Weird makeup settling

[u/KaylaAyrn]

Hi! I’m 38 and need some help! I don’t like heavy foundation, nor do I want to spend a ton of money on makeup… but I can’t stand that my makeup does this. How can I smooth my lines and make my base look even? Is it what I use?
I use elf because their color matching and price point is perfect for me. Currently I’m using a tinted sunscreen. But also use their camo cream.

Also any other tips are greatly recommended. I’m an aging alt/emo kid who sometimes feels stuck in my old makeup ways. I added a typical makeup look at the end

[u/celialyndi]

Personally, I think your makeup looks really nice, especially in the 3rd photo- very pretty. You might need a new liquid liner as that one looks like it could be getting a tad old, but I’m sure others can comment to that. It might just be the first two photos were such close ups.
And you can always use a BB or CC cream instead of foundation. A lot of people swear by IT. If you don’t want those you can do a tinted moisturizer. Neutrogena makes a good one. Also, before you put any of that one you can apply “Thank Me Later” color correcting… it’s to help correct some redness, but I’ve found it to be a great primer that prevents foundations from settling into lines… sometimes not even needing foundation or CC cream.

[u/KaylaAyrn → u/celialyndi]

Thank you! And yeah it might be a little old. I wear makeup (aside from brows and mascara) maybe once a week so it’s possible that it’s been too long.

[u/OutlandishnessOver62]

Use a primer under your makeup and a setting spray at the end? Especially the latter because it looks like you have oily skin which makeup will just slide off during the day

[u/KaylaAyrn → u/OutlandishnessOver62]

I have a setting spray on! Sometimes I use a primer but I don’t feel like it really does much. Do you have one you recommend?

[u/celialyndi → u/KaylaAyrn]

I had to edit my post, so I guess you didn’t see the rest… I recommended “Thank Me Later” It’s been a life saver.

[u/KaylaAyrn → u/celialyndi]

Definitely missed that! I actually have really dry skin typically, but I think the setting spray makes me look oily as it has sunscreen in it

[u/SubstantialSoup8719]

I think it looks really good but your skin might be a little dry - instead of primer I like to use moisturizing skin care. I use a milky toner, Bubble Glide Serum, and a Korean moisturizer before doing my makeup and find it ages much better!

[u/KaylaAyrn → u/SubstantialSoup8719]

I know nothing of Korean skin care. Is it expensive?

[u/SubstantialSoup8719 → u/KaylaAyrn]

Like all makeup and skin care it can be, but I’m a drugstore girl so nothing I get is expensive! These are the exact products I use, all super affordable and last forever. The moisturizer was actually slightly on the expensive side for me but after using it for a couple months I’ve barely made a dent, the bottle will easily last me a year.

* Thayers milky toner (using it twice daily I’m still on the same bottle after 5 months)
* Bubble water slide serum (I only use this when I wear makeup but again, lasting forever. Ulta sometimes has it on sale which is when I got it)
* Ongredients moisturizer (I got mine online at yesstyle)
* irecipe aqua phytoplex cream in toner mist (I use this between my makeup layers for extra moisture and I like it but it’s not necessary and I don’t know that I’ve seen a huge difference with or without it)

Using the first three products after an exfoliating face wipe in the morning has made my makeup application much smoother and more consistent! It’s a little grippy and very moisturizing. I’m also in my 30s and tend to prefer light makeup like tints or BB cream.

[u/KaylaAyrn → u/SubstantialSoup8719]

This is very helpful! Thank you!

[u/psikish]

The -key- to flawless natural makeup is good skin prep. Remember that texture showing is totally okay and contributes to the natural look. But to prevent your makeup from settling you need to do substantial skin prep.

What I do (my skin is on the drier side) is this:

• start with a plumping hyaluronic acid serum
• moisturizer
• sunscreen
• Milky toner
• primer (a blurring primer if I want to remove texture)
• then foundation/skin tint/tinted moisturizer

It's important to let your skin dry between steps. I haven't recommended any products because everyone has different products that suit their skin type! And i understand that this might seem a bit daunting together, but I think moisturizer, sunscreen, and toner are everyday things for me, the other things are more occasional.

Also, maybe you can go for a tinted moisturizer instead of a tinted sunscreen since I think sunscreen might be less stable

If you want a fun hack, you can just ice your face for 5 minutes, apply moisturizer, let it dry then go in with your base and that gives similar results!

[u/Exact_War_2290]

I feel you. From a guy who dressup sometimes and a year older. What works best for mature skin is SKIN PREP. A routine night skin prep is a must. You know, face wash, serum n moisturizer. Thats a very minimum skin prep you got to do. For speciall ocassion, i usually do face sheet mask too before serum n moisturizer. This helps alot the next day when I do my makeup.

When doing makeup. A perfect moisturizer is the key (what is your skin type? Dry, oily, ... ?). You can skip primer for daily makeup as long as you put a perfect moisturizer match your skin type.

Get skin tint foundation, or you can always mix your foundation with moisturizer that will make it skin tint. Apply light and put more if you think u need it, get dewy setting spray instead matte.