Foundation Prep: Zero Cake

If your makeup cracks by lunchtime, don’t drag your foundation — drag your prep. Cooler temps + tighter skin = patchy, cakey base. Skipping hydration because you’re oily? Or avoiding moisturizer because you think it’ll “pill”? That’s rookie logic. A smooth canvas starts with skin that’s actually ready. Here’s how to fix it before your first swipe of foundation.

Smooth, Photo-Ready Base

If your foundation is going on patchy, swap your primer. The Smashbox Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer melts over fine lines, blurs pores, and creates a barrier so foundation glides instead of clinging. The gel-texture feels featherlight, but the smooth finish = serious grip all day.

Price: ~$34
Availability: Saks Fifth Avenue / Sephora

Dewy Cushion That Habits in All Weather

(Full matte is a trap. A touch of dew keeps your skin alive under makeup.) The Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream still hits that sweet spot — bouncy moisturizer that layers beautifully under makeup, keeping skin plump so the base doesn’t sink into dry spots.

Price: $39
Availability: Sephora

Grip without the grit

Silicone primers that feel like Teflon? Toss them. The Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer actually earns its hype — aloe and hyaluronic acid hydrate while the tacky finish grips foundation like a pro. Translation: your makeup lasts, your skin stays soft, and you’re not fighting flakes by 3 p.m. Sticky? Yes. In the best possible way.

Price: $38
Availability: Sephora

Oil control with backup

Shine and sweat don’t stand a chance. The Carpe Mattifying Face Primer with SPF 30 is a mineral sunscreen that doubles as a makeup primer. It blots oil, grips foundation, and keeps your T-zone from going full disco ball by noon. Wear it solo on no-makeup days or under foundation when you need long-lasting control without the chalky cast.

Price: $29.95
Availability: Amazon

Bottom line

If your foundation’s cracking, the problem isn’t the makeup — it’s the prep. Hydrate, cushion, and grip before you even think about applying base, and suddenly everything sits smoother. The right skin prep saves you from the cake, every time.