This is why women are soaking their fully made-up face in a bowl of water

At Project Vanity, we’re always on the lookout for and excited to try new makeup techniques so when we spotted this Korean makeup setting trend which originated from Japan, we just had to give it a go! Jamsu makeup or “diving” technique is somewhat similar to baking in that it utilizes (a whole lot of) powder to create a long-lasting smooth matte finish. It's called diving because to get that finish, you literally have to submerge your fully made-up face into a bowl of water! Sounds crazy? Absolutely. Does it actually work? Let’s see!

What you’ll need:

• Base makeup of your choice
• Loose setting powder or baby powder
• A large bowl filled with cold water
• Clean towel

Step 1: Apply your base makeup

I used the Happy Skin Don’t Get Mad Get Even Hydrating Liquid Foundation and went over some areas with the MAC Studio Fix Concealer and Laura Mercier Concealer. I’ve read that some people experienced having their face look whiter than usual after diving so I decided to avoid any brightening products except to counteract the darkness in my under eye area.

Step 2: Pile on the powder

Any loose powder can actually work here so I decided to try the cheapest option available: baby powder! If you want a more natural-looking finish though, grab a cheap, translucent setting powder so it doesn’t create a white cast. Coat your entire face, adding a little extra powder on areas where you get especially oily.

Step 3: Dive in!

Fill a large bowl that can comfortably fit your face with cold water. How long you should stay submerged depends on your skin type - 30 seconds is the usual recommendation but if you’re dry-skinned, don’t stay any longer than 15 seconds. Don’t forget to pull your hair back!

Step 4: Gently pat dry.

Right after diving, carefully pat away the water with a clean towel. Do it lightly so as not to remove too much of the powder or disturb your makeup.

Before and after diving

Step 5: Marvel at the results!

As I toweled off, I noticed a difference in my skin’s texture. It felt smoother but with a slight powdery finish. My face base stayed intact but now had a completely matte finish that didn’t look cakey or heavily powdered, for the most part. I had some dry patches where the powder clung to my skin a bit too much and looks uneven. I opted to simply proceed with the next step and figured it would even out when the base has had time to settle with my skin’s natural oils.

Step 6: Finish your makeup look.

I went on with my normal makeup routine for the brows and eyes, then applied some cheek and lip color. To really test the claims that the diving technique was enough to lock everything into place for the long haul, I didn’t add any more powder afterward or retouch my makeup for the rest of the day.

After seven hours of wear

The Verdict:

After seven hours of wear and zero touch-ups, I can now say that this crazy technique really works! I didn’t even feel the need to retouch my base, though I had finally started to get a little oily in the T-zone area. It’s honestly not such a great idea if you have dry skin, though. By the seventh hour of wear, my concealer had caked up and my laugh lines became more visible. For the most part, the finish looked and felt great but my dry areas seemed parched. If you have dry skin, make sure to moisturize really well (and allow it to be fully absorbed by your skin) before trying this technique and maybe cut diving time to 10 seconds instead.

What do you think of this unique makeup setting technique? Would you consider trying it out?