We all know what a pressed powder is – it’s your every day powder cosmetic; whether that be a blush, bronzer, highlighter, foundation, or eyeshadow. Recently however, “baked” powder cosmetics have been having a moment – so what’s the difference, and what does it mean?
The key difference between pressed and baked products is that baked powders are actually creams that have been baked slowly in a specialist oven until they are dry; whereas a pressed powder is made by mixing loose ingredients with a binder and pressing it into a mould.
Speaking with Cosmetics Business, Barry M chief chemist Agnieszka Brala explained the full process:
“1. Powder/pearls are mixed in a milling vessel. A liquid binder is sprayed onto the mixed powders and the bulk is blended and pulverised again.
2. The mixture of powder and binder is combined with a solvent and mixed again to form a slurry. The solvent must be a volatile substance and easily removable from the finished product.
3. The next step is a process of dosing slurry in the godets. Godets need to be made from material resistant to high temperature, because at the end of the production process they need to be dried in the oven.
4. Drying is the last step in the production process. It is ideally achieved by heating, but other methods of drying, such as ambient temperature air drying, can also be used. The semi-finished product is placed in an oven. In most cases the temperature of drying should not exceed 50°C.”
While more time consuming and often resulting in a higher price point, the reason many brands may choose the baking process is because it gives the powders different effects, from silky matte powders to extreme metallic and sparkly finishes or a marbled effect, unattainable using pressed technology.
Baked products also tend to have a softer, more velvety texture, and can be used dry or wet.
TRY: Nutrimetics Marbleyes Eyeshadow, SAVVY Mineral Baked Bronzer, INIKA Organic Baked Mineral Bronzer, Models Prefer Soft Touch Baked Trio, The Body Shop Baked Bronzer, Natio Mineral Baked Eyeshadow Trio, Bourjois Little Round Blush Pot, ulta3 Signature Essentials - Sunkissed Bronzer, COVERGIRL TruBlend Bronzer, Max Factor Créme Puff Blush.
