The world of beauty never fails to surprise me. One day, we’re raving about colored eyeliners and strobing; today, we’re going nuts over holographic makeup and foiled everything.
If I had to trim all the crazy beauty things we’ve had this year, I’ll have to mention these three, notable tricks that got me thinking “WTF” to actually considering trying them out for myself.
#1 Baking
I know—this makeup trick has been here for years (thanks to the drag community’s ingenious ways) but I feel the need to insert it here given the boom in baking this 2016. For those out of the loop, “baking” or “cooking” is a neat way of letting translucent powder sit on your face for five to 10 minutes. Now, why you ask?
The pseudo-science behind it says that the heat from your face sets the base foundation and concealer. Dust it off when the time’s up, and you get a creaseless, flawless finish. It’s an extra beauty oomph sent from the heavens.
Makeup artists, beauty bloggers, and YouTubers swear by this method. One even went as far as using baking flour. Baking flour. Now that’s dedication.
#2 Diving
This year’s all about stranger things (hah, pun intended) and it isn’t strange until we talk about “diving.” No, it’s not the thing you do when you’re near a 15-feet-deep swimming pool. It’s the beauty trick you do when you have leftover baby powder and a bowl of water in front of you.
Koreans are some of beauty’s most forward thinkers and it’s no surprise to know this came from them. (Though a source tells me it was initiated by a Japanese blogger.) The trick is an alternative way of setting makeup, albeit a messier, wetter one. It’s supposed to make you look poreless, amazingly matte, and even-toned.
First, cleanse and prep with primer, foundation, and concealer. Then powder your palms and pat them on your face generously. Then the (not so) fun part: Have your powdered face dive into a bowl of cool water and hold it there for not more than 30 seconds. Retreat, pat your face dry, and proceed with the rest of your makeup routine.
#3 Press-on Makeup
Rejoice all ye lazy ones! Someone heard your pleas and made press-on makeup. Yes, no more steady hands required because all you need to do is pat a kit on your lids (like this one from Color On Pro), eyebrows, and whatnot for a supposedly precise finish. Well, that is if you know how to put it.
It may look easy but since these things come in a uniform pattern that may or may not complement your eye shape or other facial features, the success rate might be pretty low.
Do you know other crazy beauty tricks that happened this year? Let me know and maybe, just maybe, let’s try it out soon.