How To Wear Matte Makeup Without It Looking Cakey

There’s a lot to love about matte makeup: It provides a smooth, velvety-looking finish, helps keep excess shine to a minimum, and lends itself exceptionally well to glam makeup looks. But it’s important to use the right products—and apply them properly—to achieve the desired effect. A heavy-handed approach could leave your skin looking dull or flat.

Fortunately, figuring out how to avoid cakey makeup when using matte finish products isn’t too difficult. Ultimately, it comes down to technique—less is often more. Here, we’ll share our tried-and-true tips for keeping your matte makeup looking smooth, not flat, and offer a look at some of our favorite products for creating a seamless matte makeup look. 

What Is Matte Makeup?

Matte makeup refers to any type of makeup that sets on the face without shine, sparkle, or luster (in short, it’s the opposite of a dewy finish). Nearly any product you use can have a matte finish, from foundation to lipstick—and while they appear velvety or powdery on the skin, matte makeup comes in a range of formats, including liquids, creams, and powders. 

When deciding between matte vs. dewy makeup, there are a few things to consider. The first is your skin type. Those with oily skin tend to already be on the glowier side, and using dewy-finish products can make the skin look overly shiny if you’re not careful. Matte makeup, by contrast, helps minimize the appearance of shine for a more balanced, harmonious look. 

You’ll also want to determine what sort of makeup look you’re after. While matte makeup can certainly be used for natural makeup, it really shines (metaphorically, anyway) with more glam looks. If a second-skin like effect is what you’re after, meanwhile, you may get better results with satin or dewy-finish products.

Ultimately, though, your personal preferences are what matter most. If you prefer a smooth, velvety look over a shiny or glowy one, matte makeup is your best bet. 

How to Avoid Cakey Makeup When Using Matte Products

Because matte-finish makeup has a drier, more velvety texture than satin or dewy-finish products, it can look cakey if applied incorrectly. So if you find yourself wondering “Why does my makeup look cakey?” anytime you wear matte products, keep reading—ahead, we’re sharing seven tips for keeping your matte makeup looking its best. 

1. Prep your skin well

Skin prep is important in any makeup routine, but especially crucial if you plan to wear matte makeup, as these products can cling to dry patches and emphasize skin texture. Cleanse your skin thoroughly before applying any makeup then apply a hydrating moisturizer to help ensure your makeup has a smooth, even base to sit on.

2. Use a makeup primer

Makeup primer helps give your products a smooth, even base to adhere to and improve the longevity of your makeup. Some can even help address skin concerns like redness, dullness, or unevenness. Just be sure to apply a thin layer to avoid pilling later down the line. 

3. Take your time blending

Thorough blending is the key to any good makeup look, but it’s especially important where matte makeup is concerned. Because matte-finish products have less shine than your skin, you’ll want to blend it out thoroughly to avoid any harsh lines of demarcation between your skin and the products you’re using.

4. Use powder where necessary, especially on the T-zone

Powder can be a helpful tool in minimizing excess shine, but it’s important to use it sparingly: coating your face in a thick layer of powder is almost guaranteed to leave you looking cakey. Lightly pat powder onto the areas that need it most (like your nose and chin) and skip the drier areas to ensure a natural matte makeup look.

5. Apply products in thin layers

In many cases, cakiness results from an improper application technique—specifically, applying too much makeup. Because matte makeup lacks shine or radiance, it can look flat if over-applied. To minimize cakiness, adopt a less-is-more approach and apply your products in thin layers. If you find there are areas you’d like additional coverage, you can always go back in and build it up.

6. Avoid applying liquids over powders

While you can (and, in many cases, should) apply powder products over liquid products, applying liquids or creams over powder makeup can result in a patchy, cakey finish. If you’re using both liquid and powder products, apply all of your liquid makeup before reaching for the powders. 

7. Use a setting spray

Setting spray helps lock in your makeup, minimize creasing, and prevent your products from settling into fine lines—all must-haves if you’re worried about your matte look becoming cakey as the day goes on. 

How To Get a Matte Makeup Look

If you’re interested in trying matte makeup but need a little inspiration, keep reading. Ahead, we’re sharing a simple makeup routine starring some of our favorite matte-finish makeup products. 

Step 1. Start with a matte primer

As we mentioned above, priming your face can help improve the longevity of your makeup. Some formulas can also help address skin concerns—such as dullness, unevenness, or redness—as well. If you’re looking to tamp down on excess oil before you apply your foundation, we suggest priming with the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Matte Setter. The non-comedogenic formula instantly mattifies shiny skin and helps extend makeup wear for up to 24 hours. 

Step 2. Apply buildable foundation

Once you’re done priming, you can begin working your way through the rest of your matte makeup routine, starting with a long-wear foundation. For a smooth, matte base that doesn’t look cakey or flat, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. It has a light-as-air texture and provides medium coverage with a smooth, demi-matte finish. If you favor a full-coverage base, we suggest reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up To 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder. This powder foundation covers like a liquid, mattifies the skin without looking cakey, and offers up to 24 hours of comfortable, breathable wear (it’s even waterproof).

Step 3. Build definition with bronzer

Bronzer can be incredibly helpful in giving your matte makeup look some (natural-looking) definition. You don’t need to go overboard: dusting a matte bronzer across your cheekbones, upper forehead, chin, and décolletage can help add warmth without the need to pile on product and risk a cakey finish. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer, which gives skin a sunkissed glow with a matte finish that’s simultaneously waterproof and transfer-proof. 

Step 4. Sweep on blush

Add a flush of lively color by sweeping a matte blush over the apples of your cheeks. For maximum pigment, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush, which comes in four stunning shades of pink and purple to complement all skin tones. This transfer-resistant and sweat-resistant formula applies smoothly, won’t emphasize skin texture or clog pores, and boasts a soft matte finish that perfectly complements a natural matte makeup look. Blend it out with a fluffy brush for a natural look free of harsh lines.

Step 5. Add eye makeup

An eye-catching matte makeup look just isn’t complete without eye makeup. While you can go in any direction with your matte eye makeup, we’re big fans of a soft brown smoky eye. Start by sweeping the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Brown Bliss onto your lids, extending the color past your crease for a diffused effect. Then, use an eyeshadow brush to pat a slightly darker shadow onto your outer corner, blending the pigment outward to create a soft, smoky wing. 

You can apply your eyeliner as usual, using a matte eye pencil like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Intense Black. It glides on like a creamy gel eyeliner and wears for up to 36 hours without creasing or smudging. If you prefer liquid liner, perfect your cat wing with the L’Oréal Paris Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner in Black, which boasts an ultra-fine pointed tip that makes drawing sharp, clean lines a breeze.

Step 6. Coat your lashes

To finish your matte eye makeup look, you’ll need mascara. And no, you don’t need to stress about finding a matte mascara—just grab whichever one is your favorite, since the formula most likely dries more matte anyway. If you want eyelashes with voluptuous volume and lush length (who doesn’t?), use L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Waterproof Mascara—it lifts, lengthens, and volumizes lashes without a heavy, weighed-down feel.

Step 7. Add matte lipstick

Consider a bold matte lip the pièce de résistance of your matte makeup look—it’s the finishing touch that ties everything together. For a classic (and undeniably glam) look, red is hard to beat. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Le Rouge Paris—the crimson hue is incredibly flattering, and the lightweight formula delivers long-lasting color while feeling hydrating on the lips. Plus, it wears for up to 16 hours while resisting smudging and transferring. 

If you prefer cream lipstick over liquid lipstick, opt for the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick, which boasts a powdery matte finish that feels comfortable all day long. The lineup includes 22 vibrant shades to flatter a range of skin tones—try a soft, pinky-nude with Worth It, or opt for a more colorful lip look with the vibrant Le Coral Gracious.

An extra optional step is to use a lip liner to line the edges of your lips before filling them in completely. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner to prime your pout and help the color stay put longer.

Step 8. Set your matte makeup

Complete your natural matte makeup look with a setting spray that won’t disturb the shine-free finish you just worked so hard to achieve. You can use a mattifying formula or reach for a setting spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, which leaves a natural, healthy-looking finish that lasts for up to 36 hours. Spritz it over your entire face in an “X” and “T” motion for flawless, matte finish makeup that doesn’t crease or settle into fine lines.

Next Up: The Correct Order to Apply Makeup