Help: Skin looks worse with makeup on

Re: Help: Skin looks worse with makeup on

• leia1979 member

  

  May 2011

  It may be that your concealer is too dry. Mine does that if I don't blend it in well enough, but by the time it's blended and covered with foundation, it's fine.
  
  I have Smashbox concealer (not sure what it's called, but it looks like a mini lipstick tube). Some I tried were really cakey and others didn't cover well enough.
  

  
  
  
  I haz a planning bio

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• meep2 member

  

  May 2011

  Well, it's hard to tell without knowing your skin, the type of foundation you're using, how you're applying it (brush, fingers, silicon pad) seeing a picture, etc., so more detail might help. It's particularly difficult considering that your description is of your general makeup application routine, but your issues are with under-eye makeup. Could you give us more info?
  
  Without knowing what you're doing, here's some general advice:
   - You shouldn't need two applications of powder. You didn't mention whether you're using a cream or powder blush/highlighter. If you're using liquids, that could be a problem because you're mixing the liquid with two sets of powder, maximizing risk of clumping together instead of just setting. If powder, the final translucent dusting is still going to create a mask over all that contouring you just did. Personally, I like to apply foundation mixed with a little moisturizer, then blot any excess oil just to make sure so it doesn't cake the powder, then use translucent powder, then conturing powders like blush and highlighter.  The powders will set foundation together; powder doesn't set more powder. I wouldn't use a cream blush if you need powder to control cheek shine.
  
  - You should use the minimum amount of makeup possible under your eyes; anything more will be really prone to settling into fine lines. Only use concealer in the under eye area, blending a small dot outward from the inner part of the crescent under your eye outward. I like using a concealer brush for more even, smooth coverage. Look for a concealer that is on the yellowish side to counteract dark circles, and SLIGHTLY than your skin tone. Some people set with powder, but I find that re-applying can be preferable; be really gentle and light putting on powder if you do so. Look for a long-wearing concealer, and don't bother with primer or foundation there.
  
  -  Dark under-eye circles themselves can have a lot of causes, some just genetic. Things that can make them worse include sun exposure, allergies, smoking, and rubbing your eyes.

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• Ispirazione

  

  May 2011 edited May 2011

  I have the same problem with under-eye caking. Here's what I found has been the best help for me...
  
  -Flat out give up on heavy concealer. My eyes just can't take one. Instead, I have followed this routine for a couple months and I am very pleased with the results. When I get out of the shower, I apply Yes To Blueberries Eye Cream. It's a moisturizing cream. I let that sink in as I do other things. When I go to begin applying my makeup, I use the Garnier green roller ball. When that is patted into my skin, I use Olay Sensitive Skin moisturizer followed by Laura Mercier Oil-Free primer. I buff my foundation into my skin and conceal any spots on my face. I set withmy powder, being very careful to not place any regular face powder uder my eyes. It isn't finely milled enough and can create a cakey look under the eye. After I powder my face and my foundation has set, I use the Garnier Anti-Dark Circles roller. I am very pale and the tint in this roller is just enough to help with any dark circles. After I pat this into my skin, I set with a powder made specifially for areas like the under-eye. It is made by Benefit and called Powderflage. It's a little pricey, but very finely milled and comes with a little fan brush for application. One jar will literally last me over a year with everyday use. It is a very light pink powder and it diffues light, which means that it helps create a softer look under the eye or even any fine lines on the face. At night when I take my makeup off, I apply the Yes To Blueberries moisturizer again. The added moisture has really helped my undereye area to improve over time.
  
  If you have any trouble with the rest of your face looking cakey, be sure to use a light exfoliator daily.I like Neutrogena's Acne Stress Scrub and I use it in the morning in the shower. I also bought a little facial scrub brush at Sephora for $5. It's basically like the Clairsonic brush, only manual. At night I use that with a creamy facewash. The exfoliation with help with cakiness in general. Also be sure that all of your facial products match in terms of being oil-free or not. If you use water-based products with oil-based products, they can separate and cause your makeup to look un-natural. Everything I use, including moisturizer and facewash, I make sure is oil-free.
  
  If you have any other questions, just let me know in a PM. I'd be happy to help. : )

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• CassandraPotter

  

  May 2011

  bobbi brown has the best under eye concealer ever. I've tried a bajillion under eye concealers and that one works the best. It also could be how you're applying it. I use MAC brushes and they are also amazing for applying concealer. I believe I have the 124 brush.

  

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• stacej member

  

  May 2011

  Moisterizer is the most important! From there, Bare Essentials has been the most rewarding. Works for all skin types. You need a good base first.

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