What is “baking” in makeup? | Finder
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What is “baking” in makeup?

Want a flawless base like Kim Kardashian? These are all the reasons why you should try "baking" your makeup.

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Marina Tatas
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Image: Pinterest

Contouring, highlighting and strobing have been tried and tested by everyone. Now, allow us to introduce you to a new makeup technique.

Baking involves a beauty sponge, a brush and a whole lot of loose powder. The aim behind "baking" your makeup is to create a pore-less base that is set to last for hours and hours. If you love to rock a super bright and flawless under-eye then you need to try this.

This beauty technique was made famous by Kim Kardashian and her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic. While they didn't create it, they certainly made it more widely known and used by everyday people.

What is it? And how to "bake" your under-eye area

Listen up makeup beginners because "baking" your face can be achieved by anyone.

What you need:

  • A beauty sponge
  • A fluffy powder brush that is suitable for the under-eye area
  • A loose powder that is translucent or in a shade a few lighter than your skin tone. The idea is that it needs to brighten
  1. Start off by applying your under-eye concealer as you normally would.
  2. The most important step in baking is timing. As soon as you finish blending out your concealer, use your beauty sponge to pick up the loose powder and pack it on directly onto the under-eye. The reason why timing is important? You can't leave a lot of time in between the blend of liquid and application of powder. There needs to be no time for creases to settle in, because if you bake over the top of creases, those under-eye creases will remain.
  3. Baking is essentially locking everything in. This is really amplified when you leave on the "bake" for 10 minutes or so, then brush off the excess with a fluffy powder brush. Use a light hand when doing this to make sure you don't disturb the baking that is going on underneath.

If you are in a hurry, I personally like to do a half-effort of baking. It allows me to get the full coverage and long wear, but just not at its maximum effect. Apply the loose powder as you would with the sponge, but only leave it on for between 30 seconds and 1 minute. During this time, I like to move on to another step of my makeup routine like my eyebrows and then come back to the baking and dust off the excess powder.

Baking inspiration pictures

Image: Instagram user heidimoustafa

Image: Instagram user kimkardashian

Image: Pinterest

Do I need to prep my skin?

Baking can look heavy and cakey if the skin is not thoroughly prepped. It's best to moisturise the under-eye area with a light cream that will intensely hydrate the skin.

Can I bake anywhere else?

Of course you can! I personally love to bake under my cheekbones to really highlight and emphasise the contour I created. Baking also works great around nose creases and laugh lines to prevent the foundation base from breaking up in these areas.

Is it okay to "bake" every day?

We don't recommend baking every day. The skin around your eyes is very delicate and should be treated with care. Packing on copious amounts of powder and leaving it there to sit is not the right technique for an everyday basis.

Save the baking for when you need your makeup to last a long time. This means when you are going out for a long night of dancing or if you know there is going to be a lot of photos taken. Baking helps your makeup last longer, looks great in photographs and creates a flawless base for the rest of your makeup.

Products we love to use when baking:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Setting Powder

Sephora

View details
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Cult Beauty

View details

Where to buy loose powder for baking

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