Not sure if it's just me but makeup always looks cakey and rough on my face. This is tinted moisturizer with the tiniest…

What is your skincare routine? I know if my skin is dry underneath my makeup will look cakey.

Or could possibly be the tools you apply with?

Tinted moisturizer shouldn't cake unless you're putting too much. ?

Doesn't look cakey at all. ??

But contour goes on before your highlight.

I wash my face with an exfoliant every shower and follow up with witch hazel and facial moisturizer. I take my makeup off every night and my skin usually isn't dry. Info have terrible winter skin though and my whole face gets flakey. I also don't wear a lot of makeup anymore. I've been trying to every day to help me feel a bit better about myself. I added concealer to my tinted moisturizer for a little more coverage which I think is why I thought it looked really cakey. I do use actual foundation on occasion but I like the texture of tinted moisturizer more. I also prime my face prior to putting any makeup on.

You might want to go a shade lighter on your foundation/powder that you're using. Also maybe try using a beauty blender to help?

Only because you asked, I'm going to explain why it looks cakey, because I agree.

For one, your eyeliner is black and you are fair skinned. It's washing out your face an making your eyes look small. Because of that, your cheeks and forehead also appear to have zero depth / all the same color. You need at the very least a touch of bronzer or some type of color (even a single light swipe of blush) to make it look like you didn't just put on a single coat of foundation. Definitely I'd try a bronzer, and if you're feeling up to trying some contouring you definitely could take care of your issue.

Aside from that, try some high end foundation. Cheap foundation cakes, the kind that runs $30/40 a bottle doesnt.

I would try to exfoliating and moisturizing if you aren't already.

I wouldn't listen to pp about the price issue. Most of the foundations I've tried from the drugstore don't get cakey. I found most of my high end were the ones that caked up.

Maybe try a moisturizing primer and setting with a light layer of powder and a setting spray. Also try using a small amount first and build up from there.

I'm sorry but if you're buying high end products and they're caking, they're either being applied without brushes or you're buying the wrong product for your skin type. There is no way that walgreens foundation is "better" than Mac or Estee.

I use born this way foundation which is expensive, but if i dont prime right it will get dry and cakey due to my skin. I wash my fash with cetaphil. Use yes to tomatoes daily moisturizer and let that settle. Then i use benefit porefessional primer and let that settle in. And then i use my Mac fix+ and that is where the real magic happens in letting my makeup go on smooth and even. Then i apply my foundation with a beauty blender for a smoother application. I have dry/combo skin. I would say how you prep your skin will change everything for you. Also practice with different applications.

Edit: i also do contour, highlight, blush, concealor, and setting powder