Contouring has been all the rage – but there are those who love it, and those who just don’t have the patience and time to do it. I, for one, am the latter – but there are some within the Pamper team that swear by it.
We’ll like to know what everyone else thinks about it, but before we get there, let’s go into the basics of contouring and why it has become such a trend.
Read also: The Latest Asian Beauty Trend: Hangover Makeup
What is it?
Contouring uses the basics of science applied skilfully to the palette – your face – with make-up. It plays on the science of highlights and shadows, to create contours and dimension (or the illusion of them), to temporarily alter your appearance and natural face shape.
Why is it such a craze?
I’m not entirely sure – I definitely think this can work if you have a photoshoot or video shoot to attend, and you need to perhaps look your best. But why isn’t your natural self the best? Anyway, many love this because it helps them feel more confident and it gives them that reality of what they would prefer to look like. But, in all fairness, it does a great job at hiding our flaws.
The downside?
You need to be wearing a TON of liquid make-up, in various colours, and you need to know where to highlight and where to create a shadow effect in order for this to look good. Do it wrong, and well, let’s not go there (just google “contouring gone wrong” for what we mean).
This not only uses up a lot of your make-up product, but it takes a very long time. Not a look that you would want to achieve on a daily basis – so is this really even worth it? Isn’t the beauty of make-up to look like you aren’t wearing any and to highlight your best features?
The upside?
You’re getting that look you so badly crave for – be it higher cheekbones, a slimmer face, a slimmer nose, a more defined jawline. Think of it this way, you don’t have to spend too much money on facial surgery – this is a quick fix!
Conclusion
While it does offer an upside, in the long-term we think this could serve as a pretty unhealthy obsession. As long as your intent is clear and contouring is done with a defined purpose, contour away!
Else, we believe celebrating our natural beauty and using make-up to highlight our best features is still the best use of make-up. Be proud of your profound nose – some spend thousands just to get that high bridge nose – be proud of everything you are and use make-up to not only celebrate it, but to show the world that you are beautiful as you are.
Wouldn’t you want to look like yourself in photos? The worst thing would be for someone to look at that and say, “that doesn’t look like you – is that even you?”.
Read about “Why French Women Don’t Contour”.
But if you’re still set on joining in on this trend – then please make sure you do it right. Rely on YouTube and the internet for videos on how to contour, or go to a make-up expert for tips. Don’t try to do it on your own because this is a skill that mostly highly qualified professionals used in photoshoots, not for daily life.
That’s just our 2 cents, what do you think?
– Cover Image: stylecaster.com
