It sounds bizarre. Yup. And a little daunting. But it's not new. It's been around for quite a while. And we have the drag community to thank for this hack.
We've experimented with a number of TikTok hacks in 2021. From circling the area around our eyes with a dollop of concealer to eliminate eye-bags to contouring our face with strokes of blush, bronzer, and concealer instead of foundation, we've refined our makeup game through fool-proof techniques off the internet. And it's time to reel in 2022 with a passion for trial-and-error once again.
Because a lot of us struggle with smudged, worn-out makeup halfway through our night-outs, we've found a hack that enhances the longevity of our base. And it's pretty straightforward. All you have to do is bake your makeup…
Yeah. We were a little sceptical in the beginning as well. But if the queens of drag swear by it, there's no questioning the hack.
- What does baking your makeup even mean?
- Do you really need to bake your makeup?
- How do you bake your makeup the right way?
What does baking your makeup even mean?
Image Courtesy: @zimbio
It sounds a little complicated. But it isn't. It's a technique that the queens of drag employ to increase the staying power of their makeup. And it works. This is why we're borrowing this hack from the community.
This technique requires you to coat your face with a thick layer of translucent setting powder once you're done with your base makeup — foundation and concealer. You let the powder sit on your face for about 5 minutes before wiping off the excess product. And...done! That's how simple it is.
The temperature of your body causes the liquid formulas you've slathered onto your face to evaporate. When you trap these formulas with powder, it creates an oven-like effect that leads to quicker evaporation of the liquids. And as your body produces sweat or oil throughout the day, the areas you've baked will rehydrate instantly, and look neutral. Now you understand why it's called 'baking'.
Do you really need to bake your makeup?
Image Courtesy: @vogueindia
If you're not one to layer your face with too much concealer or foundation, this isn't for you. If you struggle with dry skin, wrinkles, or lines, you might want to avoid this hack. The powder might accentuate their appearance, and intensify the dryness of your skin. But if you wear a lot of makeup, and want your foundation to stay crease-free, smudge-free, and sweat-free, baking can come in handy. This step comes in after your foundation and concealer.
You must pat a light powder on your skin for effective results. Don't try substituting the powder with a mineral foundation or HD powder. These don't quite translate on the skin in the same way as a finely milled powder. You want your makeup to look seamless - not cakey or overdone.
How do you bake your makeup the right way?
Image Courtesy: @vogueindia
All you have to do is set the powder with a damp makeup sponge. And use a brush to remove any excess product after.
This one's perfect for oily skin. Just look for a powder that is light, and doesn't contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Start by layering your face with a hydrating eye cream to minimise the appearance of lines, creases, and wrinkles. Apply foundation. And proceed to dab a concealer like the Lakmé Primer and Matte Liquid Concealer on areas where the formula moves around a lot. Apart from concealing the eyes, go on to pat some of the product onto red shiny bumps. Blend it all in with a damp sponge. Pack in a thick layer of setting powder with a damp wedge-shaped sponge, and let it sit on the concealer-laden parts for 5-10 minutes before brushing off the residual product. And that's it! Now you can move on to the next steps of your routine without having to worry about touch-ups.
Image Courtesy: @zimbio
Written by Urvi Shah on Feb 08, 2022
A professional writer by day, and a poet by night, I'm a journalism graduate with experience in the news, travel, and food sectors. A frantic compiler of excerpts from books I've read, you can count on me to incorporate quotes and phrases into everyday conversations without a warning. On days I'm not working, I station myself in front of my laptop, and try to work my way through month-old drafts of my writings.