If your makeup often looks cakey, patchy or heavy by the afternoon, your skin is trying to tell you something. Most people blame their foundation, but in many cases, the real issue starts with the skin underneath. At Brightside Esthetics in Huntington Beach, we help clients create a smooth, hydrated base that allows makeup to blend seamlessly. In this guide, you will learn the most common reasons makeup looks cakey and the skincare steps and treatments that make the biggest difference.

If you have ever heard that steam “opens your pores” or cold water “closes them,” you are not alone. These ideas show up everywhere online, yet they are not how skin actually works. At Brightside Esthetics in Huntington Beach, we teach clients the real science behind pores and what truly helps reduce their appearance. In this guide, you will learn what pores can and cannot do and the safest ways to achieve smoother, more refined-looking skin.