Primer and/or powder recommendations

[EverythingWasGolden]

All of a sudden my makeup is looking cakey and terrible. I've always used a moisturizer that worked well as a primer but for whatever reason it doesn't seem to be doing the trick.

Can anyone recommend a primer? I have acne prone t-zone skin. More greasy than dry.

Also a powder? I've been looking for the right powder for years with no luck - always makes me look cakey after a while. I switched to makeup setting spray but I'm not sold on that either.

Or maybe I'm just doing it all wrong! Probably, although I am sure when I was younger my makeup looked flawless and stayed in place without any effort

Maybe your skincare regime needs changing up? If your makeup is looking cakey it could be that your skin is dehydrated and is absorbing the moisture leaving your skin looking dry. Do you use skincare tailored to combination skin? Maybe having more hydrating formulated makeup products will help too.

Powder - Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Pressed Powder People mumsnet hate on Charlotte Tilbury, but I adore this product, butter soft and sets my foundation without making my look cakey or completely flat.

Primer - MILK Hydro Grip Primer. This is a tacky primer, very different feel if you are used to the silicone primers like benefit porefessional but great for lasting power.

Setting Sprays - I don't really use these, but I saw a YouTube video (might have been Wayne Goss) where they discuss that most are actually formulated with ingredients that breakdown make-up, this is why you see 'gurus' on YouTube with cakey, thick foundation, spray setting spray and have it look great, because they softened the look by breaking the product down.

Sounds like a skincare issue.

Do you have a good routine?

Agree with PPs about new skincare being needed but have to recommend the MAC mineralize skinfinish powder. It makes my skin look matte but glowy and best of all, doesn't emphasise fine lines or my peach fuzz.

I agree with pp about skincare. I also have oily acne prone skin, as I've got older I started having the same issues. What has helped me is using rose hip oil at night and the hada labo lotion am and pm.
Although I stopped using Estée Lauder double wear foundation as I just feel like it's started to make me look older so I'm still trying to find a decent non cakey/drying lasting foundation.

Thanks so much everyone. I've never tried Charlotte Tilbury and have only ever heard of it on MN! But willing to give it a go.

I have a pretty basic skin care routine tbh, warm cloth/soap wash at night and moisturise, shower and moisturise (most) mornings. I'll look into something more advanced.

I'm trying to move away from double wear as well whatsmybabysname but struggling to find something else so far. No7 Luminous (?) seems to be the most recent foundation recommendation on here so I might try that next!

EverythingWasGolden I'd love to hear how you get on with the no7 foundation, we sound quite similar.
I've tried double wear light which I hated, just as heavy as double wear but doesn't stay on.
Tried MAC, that goes quite shiny on me.
Revlon colourstay is what I'm using for work as it's quite cheap, the colour is a perfect match for me but it doesn't stay on all day.
I'm currently trialling Elizabeth Arden flawless finish which I'm liking so far.

Just an update on what I've tried for anyone interested especially @whatsmybabysname

Boots No7 HydraLuminous so far seems good - coverage and staying power is good. Colour match not quite perfect but there is a good range of pale/fair colours so I'll try another shade next time. Happy to stick with it instead of doublewear for a few months to really test it out but initial impressions are good.

Charlotte Tilbury powder seems really good so far. Seems to keep everything in place all day and isn't too cakey or flakey.

When buying the powder I was tempted into buying the Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter highlighter stuff. It's fine, it doesn't offend me, but I feel slightly duped by the gazillions of reviews claiming it was life changing.

Also bought the Milk primer recommended upthread but haven't tried it yet.

I am a make-up artist and I find this is the best: Primer: Estée Lauder the illuminator applied lightly with fingers/foundation brush. Foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear applied with foundation brush and sponge (wet with setting spray) plus mixed in with benefit high beam. Concealer: Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer (buy lighter than foundation). Benefit high beam on cheeks. Powder: Estée Lauder Powder foundation in same shade as foundation and W7 banana powder. Hope this helps. X

@EverythingWasGolden I'm very intrigued by the No7, might pop into boots and get some glad you've found something that's working!