6 Expert-Approved Makeup Tricks If You Have Uneven, Textured Skin

When you have rough and bumpy skin you know it can be a bit tricky to apply makeup products so everything can appear smooth. You don’t want to apply too much product as it could appear cakey or make the uneven texture look even more noticeable. It’s all about achieving the right balance so your skin looks smooth and natural. But that’s easier said than done, right?

To help, I asked two makeup artists for their best tips for applying foundation to textured skin. See what they had to say below.

1. Prep the skin: It’s important to take care of your skin before you apply any makeup—in fact, it’s crucial even if you’re not dealing with textured skin. “At home cleansing and hydrating is key before you do your makeup,” explains celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney, whose clients include Megan Fox and Ashley Graham. “I am loving Darya Hope’s Triple Cleanse Facial System to clean and exfoliate the skin. Next, I love to apply a mask, my go-to is Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Mask. Next, it’s time to moisturize the skin. My go-to is Augustinus Bader’s The Cream.

2. Choose the right type of foundation: “It is best to stay away from powder formulas when choosing a foundation for textured skin—powder can settle into texture and actually make it appear worse,” says celebrity makeup artist Tamah Krinsky, whose clients include Alexa Chung and Sophie Turner. “When applying, it really all comes down to what the texture you are dealing with is—if you have a tendency towards dry patches or crepey skin, you would balance that with a moisturizing, dewy foundation. Alternatively, if you are dealing with acne or rashy skin, you may want to go with a more matte formula to lessen the texture.”

3. Add a Primer: Henney says after she finishes the skincare prep steps, she adds a primer. “I am loving Armani’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer. This is such a beautiful combo to apply before adding your preferred foundation,” she recommends.

4. Apply Lightly: Start with a small amount of foundation and slowly layer depending on how much coverage you need and where you need it—this way you’ll avoid “caking” your makeup on.

5. Use a Sponge to Blend: “I love to use a damp BeautyBlender to apply foundation, starting from the center of the face and blending outwards,” Henney says. “This will create the most natural, flawless base.”

6. Take care of your skin on the regular: Outside of applying makeup, Krinsky says it’s important to treat your skin daily. “How you prep your skin all depends on what you are dealing with in terms of texture. First and foremost, if you are dealing with overly dry or oily skin, recurring rashes, or recurring acne I would recommend you visit a dermatologist and not try to cover the skin with makeup,” she says. “Your skin is an organ and it is important to listen to what it is showing and telling you. More than anything I recommend we all make a healthy habit of cleansing, exfoliating (I recommend weekly), moisturizing, and using SPF daily. Let this be your morning and evening ritual, and a few minutes you use to take good care of yourself! Regardless of what you are dealing with in terms of your skin, those are the most important steps to staying balanced.”