Baking your makeup is probably the only way you’re going to get through a hot and humid day looking like that flawless snapchat filter. If you work long hours, live in humid weather or plan to party all night, a little bit of baking goes a long way! The drag community has used the method for years to keep all of their makeup intact through all the performances. Here’s everything you need to know about baking.
What is baking?
Baking your makeup involves applying excess powder on “problem” areas like your T-zone, chin and your under eye to lock in the makeup. It helps your makeup stay in place all day without breaking down, getting oily and creasing. Much like the actual baking concept, you basically cook your makeup until it sets. Kim Kardashian swears by it too!
What does baking do?
Baking your makeup will keep it matte, oil-free and creaseless all day. You can bake to highlight under your eyes and give your face a gorgeous poreless appearance. You can also bake under your contour to give your contour that added definition, take cue from Kim again.
See those bright poreless under eyes and defined contour? BAKING!
So now that we’ve convinced you that Baking your makeup is just as important as applying it, here’s everything else you need to know.
How do you bake your makeup?
Use a damp sponge or a powder brush and dip it into loose powder generously. If you’re using a damp sponge, dab the powder on your preferred areas and let it sit there for 1-5 minutes. Take a large fluffy brush and dust off excess powder and use it to set the rest of your face. That’s it. Airbrushed perfection.
What is the best baking powder?
Not all loose powders are made for baking. If you’re trying to avoid that white cast under your eyes, stay away from “HD” powders. Remember Angelina Jolie’s under eyes a few years ago? Yep, that! Baking gone wrong. You want to use powders that have zero flashback in photography so your makeup can look flawless in the sunlight or under flash photography. Here are some of the best baking powders you can buy!
1. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (Rs 2,803)
A makeup artists’ favourite the world over, this loose powder has been used for years on and off runways to perfect your makeup and keep it in place all day long.
2. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder (Rs 3,080)
A new entrant to the world of baking, makeup maven Huda Beauty’s baking powders feature a collection of baking powders in 8 different shades that work across all skin tones. Coming from Instagram’s largest makeup influencer, close your eyes and buy this one!
3. M.A.C Studio Fix Perfecting Powder (Rs 2,300)
Another makeup artist’s fave this loose powder from M.A.C’s studio fix range will melt into your skin locking in all of your makeup!
4. Makeup Revolution Luxury Powder Banana (Rs 850)
A yellow toned powder that’s perfect for Indian skin, this banana powder from Makeup Revolution will brighten your under eye area and lock in all of your makeup without looking white in photos. This works particularly well if you have a yellow undertone to your skin, it disappears into your skin!
5. Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder (Rs 3,350)
A personal favourite, this loose powder feels like air being dusted on your skin. It compliments the Bobbi Brown range of foundations PERFECTLY!
6. RCMA No Colour Powder (Rs 1,175)
Don’t be fooled by the salt shaker appearance, this loose powder is worth dealing with that terrible packaging! It’s a lightweight finely milled powder that disappears into skin leaving behind no trace. I’d pick this one over the Laura Mercier, to be honest.
Bam! Baked and brushed to perfection. Have a nice day, cupcake!