Baking. Nope, there are no cookies, cakes, or blunts involved. Baking is the new/old makeup technique that’s being thrown around, because, clearly, strobing is sooo yesterday *hair flip*. It’s new for the general public, but it’s been a technique used by drag queens and other stage performers for a solid chunk of time.

The concept of baking allows for your concealer to appear more opaque and, primarily, stay put way longer than if you didn’t “bake.” The claim is that if you wake and bake, you’ll look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ’til cocktails (or your Netflix binge after a long day).

You begin by applying on your concealer to your undereye area (or anywhere else for that matter). Gently pat it in, and blend it out with a brush or your fingers. Whatever you normally do. Then, you use a makeup sponge to cake on pressed powder. That powder can be tinted to your skin tone or white/clear. This process involves using a lot of powder, though, so it’s way easier (allegedly) if you use pressed powder.

Pack that stuff on to the point where you look ridiculous. (Note: You should not plan to go in public or have anyone “special” around when baking. You will, I repeat, WILL get made fun of. Judge-y, bastards). Let is sit for several minutes, even up to 20 minutes. Once you’re done baking, use a clean makeup brush to wipe away all the excess powder, and SHABAM! Concealer that’ll last through the apocalypse.

Problem: It definitely looks dry and will typically cake up as time goes on. If you have any creases, lines, or wrinkles under your eyes, baking is not for you. If you like the natural look, baking is not for you. If you rub your eyes a lot, baking is not for you… and makeup in general is going to be tough for you, eye-rubbers, but I digress.

gif courtesy of memeguy.com

So it’s probably best if you save the baking for the kitchen, ladies & gents. Now I’m gonna go whip up some brownies!