keep my easily chapped lips protected.

“well, Thalita, I don’t live somewhere that’s cold right now, and I cant get my makeup to stop looking so heavy! What’s my excuse?” for those of you who are lucky enough to not be experiencing cold weather, there are several reasons why your makeup might be caking or feeling heavy!

-first off, what kind makeup do you use on your skin? cream base is pretty heavy and is perfect for areas that need a little extra coverage, but can be too heavy if you don’t use it sparingly! Concealer is great if you have a good overall tone but just need a little coverage in spots (blemishes, dark/ red spots, etc.). Water-based liquid foundations are great if you just need to help brighten up the face without giving too much coverage, or can be paired with a little concealer to tidy up any spots.

-what color is your makeup? A base that’s too dark or that has a contrasting tone from your skin can come off as heavy and can just generally not look right. The easiest way to check is to try the product on your inner forearm, which is the most like the skin on your face (both color and texture-wise). As long as the product is lighter than the darkest part on your face (i.e. dark circles under eyes) you should be on the right track for a natural look! (if you’re going for a sun-kissed look and need a darker base, we’ll get back to it in a different blog.)

-how much makeup are you wearing? If you’re concerned that your makeup is looking cakey and have ruled out the above, try using your product more sparingly, or applying it with a brush to control the amount you use a little easier. You could also try applying your base with a moistened makeup sponge, or using the dampened sponge after you apply your makeup to help smooth it out (areas like the jaw, cheecks, and around the nose and forehead are areas where cakey makeup can be a real distraction. Try blending your makeup down onto your neck to prevent a mask- like effect. )

Everyone has different skin that requires different treatment. Keeping your skin clean, moisturized, and spf protected is a great way to keep your skin young and healthy for years to come! Making sure you get plenty of vitamins in your diet (such as vitiamin B12 or omega 3) is an ideal way to get your skin, hair, and nails at their healthiest.  Make an effort to understand your skin so as to have a better understanding of how to take care of it, and to keep it looking its brightest.
by Thalita