Don’t get me wrong, some modern foundation formulas look pretty close to real skin. Still, that luminous complexion you work so hard to achieve might fall short under a thick layer of foundation, even if the formula claims to have a glowy or dewy finish. 

Give less foundation a shot by only applying it to areas you want to enhance and buffing it out to blend. The same goes for concealer—less is more, so your real skin can shine through. If you’d like to mask breakouts, dark spots, or other skin concerns, simply choose a formula that boasts coverage as opposed to slathering on more product. Loading on layers of product can easily make you look cakey.

Or consider mixing a pump of your foundation with a face lotion or primer to create a DIY skin tint. This will likely blend easier, provide some coverage but not as much, and give your skin an extra dose of hydration.