To cake on makeup, to plaster one’s face; to plaster, to render (literal). Colloquial verb that functions on two very different levels. Literally, it is a standard construction or DIY term meaning to apply plaster or stucco to a wall. In everyday slang, however, it is used as a mocking, vivid metaphor for a woman applying an excessive, thick layer of cosmetics, foundation, or powder to her face (она полчаса штукатурилась — “she spent half an hour caking on her makeup”).
У стены стоит фифа мазливая, дублирует себя в зеркало и губы штукатурит.
A made-up bimbo is standing by the wall, admiring herself in the mirror and putting on lipstick.
(Анатолий П. Злобин, Рассказ на чай, 1998)
Входит Яна и, видя некоторую мою растерянность по поводу соотношения гламура на фотографиях и в жизни, говорит: извините, я сегодня без макияжа (вежливая, ветеранов уважает, называла до конца на «вы»). на фотках, конечно, она, но лицо — очень сильно наштукатурено и отфотошоплено.
Yana walks in and, seeing my confusion about the difference between glamour in photos and in real life, says: Sorry, I’m without makeup today (polite, respects veterans, addressed me formally until the end). In the photos, it’s definitely her, but her face is very heavily made up and photoshopped.
(Ветеран ВЛКСМ @ sextalk.ru, 04/2011)