I am a guy using makeup and failing at it

Hi, I'm not ashamed of admitting the fact i am a straight guy who occasionally uses makeup to help me through those days when i get acne.

Recently ive been using the Dermablend Corrective Stick Foundation to hide the bit of redness I have going on. It does work, but unfortunately

it sometimes creates this flaky look around a spot despite me applying moisturizer. I discovered that i should use a primer, but i have also discovered the bb cream as well. I tried applying moisturizer primer then dermablend stick then setting powder but i still get the flakiness around spots, ive also tried moisturizer bb cream then dermablend stick and setting powder but still same.

I'm not sure how you women do it, ive seen women with huge cystic acne and still manage to cover it up pretty well and all i've got is couple spots that arent even cystic. Is it the brush im using maybe? Im currently using this https://www.garden.co.uk/make-up-skin-care/make-up-brushes/profi-blusher-brush.html Maybe its the way i apply it? The way i apply it is after the moisturizer and everything, i roll bit of dermablend stick on my cheek then put two fingers on the actual brush and rub it in a downwards motion then apply setting powder and after that i get the flaky look.

I need one of you makeup pros to guide me :blush:

By the way the products are:

Moisturizer: http://www.olay.co.uk/skin-care-products/olayessentials/Essentials-Double-Action-Day-Cream?pid=5000174070354

Primer: http://www.smashbox.co.uk/product/6038/18505/Face/Primer/COLOR-CORRECTING-PRIMER-ADJUST/index.tmpl

BB cream: http://www.smashbox.co.uk/product/12048/21835/Essentials/SMASHBOX-CAMERA-READY-BB-CREAM-SPF-35/New/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-ShoppingFeed-_-Essentials-_-SMASHBOXCAMERAREADYBBCREAMSPF35&77tadunit=b92211fb&77tadvert=26937551732&77tkeyword=&77tentrytype=s&77tentry=shopping_feed_ppc&gclid=CKaE0paF6L4CFSrpwgodXjgAQQ

Dermablend stick: https://www.garden.co.uk/dermablend-corrective-stick-4-5g.html? utm_source=Dermablend&utm_medium=Buyonline&utm_campaign=directlinkstick

Setting powder: https://www.garden.co.uk/make-up-skin-care/dermablend/dermablend-loose-setting-powder-28g.html?utm_source=Dermablend&utm_medium=Buyonline&utm_campaign=directlinksetting

You need to pick up a concealer  and a concealer brush. It's a thin little brush that can get the concealer in the exact spot you need it. Or you can just take the Dermablend stick and put it over the full face foundation as a concealer, but the brush may be the trick to just covering the spots you need to cover. 

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/F68_Pin_Point_Concealer_p/f68.htm

If you are getting flaky moisturize, let that sink in, prime, then apply the foundation. The brush you are using is a blush brush and you might get better coverage with one made for foundation like this one.

http://www.target.com/p/sonia-kashuk-kashuk-tools-synthetic-foundation-brush-no-05/-/A-10329626

It's probably just the product you're using. I have a Maybelline stick foundation that always makes my skin look flaky, no matter what other products I use with/under it. And I generally have oily skin that doesn't look flaky or dry at all, but when I put that on, I look scaly and awful. I'd recommend a liquid concealer, personally. I have more luck with those not highlighting the dry skin around zits.

lyncaf said:

It's probably just the product you're using. I have a Maybelline stick foundation that always makes my skin look flaky, no matter what other products I use with/under it. And I generally have oily skin that doesn't look flaky or dry at all, but when I put that on, I look scaly and awful. I'd recommend a liquid concealer, personally. I have more luck with those not highlighting the dry skin around zits.

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Any recommendations for the liquid concealer?

even though I have oily skin, I needed to ensure that I used a face moisturizer that was suited for my oily skin before putting on any concealer.

I use Mac Studio Tech if I need a full face coverage, and for troublesome spots, I use Mac Studio Finish SPF 35 concealer. I then top it off with a HD powder (translucent) so that it dampens the shine. I also use a brush for spot treatments.

I never had luck with liquid concealers(foundations) because they slide off my face - I do better with cream ones.

Unknown said:

Any recommendations for the liquid concealer?

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Personally, I like the Maybelline SuperStay 24 Concealer, especially set with a little powder. You might have to try a few options out - buy them somewhere with a good return policy. I don't have good recommendations for a higher end or cream concealer, personally, since the Maybelline one works fine for me. I agree with the recommendations to use a small brush and make sure to just apply it directly to the red spot. I usually just blend by patting it with my finger.

If you can find a perfect match for your skin, I really like Kat Von D foundation used as a concealer. The pump will push out too much product so I store the extra in a small Sephora sample container. I take a small concealer brush a dot the foundation on the blemish then shear out the edges with a Sigma P84(or something similar). Then add more to the center of the blemish if it's still visible. It drys quickly and unless you're extremely oily you won't need to set it. I don't find it moves or cakes, but only for spot areas, as a foundation it's too hard to blend out and look too fake. Good luck

It seems like you are using too many products for what you are describing as your problem. A bit of concealer applied with a concealer brush like this one http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Award%20Winners_Secret%20Camouflage%20Brush_prod220113

should do the trick. Take very, VERY small amount of concealer on the brush and apply with the lightest hand you can imagine. Start in the middle of the blemish and feather outwards. It will disappear. If you choose a cream, long wear concealer it should last throughout the day. I like this palette http://www.makeupforever.com/us/en-us/make-up/face/concealer/5-camouflage-cream-palette

The green looks weird, but if you apply a tiny amounts, it erases the redness like magic. Good luck..less is more!

I second what the others have said before.

But I think another thing to think about is the pre-makeup routine. I realized that if I use an exfoliating cleanser in the morning, my foundation will tend to look kind of patchy. But if I use a non-exfoliating/non-drying cleanser, apply acne medication, and moisturize immediately after then it looks much better. I let the moisturizer set for a couple of minutes and then I use primer. However, for other people, using an exfoliating cleanser in the morning works better for them.

Regarding application, dabbing motions rather than spreading the product around also helps. You can also consider trying a sponge (I use the one by Real Techniques) to dab the BB cream or foundation on first. It will lead to lighter coverage, but you can go over areas that aren't adequately covered again with concealer.

Regarding brushes, a small concealer brush should be good. I don't know what price-range you're thinking of, but the elf Studio Line (has black handles and bristles) is decent if you don't want to spend too much money on brushes. You linked UK sites in your post, but I think elf is available there (and so is Real Techniques) for a reasonable price.

I also remember seeing this tutorial a while ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGAXHDnlMpU and I think it might be helpful.

Good luck!