When You’re Applying Liquid Foundation, Always Give It Enough Time to Set Before Applying Powder (2024)

August 27th, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

Here’s something that helps when I apply liquid foundation: ya gotta give it time. Always give it enough time to set before you jump in with powder, so like four or five minutes, because if your foundation is still wet when you apply your powder, all sorts of terrible, horrible, frightening things happen…

OK, not really. But sort of. 🙂 The powder won’t apply evenly, because the wet areas will collect more of it, and that’s not great.

Another happy side effect of waiting until your foundation sets is that it’s easier to gauge your coverage. If I just layer all willy-nilly, and just keep building my foundation up in layers while each layer is still kind of wet, I can’t gauge how much coverage I actually have, and I end up in Cake Face Town.

Because nine times out of 10 I like to wear as little foundation as possible, I’ll apply my first layer, and then wait for it to set. Then it’s easy to tell if (and where) I need to add more.

Just another hopefully heartache-saving tip I learned the hard way.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. North & South! Where the heck was I when this show came out? I’m marathoning it on Netflix tonight. Episode 3 is about to start. 🙂

So. Much. Drama! I love it, but those 19th century British dudes didn’t have a lot of game. How would you feel if someone rolled up to you and said, “Marry me, miss,” seemingly out of the blue? You do one little thing like push your hair behind your ear, and they think you want to marry them.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Kwmechelle says
August 27th, 2015 at 3:31 am
Heading to Google North & South because your description about putting your hair behind your ear & getting a proposal had me rolling….?
Reply
Agata says
August 27th, 2015 at 5:36 am
That’s a great tip. I am always so impatient that I never wait for my foundation to set in. Trying it today!
North& South used to be a really popular show in Poland in late 80s/early 90s, I remember some of it!
Reply
Shradha says
August 27th, 2015 at 6:17 am
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North and South is one of the better TV series t there. And very romantic. I saw it after Colin Firth’s Pride and Prejudice. Loved it 🙂 Btw Richard Armitrage is in the Hobbit. What waste of his good looks 🙁
Reply
Vanessa C says
August 27th, 2015 at 6:22 am
Great tip! My husband just bought me a SimpleHuman mirror as an early birthday gift (!!!) and I’ve never noticed how much foundation I cake on. I normally use 2 pumps, (lately using Mac Studio Fix Fluid mixing NC 40 and NC45 for my current tan) and it looks unbelievably cakey.
I used one pump today, and was astonished that I still got the same coverage and looks so much better.
I’m going to try this tip tomorrow. I’m mentally preparing to look as flawless as Beyonce!
xxxo, Vanessa
Reply
Jessica says
August 27th, 2015 at 6:49 am
I have discovered, now that I am older than I was 10 years ago when I wore powder, that I definitely should not wear powder. Ever.
My skin is too dry and it makes me look parched and ancient. So, no powder for me.
My friend, who is older than me with really oily skin, wears powder and she looks fantastic with it.
These days I rarely wear foundation at all. I don’t need anything other than spot coverage here and there.
Reply
Carolyn says
August 27th, 2015 at 7:29 am
Did I not tell you North & South was good? How much do you love Richard Armitage?!
Good reminder about letting my foundation set. I’m usually rushing to get my makeup done every morning that I probably never let my foundation or concealer set before the next step. Lately my skin is looking pretty good and I’ve got an awesome tan so I’ve been doing the bare minimum of concealer, blush and mascara. So easy!
Reply
Ericca says
August 27th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for the tip. Now, I see what I am doing wrong.
Reply
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Stephanie says
August 27th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Oops 🙂 I will definitely remember this next time I wear foundation! I put on my Urban Decay Naked Skin yesterday and didn’t let it dry before powdering but did just feel so happy with it…
Reply
Tatiana says
August 27th, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Great tip! I’m usually in such a rush that I don’t wait. Then I glob on more foundation, usually around my nose and then wonder why it emphasized the lines there. Patience, patience! Lol. Thanks for the tip!
Reply
Cathy says
August 27th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
gonna have to remember to let my foundation set from now on. Thanks for the tip!
North and south is so good! I rembember being on the last episode, pausing it and thinking there is no way they are going to wrap this up in 20 mins. So good. It’s one I can watch over and over
Reply
Regina M. says
August 27th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
Thanks for the tip, I always seem to forget to let my foundation set most days haha
North and South is amazing!! I am in love with Richard Armitage’s northern accent in this! But to be frank I’m not a big fan of Margaret’s character I don’t think she deserves the sweet John Thornton!!
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Celia says
August 27th, 2015 at 6:38 pm
I LOVE North and South- the book is amazing, too, but then you don’t get to look at Richard Armitage for severals hours, so… Also, they made the cotton mill workers more competent and intelligent in the mini-series; I kind of appreciated that.
Reply
Heloisa says
August 27th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
OMG Richard Armitage! Thorin Oakenshield from The Hobbit and Francis Dollarhyde from The Red Dragon (Hannibal TV Show)!! I don’t think it’s a waste of his good looks, quite the opposite. He made a bit horny for dwarves with his beard and piercing blue eyes, and he’s so hot and creepy as Mr. D! He appears wearing boxers during some episodes in Hannibal and even his split lip is not enough to make him ugly. A pity he’s a delusional serial killer, though.
Reply
Michaela says
August 27th, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Hi Karen you sure know what you’re talking about because when I went for a make up session that’s what they did. I can see this working if you put on foundation first & then Put on eyeshadow while waiting for the foundation to dry. But what do you do about fallout?
Reply
Rita says
August 28th, 2015 at 12:45 am
Yay! You’ve discovered North & South! I think I NEED to watch it again – need some unspoken passion.
Reply
Alison M says
August 29th, 2015 at 4:00 pm
North and South though!!! Ooooh, my gosh, enjoy! Every year or so I bring it back and fall in love all over again 😀
Reply
Liz says
September 5th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Great tip! I have been doing this for about a year and it does work wonders! As I wait for it to set, I do my undereye concealer & brows.
Reply

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When You’re Applying Liquid Foundation, Always Give It Enough Time to Set Before Applying Powder (2024)

FAQs

How long should you let foundation set before applying powder? ›

Let the foundation set for 3-5 minutes. Take a tissue, and blot all over your face, avoiding the nose if you have large pores. Pay special attention to the eyelids, lines under the eyes, and the corners of the eyes (where excess product will definitely have creased and collected).

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Should you always set foundation with powder? ›

“Because skin is a porous surface and produces oil, you want to set your face makeup with powder to help it last longer without melting away,” he says. You can apply setting powder at the end of your makeup routine, on top of foundation, concealer and any liquid or cream products.

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How do you use liquid foundation with setting powder? ›

A basic beauty rule of thumb, when you layer wet and dry products together, they bond, and makeup lasts longer. Traditional liquid foundation and concealer are "wet", whereas setting powder is "dry". It's also very fine, so you can layer over more wet products without fear of looking cakey or overdone.

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What happens if you put setting powder before foundation? ›

Powder is usually the final “setting” step to seal foundation and concealer, but some on TikTok suggest that using it before foundation can keep your makeup in place for longer and give a better finish.

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Can you use powder foundation on top of liquid foundation? ›

If you don't have access to a Makeup Setting Spray, the best way to set makeup is to use powder on top of your liquid foundation, such as DB's Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation. Knowing how to apply pressed powder over liquid foundation can help you keep your base fresh for all day and nightwear.

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How long should setting powder sit? ›

Baking your makeup is the process of applying concealer and loose powder under your eyes for a crease-free, flawless-looking finish. Traditional baking uses a damp sponge to allow the loose powder to sit under your eyes for 5-10 minutes to blend with your foundation and concealer.

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What kind of powder to use after liquid foundation? ›

Use a translucent, talc-free mineral pressed setting powder like our Perfecting Powder to set and mattify your cream or liquid foundation, to absorb any excess oil, and to blur any remaining imperfections,” says Janeena. “It extends the length of time your makeup will last without smudging or budging.”

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Why does setting powder look cakey? ›

Sometimes, the reason for cakey makeup is way too much product or not the right products, and other times, it has more to do with your actual skin, like skin that's too dry or too oily, or skin that hasn't been prepped properly.

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Should I put setting spray before setting powder? ›

Setting spray actually melts makeup into your skin. So spraying after powder creates a more natural look.

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Do you put concealer on before or after foundation? ›

While the majority of experts recommend applying a light layer of foundation before concealer, we admit there are instances where you benefit from a concealer first, like: If you're getting photographed. If your concealer shade isn't the same as your foundation. If you're color-correcting discoloration.

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What do you put on your face before powder foundation? ›

You may want to start with a primer to create a matte base to work with, and to ensure that your foundation lasts even longer. Make sure your primer is fully dry before applying your powder foundation. Then, place concealer on any spots that you want to camouflage. Now you're ready for foundation.

How to apply powder foundation without looking cakey? ›

Generally speaking, powder brushes are your best bet for getting a non-cakey, sheer finish, though this can vary based on the product you choose. However, you can also use a powder foundation and powder brush over liquid or cream foundations for a fuller coverage.