Suffering from grainy makeup? Here's how to get rid of it

Honestly: applying makeup the right way remains higher mathematics for me every time. Because why is it so difficult to keep eyeshadow on your eyelid all day long, and why after all these years can I still not manage to create an eyeliner wing that is equal on both sides?

But what I find perhaps even more difficult (and where I think we can all agree) is foundation. Not only is finding the right color something that most people take at least three years too long to do, applying it is also something many people (myself included) could use a lesson in. Then it flakes off again, then it doesn't combine well with my powder, and I could go on like this for a while. But I cracked the code. With the guide below – there are quite a few steps – you can maintain an even finish without your foundation flaking off throughout the day.

Let products absorb well beforehand
No one can work on a wet canvas. Your serum, day cream, sunscreen, and primer need to have time to absorb into the skin before you start with foundation; otherwise, you can guarantee that your makeup will peel off.
 
Don't use too much
Maybe a bit obvious, but this time it's not about the amount of foundation you apply. If your base has absorbed well into the skin, the number of layers of foundation you paint over it doesn't really matter. What does matter is the amount of skincare you apply beforehand. Too much serum or day cream that isn't absorbed into the skin will just sit on top. So always use just a little bit. Better for your wallet AND for your look.

Check your skincare
Skincare is the key to a smooth baby skin, both without and with makeup. When the skin isn't properly prepped beforehand, issues like dryness, flakes, or clogged pores can arise, affecting the texture of your skin. This makes it much harder to apply foundation evenly. In other words: without a well-hydrated skin beforehand, you're nowhere.

Avoid products with silicones
Although silicones are found in a lot of makeup (think of a day cream, primer, or foundation), you want to read the ingredient list from now on. Silicones are not absorbed into the skin, which effectively forms a layer on your face. If you apply too many silicones on top of each other, this layer becomes way too thick and will start to peel off during the day. Not a pretty sight, I can tell you.

Try using your fingers
Believe it or not: for an even finish, you don't always need to use a brush or sponge. Shocker. Using your (washed!) hands to apply foundation gives you the most natural finish because the product truly melts into the skin through the warmth of your hands.

Never forget to set your makeup
What you apply to your skin afterward is just as important as what you put on beforehand. What I mean by this is: a good fixing spray is essential in your routine because it sets your makeup in an even, fresh whole. My ultimate holy grail is the one from MAC Cosmetics, the Prep+Prime Fix Setting Spray.

Use makeup made on the same base
If you mix silicone-based makeup with water-based makeup, you're already far from home and might as well grab that micellar water. So here it is: mix products that are made on the same base. To make it a bit easier for you, you can see in the video below exactly which products are water-based and which are not. It has certainly helped me a long way.

Image: @amaka.hamelijnck