The Ultimate Buzzfeed Guide To Baking Your Makeup

Baking your makeup is a technique popularized by drag queens that involves applying a thick layer of setting or translucent powder to your face, letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then dusting off the excess powder to reveal a flawless, crease-free finish. This method helps to set your makeup, making it last longer and reducing shine, and can be especially useful for those with oily skin or who want a more dramatic, matte look. While it may seem intimidating, with the right tools and techniques, anyone can achieve a perfectly baked face.

How to apply a base before baking

Baking your makeup is a great way to ensure your makeup stays put all day long. It is a technique that originated in the drag community, and it involves applying a thick layer of powder to your base makeup and letting it sit for around 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, your body heat will help to set your foundation and concealer, and the powder will absorb any excess oil.

To apply a base before baking, start by prepping your skin with your regular skincare routine. This includes applying eye cream, moisturizer, primer, or any other products you usually use. Let these products absorb into your skin, and then move on to the next step, which is applying foundation.

Choose a liquid foundation that matches your skin tone and provides the coverage you desire. Using a damp makeup sponge or a foundation brush, blend the foundation all over your face in circular motions until it is evenly distributed and you are happy with the coverage.

The next step is to apply concealer, which is a crucial step in the baking process. Apply a thick layer of liquid concealer under your eyes and blend it out with a damp makeup sponge or your clean finger. You can also apply concealer to other areas of your face where you want to brighten or cover imperfections. The concealer should be well blended and crease-free before moving on to the next step.

After you have applied your foundation and concealer, it's time to set your base with a light dusting of translucent powder. This step will help to set your makeup and prepare it for the baking process. Use a fluffy powder brush to apply a light layer of powder all over the areas where you applied concealer.

Now you are ready to begin the baking process!

The best setting powders for baking

Baking your makeup involves applying a setting or translucent powder to areas of the face that tend to crease over time. After applying the powder, let it bake for five to ten minutes and then dust off the remaining product for a flawless, crease-free finish.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder

This setting powder is available in pink and yellow shades for different undertones. It contains brightening, pink-toned pigments that can help disguise under-eye circles. It has a subtle brightening effect and a dreamy rose scent. The light and silky formula is enriched with vitamin E, making it less likely to dry out or become cakey.

W7 Banana Dreams Loose Powder

This finely-milled, pale yellow-toned loose powder sets makeup, camouflages undertones, and highlights. It is suitable for most skin tones and is available at a pocket-friendly price.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

This setting powder has a feather-light texture that hides fine lines and imperfections, giving an airbrushed look. The formula is oil-free, making it ideal for oily and combination skin types. It is long-lasting and provides a soft-matte finish without feeling heavy.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder

This loose powder contains optical blurring pigments in a light-reflecting formula that airbrushes away imperfections, creating a soft-focus finish. It is jet-milled, ensuring a smooth application and a pleasant feel on the skin.

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder

This universal translucent powder subtly diffuses pores, giving a beautifully matte finish. It has a silky texture and is completely undetectable on all skin tones, even in humid weather conditions.

Too Faced Born This Way Setting Powder

This universal setting powder brightens dull complexions and provides a radiant and luminous finish. It contains hyaluronic acid and coconut water, offering a punch of hydration for smooth, healthy, and glowing skin.

The tools you need to bake your makeup

Baking your makeup is a setting powder technique that gained popularity within the drag community. It gives your makeup a long-lasting, crease-free, poreless, and airbrushed finish. The process involves letting a thick layer of powder set on the skin before brushing away the excess powder. Here is a list of tools you will need to bake your makeup:

Setting Powder:

Look for a setting powder that is finely milled so that it blends and melts more seamlessly with your makeup. Tone is crucial, so opt for a powder with different shades that complement your skin tone. Avoid powders that are too light, yellow, or peach in color, and try to find a powder that is closest to your skin tone or maybe one shade lighter.

Eye Cream:

Before applying makeup, ensure the skin around your eyes is smooth and moisturized, as you will be applying a lot of powder to that area. Apply a hydrating eye cream to plump up the area beneath your eyes and help minimize fine lines.

Foundation:

Baking involves layering one product on top of another to achieve a flawless finish, so the first layer of makeup that touches your skin is essential. Opt for a liquid foundation to even out your complexion.

Concealer:

A liquid concealer will minimize dark circles and imperfections and set the stage for baking. Choose a full-coverage liquid option that is two shades lighter than your skin tone.

Makeup Sponge:

A damp makeup sponge will help you apply your foundation, concealer, and powder evenly. It is also the main tool for the baking process.

Fluffy Makeup Brush:

A fluffy powder brush is key to sweeping away the excess powder after you're done baking.

Setting Spray:

To ensure your makeup stays put without creasing or caking, finish with a setting spray to bring some life and glow back to the skin.

How to brush off excess powder

Now for the moment of truth: it's time to dust off the excess powder and reveal your flawless finish. But how exactly do you do that?

First, make sure you've given the powder enough time to bake. Depending on your desired level of coverage, this could be anywhere from three to ten minutes. Once the powder has had a chance to work its magic, grab your fluffy brush. A soft, fluffy brush will give you more control and precision when removing the excess powder.

Next, use short, flicking motions to sweep away the powder. Start with the areas you want to look less defined, such as the nasolabial fold, chin, and forehead. Then, move on to the areas underneath your cheekbones and under your eyes. You can also try swirling your brush in a pressed powder foundation first, then dusting away the powder on your face to add extra coverage while blending.

And that's it! You're now a baking pro, with a flawless, crease-free finish that will last all day.

How to bake your makeup for oily skin

Baking your makeup is a great way to achieve a flawless, crease-proof, sweat-proof finish, especially if you have oily skin. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bake your makeup for oily skin:

Step 1: Prime and Prep Your Skin

Start by cleansing your skin to remove any dirt, oil, and debris. Then, apply a lightweight moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Choose a moisturizer that is oil-free, mattifying, and shine-reducing. You can also apply eye cream to ensure the under-eye area is well-hydrated, which is crucial for avoiding dry, crepey skin.

Step 2: Apply Foundation

After your skincare and treatments have been absorbed, apply your foundation. Choose a foundation with a matte finish, as these are designed to combat shine. Apply a thin layer of foundation all over your face and blend it in a circular motion until you're happy with the coverage.

Step 3: Apply Concealer

Apply a thick layer of liquid concealer under your eyes and blend it with a damp makeup sponge. You can also apply concealer to other areas of your face if desired. The concealer should be two shades lighter than your skin tone. Creamier, medium to full-coverage concealers work well under a heavy coat of loose powder.

Step 4: Apply Translucent Powder

Using a fluffy powder brush, dust a light layer of translucent powder over the areas where you applied concealer. This will set your makeup and prepare it for the baking process.

Step 5: Bake Your Makeup

Now, it's time to bake! Wet a wedge-shaped makeup sponge with setting spray, then dip it into the translucent powder. Stamp the powder generously over the areas where you applied concealer. You want to pack on a thick layer of powder so that it can absorb excess oil and "bake" the makeup underneath. Leave the powder on for 5-10 minutes. During this time, you can work on your eye makeup, eyebrows, or any other steps in your routine.

Step 6: Dust Off Excess Powder

Once the powder has had enough time to bake, use a fluffy powder brush to gently sweep away the excess powder. You can also use the same brush you used to apply the powder and smooth it out. If you feel you need to add more powder, you can mist your face lightly with a facial spray before reapplying.

And that's it! You're now a pro at baking your makeup for oily skin. Enjoy your flawless, crease-free finish!

Frequently asked questions