Do you want to nail the matte makeup look? Follow these foolproof tips to keep the cake-face at bay.

After years of dewy skin, balmy highlighters and glossy lips trending on our Instagram feeds, matte makeup is slowly slipping back into the spotlight. But it’s not the cakey, pore-clogging matte of the past. Luckily, the 2025 version of matte makeup is more about refining your complexion than masking it with heavy foundation and powder. This season, the focus is on smooth texture, light coverage, seamless blending and staying power that doesn’t come with a side of creasing. If you are planning on going matte again, this guide will help you achieve a flawless look, without falling into the cakey trap. 

Prep your skin for a smooth base

If you want to master the art of matte makeup and keep those dry patches away, skin prep is non-negotiable. Start with a lightweight hydrating serum, like our Matte Serum, followed by a nourishing, non-greasy moisturizer like Skin Defence Fluid to create a hydrated base. And don’t forget the primer. Opt for pore-blurring, silicone-free primers that contain skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide or peptides. These will help your makeup glide on smoothly without the slippery silicone layer that can cause foundation to separate. If you are using a mattifying primer, apply it only on your T-zone and chin, leaving the rest of the face more naturally textured for dimension.

Pick the right foundation

Matte makeup 2.0 is all about a finish that looks like skin, but better. So, ditch your full-coverage, flat-finish foundations and look for formulas that offer buildable coverage without looking cakey. If you want to achieve a flawless, matte complexion, pay attention to the application method. Instead of covering your face with foundation, start with a small amount in the center of the face and blend outward with a damp sponge. This would give you a smooth, airbrushed finish. 

Conceal strategically

The days of the triangle under-eye highlight are past us. While applying concealer, you need to adopt a "less is more" approach. Instead of piling on product everywhere, use a fine-tipped concealer brush to spot-conceal the areas that reallyneed coverage, such as dark spots, redness around your nose or the inner corners of under-eyes where shadows lurk. To avoid the chalky look, pick a concealer closer to your foundation shade rather than going lighter. When applying, pat gently with fingers or a fluffy brush to melt the product into your base makeup instead of layering it on top. This targeted concealing technique provides the necessary coverage while allowing your skin to breathe.

Perfect the powder technique

While baking was a crucial step in the 2010s, matte makeup 2.0 is all about a selective setting approach. Instead of dusting translucent powder all over your face, use a fluffy brush to press it into the areas prone to excessive shine–usually the forehead, nose and chin. Instead of dragging powder across the skin, which can disturb the foundation underneath and cause patchiness, use light pressing motions while setting your makeup. To avoid the cakey look, opt for mattifying setting sprays or blotting papers that protect your base without adding additional layers of product.

Add dimension to your face

Matte makeup, if not done correctly, can look flat. To avoid this, add subtle shape and warmth with cream-based bronzers and blushes that dry down matte. These formulas blend easily and melt into the skin, creating a soft dimension without shine. Finish your look with a spritz of setting spray to help everything blend together and get rid of powderiness. If you want to instantly freshen up your makeup, you can try our Detox Mist. This last step guarantees that your matte makeup lasts all day without separating or settling into lines.