Baking 101 with Perfect Setting Powder

Baking makeup is all about creating a flawless-looking complexion.

In makeup, “baking” is a technique for budge-proof foundation, concealer, contour, and highlight. It’s called “baking” because it uses the skin’s natural warmth skin to “bake” setting powder into base makeup, making it stay put for a very long time.

Baking is also a way to help added color, like eyeshadow, lay down evenly and firmly on skin. The technique was first pioneered in drag and burlesque communities, and sometimes the pros do an extreme version with strong lights—or even a blow dryer—to add extra heat.

The benefits of baking are stay-put makeup, an even skin tone, and better visibility on high-definition formats like digital video. (That’s why beauty v-loggers love it so much!) But without practice, the right moisturizer and a quality setting powder that blends easily, baking can leave a caky finish and even dry out skin.

Baking 101:

1. Apply foundation and concealer - try Power Play Foundation for a modern-matte finish.
2. Layer a thick coat of powder on areas that you want to look brighter. Our favorite spots to bake? Try under your eye, along the top of your jawbone, and down the center of your nose.
3. Let the powder sit for 2-3 minutes.
4. Once it's "set," dust it away with a Powder Brush and you're ready to go!

PRO TIP: Bake with Perfect Setting Powder for a finish that's crease-less, smooth and 100% talc-free. Watch the video above or read through the below to see how it's done.