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Sometimes women want extra coverage, so they simply apply more makeup. Ladies, put down the brush and step away from the makeup. Looking "cakey" is never a good idea when it comes to -- well, anything. There are foundations out there that will give you the coverage you need without caking onto your precious face. Too much of anything is never good.
Smooth, Even Coverage
A smooth, even coverage is what you should desire with your foundation. Senior fashion and beauty correspondent for JustLuxe.com, Jennifer Chan, loves Bare Minerals Matte Foundation. She says that it's great because it has SPF and really perfects skin tones without feeling too heavy. "A few well-blended swipes and you're good to go," says Chan. She also recommends using Bare Minerals Hydrating Mineral Veil because it keeps shine away and locks concealer into place.
Hydration
No matter what you do or where you go, your beautiful skin needs hydration. Makeup by Heather A makeup artist Heather Adessa agrees, and that's why she loves Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer for everyday use. "It will never feel cakey," says Adessa. "It is actually made to hydrate your skin and keep it moist throughout the day." For much fuller coverage, she recommends Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation. National Beauty Products Examiner Kirbie Johnson also loves Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer. She adds that it has a hint of a shimmer, which makes the skin appear to glow. "It's lightweight and blendable," says Johnson.
Drugstore Picks
You don't need to break the bank to get flawless skin, especially when it comes to makeup that doesn't cake. Johnson recommends L'Oreal's True Match. She says the foundation is lightweight and matches great with any skin tone. Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman loves Revlon ColorStay, also available at drugstores.
Secrets to Makeup Not Caking
There are application tips and tricks to help you apply foundation without making it cake. Celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor (AndrewSotomayor.com) says that no matter the level of coverage you desire, good makeup should always look like real skin. "Layering sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer is not the best choice when you want complete coverage," says Sotomayor. "It's like trying to stay warm in the winter by wearing several flimsy jackets." Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman says that the key is to find a product that has enough pigment to cover flaws, but is also movable. "I generally mix a touch of moisturizer with foundations to sheer them out," says Freedman. "I then spot cover with a fuller bodied concealer." He also recommends using a round brush to apply foundation because it helps give an airbrushed finish.

