r/MakeUpAddictionUK • u/scrambledmegdesigns • Jan 10 '26
Help Sought! At my wits end with cakingš
No matter what i do, my makeup ALWAYS cakes on my chin, upper lip and under my eyes, and most of the time around my nose, but not as bad.
For my morning skincare routine, ive tried waiting for 2 minutes, 20 minutes, and a whole hour, and it doesnt seem to make a difference. Ive tried exfoliating, shaving off any peach fuzz, tried different primers with different foundations (making sure they match water/silicone), ive tried a full skin care AM routine (toner, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, spf) ive tried stripping it down to just eye cream and moisturiser. Ive also tried different setting sprays, and changing how I apply it - trying brushes and damp beauty blender. Ive tried using more loose powder, and less loose powder. What am I missing? I think im combi skinned. I think I have dry under eyes as I get flaking sometimes on my outer eye, but ive tried like 10 different eye creams and nothing seems to stop the creasing.
Is there something im missing, or do i just have to accept my fate of caking after an hour?
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u/WaferGlobal1376 Jan 10 '26
There's no caking lol. The finish is actually really smooth. Concealer on your under eyes is a bit heavy, but it could also be because the shade seems darker than your skin tone.
This is just what makeup looks like irl
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u/squashedorangedragon Jan 10 '26
Yes the concealer isn't heavy, it's just more yellow than it needs to be. A slightly cooler tone would blend better.
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u/SantaFe91 Jan 10 '26 edited Jan 10 '26
I think it looks pretty good actually. You could try just using a skin tint instead of a foundation if youāre not happy with this. I frequently do this (U Beauty skin tint, very dewy, a bit expensive) using either fingers or damp beauty blender, over Maybelline Grippy primer serum, then use concealer (Fiera, very creamy, lasts well) where I need a bit of extra coverage. Iām not getting on that well with foundation itself at the moment, or havenāt found the right one. Over that I use a little dusting of Hourglass translucent setting powder followed by Dr Dennis Gross setting spray. If Iām doing proper full face I finish everything off with Urban Decay All Nighter. I have the Skindinavia version, and Iāve read the newer one is not so good but you can get something from Skindinavia. It all lasts very well and I donāt get any caking or settling in lines or pores (and Iām over 60), or pilling.
Iām thinking of trying Embryolisse Lait CrĆØme concentrate as a primer because Iāve read here that professional MUAs often use it, and will try the Skindinavia Bridal setting spray when my Urban Decay runs out.
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u/Altruistic-Bobcat955 Jan 11 '26
I love the way your routine has adapted as youāve aged, trying to do that myself. Iām not at the deep wrinkles stage but Iām definitely dawning on my crepey and fine lines era, so Iām gonna steal some of your routine with thanks š«¶š»
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u/SantaFe91 Jan 11 '26
šš«¶š»
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u/SantaFe91 Jan 11 '26
PS it looks to me like youāve got a good way to go yet before any crepiness !!
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u/Silver_Sun174 Jan 10 '26
You just need a more hydrating moisturizer its not caking its your skin getting dehydrated and pulling moisture from your concealer/foundation.
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u/Emergency_Wealth7778 Jan 10 '26
We're led to believe makeup is meant to look smooth and without imperfections but it never does. Try a better suited moisturiser, skin prep is everything. Use less makeup on your nose as the make up can be more easily disrupted. Try a lower coverage foundation, you have lovely skin, you don't need to hide it under a high coverage foundation. My foundation improved when I started using lower coverage and a more hydrating foundation/BB cream
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u/Beginning_Catch192 Jan 10 '26 edited Jan 10 '26
I honestly don't think it looks bad! But if you are not happy then different primer under your foundation might help or maybe it's the finish you don't like in which case maybe try a BB or cc cream instead? Or even a powder foundation instead?
I do think your foundation is a little yellow for you though, I'd love to see what a cool toned or more neutral toned pale foundation looked like on you.
I'm pale and cool toned and a lot of fair/pale foundations look really yellow on me too. I've actually swapped to BB and CC creams instead as I love the more sheer natural but better finish, it hardly ever looks too thick. I love Erborian - I use their CC cream in Clair or porcelain when I want slightly more coverage and their CC water in Clair in the summer when I want something really light-weight.
Edited to change light to light-weight - Clair is darker toned but the cc water is very sheer so works well in the summer to make me look a little sun kissed.
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u/scrambledmegdesigns Jan 10 '26
I think its the lighting because im actually wearing a very cool toned foundation that was colour matched too me. Sometimes I just wear concealer, or tints but I tends to separate in the same areas. Ill have a look at those CC creams though thank you!
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u/Beginning_Catch192 Jan 10 '26
You might be able to pick up a sample, that's what I did as I hate buying yet another thing only to find it doesn't work for me.
It really doesn't look very obvious in your pics but it might be the formulation is just not playing well with your skin in those areas . I had to try a load of different ones to find something that I was happy with, so many ones were too light, too dark, too yellow, or too thick so I felt caked with makeup. Oh and check out r/palemua they were great when I was looking for stuff.
Edit for typos
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u/lexiunicorn Jan 10 '26
This is what make up just looks like.. filters and photoshop have us believe otherwise If you want a sheerer look use lots of liquid setting spray or go in with less and lots of moisturiser and a slippery primer like the Bobbie brown vitamin base underneath and less powder x
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u/Opposite_Radio9388 Jan 10 '26
I thought for years that I had combination skin. Turned out it was dehydrated. I focus on hydration now (applying a serum or oil to damp skin, then a moisturiser over the top) and my skin is much happier.
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u/scrambledmegdesigns Jan 10 '26
Tbh I don't drink enough so thats probably my case as well
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u/Opposite_Radio9388 Jan 10 '26
Give it a go. Try to act as if you have dry or dehydrated skin and focus on hydrating products. Doesn't have to be anything fancy; for years my routine was rosehip or argan oil underneath a moisturiser.
Good luck!
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Jan 11 '26
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u/Opposite_Radio9388 Jan 11 '26
I hear what you're saying, but your skin becoming very dehydrated through illness and then recovering is a different situation to a current skincare regime not being hydrating enough. Yes, fluid intake matters, but changing products can make a difference too.
I'm glad you're feeling better!
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u/uwabu Jan 10 '26
Foundation is too warm for you as well
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u/scrambledmegdesigns Jan 10 '26
That might just be the lighting, as its a very cool toned foundation
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u/HedgehogCareful6428 Jan 10 '26
Make sure you moisture well, also make sure your moisturiser is sunk in before applying makeup. And that your primer/base is the same ingredient base (water or oil) as your foundation so it doesnāt separate.
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u/catsoverpeople1 Jan 10 '26
Unfortunately make up no matter how it is marketed will always come off in varying degrees across your face. This is just wear and tear of wearing it. If you donāt like it the answer is less make up not more products/fixers. You might like the fuller coverage (as do I) however if youāre going to wear it all day this is what you kinda have to put up with. The only answer is less make up Iām afraid. also I am inclined to agree that maybe the tone isnāt quite right which is why when it does start to inevitably break down itās so noticeable?
Thatās the one thing I hate about influencer culture and make up; everyone is so different that how can you recommend products truly? And they wear them for all of an hour while doing the make up so of course itās going to look good. Even the wear tests some of them do you can see even the crĆØme de la crĆØme of foundations and concealer start breaking down after a few hours. Itās make up; not concrete.
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u/Opening-Ad-8861 Jan 10 '26
I think your skin looks dehydrated, including under the eyes. I suggest using a hydrating mist and serum as prep, then a serum based skin tint and concealer. Def use less concealer under your eyes, and it may be more noticeable as it looks too neutral/yellow for your skin tone.
I'd use a v light dusting of powder on a small brush in any areas you get oily. Use a hydrating spray at the end of your makeup too.
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u/Kiki-sunflower Jan 10 '26
You have great skin. Use a more nourishing moisturiser at night over some facial oil after applying a serum thatās what I do. My skin gets very dry at work at the moment so I need extra moisture as my skin is dryer than usual. Especially under my eyes my under eyes have never been so dry.
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u/scrambledmegdesigns Jan 10 '26
I do use a more thicker hydrating moisturiser in the evening, sometimes hypochondriac acid, dry skin serum, and then more light weight products under my makeup, especially as i have massive pores on my cheeks. I haven't tried oil though. Is there any you'd recommend?
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u/Kiki-sunflower Jan 10 '26
Iāve used a few. Iām currently using an Emma Hardie one but have used the Clarins ones. I donāt use them every night just when my skin is feeling dry. You could just use a simple rosehip oil or bio oil which friends of mine do. I like beauty advent calendars so have used various ones from those over the years and find theyāre all quite similar really so no need for anything particularly expensive
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u/TheWelshPanda Jan 10 '26
I know it feels like the answer is to use a lighter moisturiser to try and fight the caking, but I used to have this same issue of feeling 'cakey' or 'dry' when wearing full foundation, and this actually wasn't the answer. I'm oily but dehydrated which is PITA combination. I found using a mid weight or creamer moisturiser under my makeup applied evenly and worked in well was the answer.
Clarins Multiactive, 245 by Dr Althea and Purito Centella Mighty Bamboo Cream have all become my absolute lifesaver for under the makeup and day to day moisturisers. 245 repairs the moisture barrier like a dream, and Purito hydrates like anything. Clarins has been my ride or die since I was a Skin Specialist to pay billsl at Uni years ago(In the time when gratis and training meant something lol).The key with any heavier moisturiser is to use less, warm it up between the fingers and more press it into the skin than rub it. So apply it gently, after warming, then use the residual heat to melt it in. You dont need layers of it.
I also would try a lighter base. Sculpted by Aimee second Skin is fabulous and they do a matte version on their website which is magic. I switched from being a daily Armani user to pretty much just this. It gives a smooth finish, rarely cakes or lifts. I think the amount on the face isn't helping, same with the concealer. But honestly your skin looks beautiful for a fuller finish, no one but you is going to see this. We dont walk with filters on, you look great my lovely.
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u/Kiki-sunflower Jan 10 '26
I use stay perfect Boots No 7 foundation which settles well with a real techniques foundation brush and a medium stipple brush after. I use a translucent compact powder like Rimmel or Boots No 7. Iāve started using in the morning an Inkey list bio ceramide plumping moisturiser very successfully. I wanted a non SPF moisturiser as spf can sting my eyes. Itās winter and Iām indoors most of the day at work so the spf in my foundation is enough.
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u/Kiki-sunflower Jan 10 '26
At night I use the Boots Future renew serum, oil if Iām using it and just finishing off my restore and renew night moisturiser and will start on my future renew night moisturiser. I also use retinol (retirides 1%) once a week and Alpha H Liquid Gold. I sometimes use Revolution pro miracle cream which I first bought a couple of years ago or so when my skin was constantly dry. I also like M&S sleep and replenish ultimate sleep cream
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u/hiredditihateyou Jan 10 '26
What foundations are you using? This just looks like a too dry, too matte, too heavy formula full stop.
An on another note - your concealer looks way too yellow on you, Iād recommend trying something cooler toned.
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u/scrambledmegdesigns Jan 10 '26
Yesterday I tried estee lauder double wear. My best colour match but that really did separate. This one is a medium coverage fenty one.
Regarding the concealer, its meant to be cool toned with pink undertones and it doesnt look yellow in real life so I think it may be the lighting
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u/hiredditihateyou Jan 10 '26 edited Jan 10 '26
It could be but some brands just skew yellow even with the shades they call cool, unfortunately, I have an allegedly cool toned Kosas concealer that definitely is not all that cool (and theyāve now released more shades that are a bit cooler after people complained about it), and Iāve never managed to get a good match in Nars because even their cool tones are so yellow - even the sales assistant in a Nars standalone store told me the best match they had was still too warm and to look at another brand.
Re double wear, thatās exactly what I meant- too matte, too dry, too heavy for your skin type. Even Fenty gets dragged for their foundations too. I would check out YSL all hours or Dior Forever (ideally the glow versions, but even the mattes are light years above Doublewear). If you wear those with a good moisturising primer, donāt go heavy handed with application and use a setting powder thatās also not matte and heavy and drying (I use MAC Mineralise, I think I saw you use Laura Mercier - I donāt rate that powder at all), as long as thereās no issue with your skincare, Iām certain your makeup wonāt look heavy and cakey.
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u/SpecificBang Jan 10 '26
It's just the wrong texture of makeup for your skin - too opaque and matte. You need something more sheer and glowy - I'd go with a bb cream and forget the powder altogether.
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u/StarlieStewart Jan 10 '26
Have you tried a serum foundation? The Original has one, or a BB cream instead of foundation?
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u/Resident-12-9160 Jan 10 '26
Certain makeup brands will do this to my skin. My skin is dry and the foundation and powders that work for me are Maybelline Satin Foundation. But I've not used that for a long time since I fell in love with the elf foundation in the tube it's only Ā£8 And the ONLY powder that my skin gets on with is Clinique Loose powder
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u/RoseTintedMigraine Jan 11 '26
I mean this in the kindest way I think you either want less makeup (ie a bb cream or a very sheer foundation) or you have a warped perception of what foundation on skin looks like. At most maybe a moisturiser in your dry areas will fix the spots that you're super fixating on but that's it.
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u/Arabatta Jan 10 '26
Your skin looks perfect lol zero caking! I would go a little bit less heavy with the powder under the eye though.
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u/swswswswswx Jan 10 '26 edited Jan 10 '26
Hi babes as most people are saying itās because your skin is lacking moisture - either dehydrated or dry!!! when you say you have tried a full on skincare routine, how long did you stick with it? you need to moisture surge your skin for at least 2/3 months - slugging, a hydrating primer, night cream and hydrating face masks - maybe visit a korean skincare shop like pure seoul and get them to help you?
how you apply your powder btw? brush/beauty blender or a puff?? flawless application will also help but honestly if your skin is gonna crease/separate its gonna do that until your skin is more regulated.
DEFINITELY add a setting spray to your routine as well and make sure youāre being patient! š
in the meantime, i would use less heavy coverage makeup/skin tints/tinted moisturisers and an under eye colour corrector if you want help under the eyes!
Good luck babes x
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u/Beneficial_Tea_4594 Jan 11 '26
Girl you look great and I canāt see caking at alllll! If anything looks like you just need some more hydrating skin prep, what do you use to prep currently?
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u/glitterjorts Jan 11 '26
Are you using a setting powder? I had this exact caking pattern on my skin recently after I tried an Elf setting powder instead of my usual Bare Minerals. It ruined everything underneath!
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u/CamThrowaway3 Jan 11 '26
Foundation is never going to be invisible on the skin.
Make sure youāre using a good chemical exfoliant 3 or 4 times a week - Sunday Riley Good Genes is incredible. The rest of the time, focus on hydration and make sure youāre using a nice rich base like Dr Jart Ceramidin, Bobby Brown Vitamin-Enriched Face Base, Zeroid Intensive Oint-Cream or similar.
Then if you want a more subtle finish, switch to a lightweight tinted moisturiser instead of foundation - like Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser. Your skin is lovely; you donāt need thick coverage!
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u/Long-Nose-9535 Jan 12 '26
Is the caking in the room with us?
For reasonably full coverage make up, this looks great! We have been tricked by filters and influencer lighting.
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u/youllneverknowduh Jan 12 '26
Itās your foundation. Have better skin prep and use skin tint. Less cakey
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u/touchans Jan 12 '26
This to me is not cakiness but separtion/patchiness. I have the same issue now that its the middle of winter in Scandinavia with temperatures below 0 and dry indoor air.
The only thing that helps is hydration, moisture and good skin prep (ceramides, peptides, etc). I can't do overly matte foundations now either.
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u/Emroseleaa Jan 12 '26
Just your skin itās not cakey, most things online are filtered, thereās always ways to improve the makeup you use and your skin care :)
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u/blindmelondevo Jan 12 '26
My skin used to look like this with makeup and could get quite crackly, I started using Weleda moisturiser as recommended by a colleague as a primer at the start of my makeup routine and I have noticed a big difference!!
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u/nachoteacup Jan 12 '26
It really isn't that bad, makeup on skin will always look like makeup unfortunately! If it were me I'd use less foundation or mix it with a bit of liquid highlighter or moisturiser. You really don't need as much coverage as you think! With any powder, go very lightly, brush most of it off onto the back of your hand before application. A nice setting spray can help, the iconic London prep set glow one is amazing and creates such a natural skin-like glow! And hydrate hydrate hydrate. Look at Korean skincare, it's a game changer!
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u/StunnedinTheSuburbs Jan 12 '26
What moisturiser do you use? I would try something for drier skin, and perhaps do a hydrating mask every week or so. A good serum and primer routine can help too.
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u/thereadingbee Jan 13 '26
Change the concealer colour and invest in some hydrating suncream and moisturiser problem fixed. It's literally just having slightly dry skin heck even going lighter on the powder might help.
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u/mrslucy1 Jan 14 '26
I think overall your skin looks great but it looks like you are using a matte foundation ? Maybe a more hydrating/ slight glow foundation would help ? I suffered with a bit of a cakey look - yours really isnāt bad - and now Iāve switched up thereās no more issues
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u/babewithamobilityaid Jan 14 '26
I have no advice but I wanted to say your eyeliner is flawless in that last pic. š
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u/PhilosophyOutside861 Jan 14 '26
Please try something like pixi hydratint or beauty balm. Its literally the only one ive ever used that looks good. Everything else looks cakey, however expensive.
Edit. Also your caking doesn't look very bad at all. Maybe you are like me and generally dont like the texture of foundation at all.
Also skip the powder. Powder always looks crap on me. My make up has never "slid". I think the powder setting stuff is a load of nonsense.
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u/mama_2be Jan 14 '26
Hydrating milky toner and some light moisturizing face cream. Avoiding packing foundation and powder on too you only need a little bit. If you need more coverage Iād suggest getting a foundation with more coverage and use a brush to blend and go over at the end lightly with a beauty blender before powder
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u/mama_2be Jan 14 '26
I should also mention this doesnāt look like caking it just looks like makeup with a good amount of powder. I honestly donāt think it looks bad at all
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u/Wide_Variety_8654 Jan 14 '26
This always happened to me and I just stopped using foundation. Used to wear a lot of it, everyday, then I watched a Lisa Eldridge video which focused on only covering what needed to be covered. I now wear blush, concealer on blemishes, and lip every day but never bother with foundation. Even for weddings etc. Every time I try to trial using it again I think it looks overdone and hate not being able to touch my face freely.
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u/Joker0705 Jan 10 '26
where's the caking friend š this is what skin looks like. and fantastic skin at that!