Smoother foundation application

Feb 29, 2016

Shengmin L.

Anyone know how can I make my foundation look smoother?

My foundation looks very patchy in certain lighting. I don't know what type of skin I have. I get flakiness around my lip and eye area but my nose gets shiny and oily sometimes...so combination skin?

So this is how I apply my foundation. I use Clinique moisturizing gel and let it set for a few minutes then I prime my face with Smashbox photo finish foundation primer (the white one) using my fingers and let that set (I don't know if it's because the primer is not being spread all over my face so I get an uneven application or what but should I use a brush?). Then I squeeze a dime size amount of MAC matchmaster 4.0 foundation onto the back of my hand and dab it with a beautyblender and stipple it all over my face. It starts looking nice right there. However, when I set covergirl's professional translucent loose powder on my foundation with my domed blush brush by Sonia Kashuk, I start getting these really powdery, flaky look. Is it because I'm using a bad loose powder? Or should I stay away from loose powder in general because I have drier skin than most combination skin? Or is it because of the brush I use to apply loose powder? What do you girls think? Can you help me out?

Feb 29, 2016

Sarah O.

It may be the powder you are using and how much of it you are using. If you don't use a setting spray I suggest you buy one. I suggest buying urban decays makeup setting spray

Feb 29, 2016

Sam R.

Just use the powder on the oily areas

Feb 29, 2016

Bethany W.

I would suggest trying the idea of only using powder on the areas of your face that get oily, but also maybe try a different moisturizer/primer combo. I was having the same issue and discovered that my primer and moisturizer shared an ingredient, making an overload of it on my face, resulting in a caked look in some areas. I changed my moisturizer and that made the difference. But everybody's different! So yours may be a different issue. I wish there were right or wrong answers to makeup but so far there aren't lol. Good luck! :)

Mar 4, 2016

Stacie H.

I'm not sure if you know this, but that moisturizer is for oily skin. So if you are feeling your skin is more on the dry side than combo, consider a swap. I had the same moisturizer a similar problem. I've been using different moisturizers for almost a week and it's made a big difference.