Baking Makeup: Achieving A Flawless, Natural Finish

Baking your makeup can be a great way to achieve a flawless, long-lasting, crease-free finish. However, it's important to do it right to avoid that dreaded cakey look. The technique involves applying a thick layer of setting powder on top of your foundation and concealer and letting it bake for 5-10 minutes. During this time, your body heat will help the powder absorb excess oil and set your makeup. To avoid a cakey finish, it's crucial to use the right products and apply them properly. Here are some tips to ensure your baked makeup looks flawless, not cakey:

Use a liquid foundation

Using a Liquid Foundation

Liquid foundation is recommended over other types of foundation when baking your makeup, as it minimises the risk of a cakey appearance. This is due to the way it bonds with the setting powder.

Preparing Your Skin

Before applying any makeup, it's important to start with a clean canvas. Wash your face using your normal cleanser and pat dry. If you have dry skin, apply a moisturiser and wait a few minutes for it to absorb. You can also apply a primer to your entire face, as this will help your makeup last longer.

Applying Liquid Foundation

There are several ways to apply liquid foundation: with a sponge, your fingers, or a foundation brush.

Sponge

Using a sponge will give you a dewy, sheer coverage look. First, dampen your sponge with water and squeeze out any excess. Then, pour a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand or a small dish. Dip the sponge into the foundation and gently press or dab it onto your skin, starting with your nose and cheeks and working outwards. Use the pointed tip of the sponge for the smaller areas of your face, like the creases of your nose or around your eyes.

Fingers

Applying foundation with your fingers is a simple way to achieve sheer to medium coverage. Make sure your hands are clean, then pump out a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand and warm it on your skin. Lightly press and blend the foundation onto your face, starting with your T-zone and blending outwards. Repeat this process until you've achieved your desired level of coverage.

Foundation Brush

Using a foundation brush can help you achieve anything from sheer to full coverage. Choose a brush with synthetic bristles to prevent the bristles from absorbing the product. Dip the brush into the foundation or apply the foundation directly to your skin, then blend it out in circular motions until it looks even.

Setting Your Foundation

Wait 2-3 minutes for your foundation to dry, then blot your face gently with a tissue if needed. You can then apply other makeup products, such as concealer, before setting your foundation with a translucent finishing powder. This will help your makeup last all day and give you a flawless finish.

Apply a thick layer of concealer

To achieve a flawless, crease-free finish, it is essential to apply a thick layer of concealer before baking your makeup. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Start by choosing the right concealer. Opt for a creamy, medium to full-coverage concealer that is no more than one to two shades lighter than your foundation. This will help to conceal dark circles and other imperfections effectively without creating a white circle around the eye area.

Next, apply your chosen concealer to the desired areas, focusing mainly on the under-eye area. Use a clean finger or a brush to gently tap and blend the product, ensuring it is distributed evenly and avoiding any caking.

Once you are happy with the coverage, it's time to move on to the baking process. Apply a generous amount of loose setting powder or translucent powder to the areas where you have applied concealer, especially the under-eye area. You can use a brush or a damp makeup sponge for this step. Be sure to press and blend the powder well, paying extra attention to the inner and outer corners of the eyes.

At this point, you can also choose to bake other areas of your face, such as your chin, T-zone, and the sides of your nose, to enhance your contour.

The crucial step in baking is to let the powder set for at least five to ten minutes. During this time, the warmth of your face will help to "bake" the powder, creating a flawless, creaseless finish. You can use this time to work on your eye makeup, brows, or lipstick.

Finally, use a fluffy brush to gently sweep away any excess powder, revealing a bright and smooth complexion.

And there you have it! You've successfully applied a thick layer of concealer and baked your makeup for a long-lasting, flawless finish.

Moisturise your skin

Moisturising your skin is the first step to achieving a smooth and crease-free finish when baking your makeup. A well-hydrated base is especially important because the baking process involves applying lots of powder to the under-eye area.

Start by applying a primer to your entire face, choosing one that is full of skin-hydrating ingredients. Next, apply an eye cream around the eyes, as this area is prone to dryness and puffiness. Let the eye cream absorb into the skin.

You can also layer on a hydrating eye cream before you start putting on your makeup. This is a good idea if you have dry skin, as it will help to avoid a crepe-y under-eye. Try a product like BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal C Eye Perfector, First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream, or Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40.

Once you've applied your skincare and treatments, and they've been absorbed, you can move on to the next step of applying foundation.

Use a setting spray

Setting spray is an essential step in the baking process. After you've applied your eye cream, foundation, concealer, and loose powder, it's time to lock in your makeup with a setting spray.

To start, wet a wedge-shaped makeup sponge with setting spray. Then, dip the sponge into your chosen loose powder. Stamp the product generously over the areas where you applied concealer. If you're baking your nose contour, you can also apply powder to the sides of your nose. You can also use powder under the cheekbones to make your cheek contour sharper.

The key to successful baking is to pack on the powder. If you look like you've rolled your face in flour, you're doing it right! Leave the powder on for 5 to 10 minutes so that it has time to absorb excess oil and "bake" the makeup underneath. This is a great time to work on another feature, like your eye makeup or lips.

Once the timer goes off, use a large, fluffy brush to gently sweep the powder off your skin. The result should be a silky-smooth, bright complexion.

Using a setting spray is crucial to ensuring your makeup stays put without creasing or caking. It helps to melt all the powder into your skin, giving you a more natural finish. It also locks your makeup in place and sets it into your skin.

Dust off excess powder

Dusting off excess powder is the final step of the baking process. Once you've applied a thick layer of powder to your face and let it bake for 5-10 minutes, it's time to dust off the excess. This can be done with a fluffy makeup brush or the same brush you used to apply the powder. Sweep the brush gently across your face to remove any remaining powder, revealing a flawless, airbrushed finish.

It is important to note that the longer you let the powder bake, the better the results. The warmth of your face will help to "melt" the powder in place, creating a creaseless and long-lasting result. However, be cautious not to let the powder bake for too long, as it can lead to an unwanted outcome. The ideal baking time is usually around 5-10 minutes.

When dusting off the excess powder, use gentle strokes to avoid removing too much product. You can always add more powder if needed and mist your face lightly with a facial spray to help the powder adhere more easily. Additionally, be sure to use a light hand when applying the powder initially, as using too much powder can result in a cakey appearance.

The key to successfully baking your makeup without looking cakey lies in the application and the amount of powder used. By using the appropriate amount of powder and allowing it to bake for the right amount of time, you can achieve a flawless and crease-free finish. Remember to dust off any excess powder gently to maintain the desired look.

Frequently asked questions