Foundation looking cakey

[longdiling]

I am new to all this beauty stuff and thought I'd treat myself to some decent foundation. I bought some clinique anti redness but I've tried applying it a few times now and it just looks all spotty and cakey and awful. Tried it with primer and without, with the clinique colour correction type stuff and with the L'Oréal nude magique. I am using my fingers, would a sponge help? Or have I just bought a dud and wasted £25?

I would take it back - Clinique are usually pretty decent about returns. It might just not work for your skin type. I always ask for samples before buying to avoid wasting a fortune on foundations that don't work for me - I rarely have issues getting a sample if I ask nicely.

However, you could be using too much - that certainly makes my foundation looks cakey.
A sponge or brush would probably help - a damp beautyblender or a damp Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge (I think that's what it's called - it's the orange one) tends to make my foundation look really good on the skin.

Thanks Carpaccio, I'll try that first. She did put a bit on my face to colour match and it looked ok on my cheek, it tends to cake up on my chin, nose and forehead.

Try a stippling brush, I'm on my second real techniques one and always, without fail, blot with a tissue. You can also mix a little moisturiser in to change the consistency. If nothing else works just take it back, Clinique are pretty good.

Thanks, I'll give that a whirl too! Ugh, I hope I don't have to take it back, the woman wasn't exactly falling over herself to help me. I went in with no make up and couldn't get any help at all from the No7 woman, the clinque woman very reluctantly (almost with a sigh) came to help me.

Yes - try a beauty blender or the cheaper real techniques dupe. Or Primark do one for £1.50 that's supposed to be okay too. I use one every day and my foundation looks air brushed. I love it!!

I find that fingers and sponges do give a slightly heavy look. Brushes can really buff into the skin. Watch Lisa Eldrige on YouTube for tips.

I often find I don't moisturise then my foundation looks caked on.

I used to love Clinique but after years I floated between various brands and I've now found a no 7 one that works well for me. I tend to go and visit the Saturday girl as she is spot on and likes her job

Bobbi brown lady told me it was due to insufficient skin care routine and I think she was right. She said it was dead skin cells.....?? I'm better about cleansing and face masks now, moisturise more frequently and it's made a big difference.

I just used to wash my face in the shower, but now use a proper cleanser, nip and fab pads, do microdermabrasion weekly.

And if I slip back Into old habits for a few days weeks makeup looks caked on again.

I've been in a proper skincare routine for a couple of months now after being pointed in the right direction on here! I double cleanse and use serum and moisturiser, previously I was the same as you whothefuckis and just used soap in the shower. Lots to try here, thanks all!

As previously said try applying your foundation with an egg shape sponge. I would say get the beauty blender sponge but they are pricey and I have found the Real Techniques one from boots (about £6) is just as good if not better due to the sloped part. You need to wet it and squeeze out the excess water before using it to dab on the foundation and you need to keep on top of washing it properly or it gets ruined pretty quickly. The difference I have found between using the sponge vs brushes or my fingers is quite amazing. It makes my pores vanish and looks a lot more natural.

I also should say don't go for a cheap £1 type of egg shaped sponge as they are not made the same material and don't do the job half as well.