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By Sophie Joaman • August 2, 2022 • 6 mins read
Imagine, you’ve just applied your makeup and notice that it has already split and separated on your face. It happens to the best of us, but it’s not great when you want to look and feel your best.
Foundation usually separates when your skin is either too dry or too oily. If dry, the foundation cracks and clings to dry patches. If oily, you’ll notice that the foundation formula separates and moves to other areas of your face.
Here’s the thing though, even if you have dry or oily skin, separating foundation can easily be fixed. With some proper skin prepping and a few other techniques, such as setting your makeup, your foundation should stay in place.
How exactly, you ask? We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to make the whole process an absolute breeze.
One of the biggest causes of foundation separating is not prepping and priming the skin or applying makeup correctly in the first place. Having dry or oily skin isn’t the problem.
Not putting in the prep work is. Another reason as to why separating happens is all down to the types of products/foundations you are using and how much.
You would be amazed to find out, that separation can sometimes be fixed just by using less product on your face.
That’s why following a step-by-step approach to priming the skin and applying the correct kind of foundation for your skin type is going to be the most effective thing in preventing your foundation from separating.
If you never or rarely prep your skin before applying your makeup start today by giving your skin the TLC it deserves. A good skincare routine can after all benefit your skin in a multitude of ways, including creating a flawless base for your makeup and stopping any makeup cracking, slipping or separating.
This is especially important if you have problematic skin, such as dry and flaky or particularly oily skin. Although, it goes without saying, showing your skin some love regardless of your skin type can transform how you’re your makeup looks.
To start, wash your face with a cleanser and warm water to rid the skin of any impurities and old makeup sitting on the skin. You can also use this time to exfoliate the skin.
Exfoliating can do wonders for your face and help get rid of any dirt clogged into the pores, which if left, is only going to sit underneath your makeup and crack, break or separate your foundation.
At this point, your skin will be looking and feeling so much fresher, so add in a hydrating moisturiser to lock in that natural goodness before moving on. Wait for the product to absorb into your skin for a few minutes after massaging in.
Now you’ve got a gorgeous, cleansed base to work with you can start to prime your skin. Using a primer is an absolute must and forms the very base of your makeup look. Your makeup will be able to glide on much better if you are primed, so don’t skip straight to foundation just yet.
A primer will also stop your foundation from moving if you have oily skin and will keep you hydrated to prevent cracking if you have dry skin. It’s also a good idea to use a similar primer and foundation, so choose carefully at this point.
For example, if you have oily skin, opt for water-based or silicone products that are going to absorb some of that natural oil on your skin, likewise, you may want to use a matte finish foundation to keep the shine at bay.
On the other hand, if your skin is dry, you’ll likely want to use both a primer and foundation with more hydrating properties and a dewy finish.
Deciding which products you’re going to use before you apply them, will stop you from having to start all over again and will most importantly, keep your makeup in place for much longer.
The not-so-secret, secret to getting your foundation bang on, is to use a little and use it well. Once you’ve matched your foundation to your specific skin requirements, begin by applying a little foundation evenly over the skin and blend in well.
By using less product you are likely to avoid the pitfalls of foundation that may otherwise shift and separate from your skin later on down the line. So start off with a small amount first and build upon it afterwards if needed/wanted.
Just as prepping your skin is important, setting and sealing your makeup in place is also crucial. Setting your face means that your makeup is locked in place so that it doesn’t have the opportunity to move.
And there are two steps you can and should take with your setting routine: powder and setting spray to maximise stunning and minimise separating.
Firstly, dusting a translucent powder lightly all over your face will help to combat any oiliness on the skin and stop it from disrupting your makeup later on.
Without it, you might get extra oiliness and shininess which can both cause makeup to separate, especially if you sweat or things heat up. Dab on your powder with a brush and make sure it is blended in well to set the makeup in place.
If you have dry skin, you can still use powder, just keep it to any areas that really need it the most, such as an oily t-zone or anywhere that gets particularly shiny.
The final step to your makeup routine and one that will keep your foundation in place is to spritz a setting spray all over your face. Just like your primer, consider what kind of setting spray you are using with your skin requirements in mind.
If your foundation separates because you have oily skin, then choosing a water-based, long-hold setting spray can help keep shininess at bay. If on the other hand, you find that your foundation cracks and cakes, you might want to look at a setting spray with hydrating properties in, to keep your makeup looking fresh all day.
It really is as simple as that. Following a step-by-step approach to your makeup routine, starting with a good skincare routine and prep can stop the separated foundation from ruining your feel-good vibes.
Try out the steps and see for yourself just how much of a difference it makes!
