I’ve seen this is a common question over the years but wanted to get a fresh/modern (lol late 2023) take on it. Wondering specifically on everyone’s technique and holy grail products (the concealer and whatever you use to apply it or prep it)
Backstory is: I’m trying to get more serious about makeup (currently really bad at it tbh), and I’d really like to ‘perfect’ my concealer strategy! I mainly use it for eyes/undereyes. My problem is it always looks so ‘cakey’ on my skin. How can I fix this?

I’ve tried a variety of products, including lately from Kosas (liquid), Merit (cream), and Givenchy (liquid). I really liked them all, but I can’t help but notice applying any of them makes my skin look worse, texture-wise, and really amplifies the appearance of every fine detail around my eyes (dots on my skin, wrinkles, etc.). Even right after I exfoliated the night before, or use eye cream immediately before to prep the area.

Is this normal? Is there a way to fix this? I don’t notice this cakiness in other people who are excellent at makeup, so I feel like there must be some secrets out there on how to make it look good! TIA everyone