Why Does My Makeup Look Cakey? - The Real Reason Why Your Makeup Doesn’t Look Like Skin

We’ve all been there, right? Just today, I spent 30 minutes on a face of makeup, blending until my hand cramped, just to take a step towards the mirror and see the concealer sitting on my skin, the powder clinging to my peach fuzz, and mascara clumps clinging to my lashes like knobby-kneed spider legs. I spent minutes staring at the pores on my nose; my face practically pressed to the mirror. I felt like I could almost see my concealer marching to congregate in pores and lines that I didn’t even know I had. So, what did I do? I left the house anyway.

I didn’t wash off my makeup for a number of reasons. My makeup looked just fine from a foot and a half away from the mirror. From three inches away, it looked amateurish. But honestly, I didn’t plan on anyone being less than a foot and a half away from my face today. Who cares if my concealer isn’t perfect on a microscopic level? Also, I’m in the process of learning some new techniques. I can’t have high expectations of myself right away.  

This article isn’t just a monologue. If you want to know why your makeup isn’t sitting right, here are a couple of things that helped me out: I would make sure that you aren’t mixing silicone and water-based products (like a silicone-based primer and a water-based foundation). They repel each other like oil and water. And a nice melting setting spray can do wonders for your finished face. I love the Powder Melt Setting Spray by O/S. I would also try spending a little bit more time blending out your products. Investing in a nice brush or beauty blender can be a game-changer. 

But does your makeup actually look cakey, or do you just look like you’re wearing makeup? Does your makeup look bad, or are you searching for flaws that only you would see? Let’s think about it for a second. 

Social media can trick you into thinking that good makeup looks exactly like skin. Now fortunately, there are plenty of techniques and tools to help your makeup look more like skin, but in the end, it’s makeup. It’s not your skin. View it more as a tool for self-expression, and don’t hold yourself to such a high standard. I promise that nobody notices all of the flaws that you see. 

My advice? It is okay to look like you are wearing makeup. Not one single person is going to believe that you were born with a dusting of fine glitter over your cheekbones, or vivid multicolor eyelids, right? So, the next time you feel like your eyeliner is uneven, or that your eyebrows look more like cousins than sisters, maybe take a few steps away from the mirror. Put down the makeup wipes and leave the house anyway. Stop nitpicking in the mirror. Accept that makeup is makeup, and some days it’s going to look like it. Don’t let little imperfections stop you from creative expression and confidence.

(and do not mix silicone and water-based products)

Thanks for reading, and like always, I’d love to know your thoughts!