Avoiding Cakeface: Setting Sprays to Reckon With

We've all been there. You've toiled for hours over your makeup, and then you realise, you're suffering from cakeface. I've been in that situation far too many times and sometimes it's just not possible to redo your makeup.

The first step to avoiding it is a base that works seamlessly with your foundation and doesn't cause it to crack. Silicon based primers are often the key problem in cakey foundation but if you do want to continue to use them, try a moisturiser. I've been obsessed with Ark Skincare Age Protect Moisturiser which is quite a thick day moisturiser but it works really nicely with makeup and avoids your primer getting too dry and causing your foundation to crack.

Once I've prepped my skin and do my makeup as normal, then is the issue of making your makeup sit better. Before I use a setting spray, I've been obsessed with moisture based sprays like this Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. This essentially acts as a dillutant and softens your makeup to make it look a bit more natural. I really like this spray because the rose is calming so it won't exacerbate any skin issues.

With a large number of setting sprays on the market and the rise of drugstore equivalents, it's quite hard to find reasonably priced versions that don't mess up your skin or make your foundation look cakey. NYX always knocks it out of the park and their Dewy Finish Setting Spray is brilliant. This is ideal if you prefer a glowy finish and have used a more matte foundation. I tend to reach for this if I've applied a bit too much powder- I needed this quite a lot when I was experimenting with a cheap translucent powder. If you are a bit shiny, this isn't the best option as it does give serious dew.

And finally, I love a bit of MAC Fix+. If I am using a thicker or more high coverage foundation, I find spraying this onto a beauty blender really softens how a foundation looks and avoids it "drying out" on my skin and making it look cakey. I sometimes spray this directly onto my face if I'm going out for the evening as it doesn't make my skin look oily. 

What are some of your favourite ways to stop your makeup looking cakey?