This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada, which closed in 2021.

Makeup Baking: The Latest Must-Try BeautyTrend

How To 'Bake' Your Makeup

First there was contouring, then strobing and now, just when you thought applying makeup couldn't get any more complicated, another makeup trend in making waves on social media -- baking.

No, we don’t mean literally popping your palettes, foundations or concealers into the oven. Baking (or cooking) is a technique that uses your own body heat to help set your base makeup to establish a smooth, crease-less and pore-less complexion, and to highlight certain facial features like cheekbones or jawlines.

The technique has been used in the drag community for some time to help set heavy stage makeup and make it last longer. And now the technique is catching on and is even used by the likes of Kim Kardashian and her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic.

So what exactly does makeup baking entail? Fortunately, it's simpler than you may expect.

1. Apply your moisturizer, eye cream, primer, foundation and a full coverage cream concealer as per usual.

2. Using a dampened sponge or brush, dust on a heavy coat of a loose pale powder in the areas you want to bake or highlight (including cheekbones, jawline, forehead, chin or the bridge of your nose). Leave the powder for at least 10 minutes (up to 30 minutes if you have the time), allowing the heat from your face to "bake" and absorb the concealer and foundation.

3. Dust off and blend the excess powder using a brush, and voila! You have a perfectly baked and even complexion.

4. Contour or apply the rest of your makeup as you usually would.

A video posted by Denise (@makeupbydenise) on

Though baking can help you achieve an even complexion, it can also leave your face looking and feeling a little dry (especially if you have a drier or mature complexion), makeup artists Wayne Goss and Elisa Flowers explained to Refinery29. They recommend using the technique sparingly. And if you do find your face looks a little on the powdery or dry side after baking, spritz with a setting spray for a dewier complexion.

Learn how to bake your makeup like the pros by watching Australian makeup artist and beauty blogger Heidi Hamoud use the technique in the video above.

Happy baking!

Also on HuffPost

Joan Smalls

Great Celebrity Makeup

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.