7 Pics Of Cakey Celeb Makeup That Never Should've Been Taken

Being a celebrity in the spotlight isn't always easy. They always have to look ready for the cameras, and their beauty game has to be on point, which means applying makeup so that it looks good both on and off-camera. Makeup artists everywhere know that there's a fine line between the two, and a heavy-handed application can spell disaster. As someone who's worked behind the scenes on runways, television sets, and photoshoots for more than a decade, I can firmly attest to that.

Celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Nicki Minaj may think that more is better when it comes to red-carpet looks, but with the high-definition technology these days, it's so easy to pick up every single detail. That includes caked-on products, especially when the cameras go in for a close-up. Looking at A-listers captured in real life is far different from perusing their social media pics that have been highly Facetuned to blur out any flaws, and several stars have unfortunately been caught with way too much makeup on their faces.

A full face of makeup is expected at the Met Gala, and Nicki Minaj, who's had a striking face transformation throughout the years, showed up at the 2025 event decked out with smokey eyes and loads of contour. Underneath the makeup, it was apparent that the "Anaconda" singer didn't hold back on her base, as it appeared super thick and patchy. I know that she's not one for a natural look, but the skin should always look like a smoother, slightly enhanced version of itself. If you can clearly see the makeup, it needs to be toned down by several steps.

Of all the MAGA women, Kimberly Guilfoyle has the worst case of "Mar-a-Lago face," and her heavy makeup applications aren't helping. No matter what time of day it is, she always packs on the products, favoring thick lashes, smokey eyes, and full-coverage foundation. This was the look Guilfoyle unsurprisingly went for at the Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show in January, and she looked anything but haute couture. Adding to the caked-on makeup were her overdrawn lips that looked stretched to oblivion. If you thought the United States ambassador to Greece's speeches were loud, her makeup will prove you otherwise.

There were many times Jennifer Lopez went makeup-free and looked flawless, which is why there was no need for her to overdo it with her makeup at the 2026 Golden Globes. For one, the bronzer on J.Lo's forehead was way too low and headed straight to the tops of her brows. Additionally, it needed serious blending, as you could see a clear line from where the color ended. When your bronzer starts looking like a visor, it's time to grab a makeup wipe and start over.

During the early 2000s, high-definition makeup was on the rise to keep up with the new technology, and that included setting powder that contained silica. Unfortunately, that ingredient caused flashback from cameras, resulting in a chalky face that wasn't visible to the naked eye. This happened to Drew Barrymore at the "Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle" London premiere, and you could clearly see that it looked like she dipped her face into a vat of white powder. Barrymore could have prevented that by applying the product sparingly and blending it really well with a brush.

In 2017, Ashley Tisdale showed up to the Season 8 premiere of "The Walking Dead" with goth makeup that had her resembling an extra from the series. The pale foundation looked spackled on, and the matte finish only enhanced how much product she had on. What's more, the "High School Musical" actor chose a flat maroon lipstick without so much as a hint of sheen. Matte makeup is very hard to pull off, and if you're going to lean into that aesthetic, you have to be very precise, as it's super unforgiving, which Tisdale likely learned that day.

As a "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star, Teresa Giudice is all about the drama, and that pertains to her makeup as well. She frequently favors a super-bronzed look, heavy foundation, and overdrawn lips, which was her aesthetic while attending a 2025 "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" event. Giudice's features were hidden underneath all the spackle she had on, and her coloring looked unnatural from the dark spray tan. While this is her go-to look during filming, photos show so much more detail, especially when close up, so the Bravolebrity should go for a more natural look on the red carpet.

Around the mid-aughts, Kim Kardashian was a big fan of the baking makeup technique, which consisted of applying a thick coat of loose powder underneath the eyes to help set the concealer. It seemed she wasn't over the trend in 2022 when she showed up to the LACMA Art + Film Gala sporting a heavily powdered face that highlighted every pore and imperfection. With the lack of contour and highlight, Kardashian's skin looked dull, especially with the matte nude lipstick and brown eyeshadow. A creamier foundation and a bit of shimmer would have livened up the SKIMS founder's visage.