Finding the best makeup technique for your coloring and facial features can be a drag, especially with all the micro trends that keep popping up left and right online. It is becoming harder to find a routine that works.
Facial contrast isn’t a new concept; it just so happens that people are currently talking about it more after Alieenor, dubbed the contrast girlie on TikTok, shined a light on the topic. Makeup artists have been using this technique for centuries to create balanced and well-put-together looks. This guide will help you better understand high, low, and medium facial contrasts and know the best makeup technique for each.
Understanding your skin undertone is essential before determining the best makeup techniques for your facial contrast. You can easily find your color palette with AI. Now that you know if you have a cool (spring or winter) or a warm (fall or summer) undertone and know the best colors for your skin, you can move on to learn the best makeup technique for your facial contrast.
What is Contrast in Facial Features?
Contrast in facial features is the color contrast between your skin tone and other features, such as hair and eye color. Your facial contrast can affect how makeup colors can look on your face. There are three contrast levels: low, high, and medium.
- Low Contrast: A slight difference between skin tone, hair, and eye color. For example, someone with light skin, hair, and eye color has low contrast.
- High Contrast: A noticeable difference between skin tone, hair color, and eye color. Think of someone with dark hair and eyes paired with fair skin—this is high contrast.
- Medium Contrast: A balance between the two. If your hair and eyes are moderately darker or lighter than your skin but not dramatically so, you fall into this category.
Low-Contrast Faces: Soft and Natural Makeup
Having a low-contrast face means you have delicate features and require a look that is not overpowering to achieve a balanced outcome. You want to enhance your natural beauty with soft and subtle tones that complement your features.
Makeup Tips for Low-Contrast Faces:
- Base: Look for a lightweight, natural foundation that complements your skin tone. Avoid contouring, as it may look too harsh, but if you must contour, opt for a cool-tone powder contour with a soft finish.
- Eyeshadow: Stick to soft, neutral tones like taupe (cool), beige (neutral), and light browns (warm). These shades blend seamlessly with your natural features and won’t overpower your face. Add a silver (cool) or champagne (warm) shimmer for an ethereal look (avoid chunky glitters).
- Eyeliner & Mascara: To avoid stark contrasts, use brown (warm) or gray (cool) eyeliner instead of black. Brown mascara suits you better than black, but if you must use black mascara, apply a light coat and don’t overdo it.
- Blush: Choose a soft pink (cool) or peachy (warm) blush that gives your cheeks a gentle flush without looking too bold.
- Lip Color: Choose light pinks (cool), nudes (neutral), or peachy (warm) tones. A lip gloss or satin-finish lipstick adds a fresh, clean look.
High-Contrast Faces: Bold and Striking Makeup
If you have high-contrast features, your makeup should highlight this difference by taking the boldness up a notch. Solid colors and defined lines are easy to achieve, emphasizing the natural contrast and complementing your features. The brat trend was made for you.
Makeup Tips for High-Contrast Faces:
- Base: A matte foundation is ideal to even out your complexion, allowing your natural features to take center stage.
- Eyeshadow: You can go bolder with deeper shades like charcoal (cool), black (cool), burgundy (warm), or rich browns (warm). Smokey eyes are flattering on high-contrast faces. You can also add chunky glitter to your look.
- Eyeliner & Mascara: Don’t be afraid to use black eyeliner. Winged eyeliner or a bold line can highlight your eyes. A black volumizing mascara will suit you best and make your look more dramatic.
- Blush: A bold pink (blue undertones for cool, yellow undertone for warm) or deep berry (red undertone for warm, purple undertone for cool) blush defines your cheeks and balances the strong contrasts in your face.
- Lip Color: Red (blue undertone for cool, orange undertone for warm, true red for neutral), deep berry (red undertone for warm, purple undertone for cool), or plum (neutral) lipsticks will brighten your look. A lipstick with a matte or sating finish is the way to go.
Medium-Contrast Faces: Balanced and Versatile Makeup
Medium-contrast faces balance soft and bold, making them incredibly versatile. Depending on the occasion, you can experiment with various makeup looks, from subtle to dramatic.
Makeup Tips for Medium-Contrast Faces:
- Base: A medium-coverage foundation works best to even out skin tone while keeping a natural look. Using a light contour will add dimension and is adviced as long as you don’t overdo it.
- Eyeshadow: For a day look, choose medium tones like soft browns, mauves, or shimmery golds. For evening events, experiment with deeper shades like bronze (for warm) or plum (for cool).
- Eyeliner & Mascara: Depending on your desired intensity, you can use brown or black eyeliner. A medium-thick eyeliner and lengthening mascara will make your eyes pop.
- Blush: Opt for warm peach/coral (warm) or soft pink tones (cool). These shades add warmth to your face without overwhelming your features.
- Lip Color: Medium-contrast faces can wear nude and vibrant lip shades. Try rosy pinks, corals, or deep reds, and remember to choose a color that complements your skin’s undertones.
Understanding your contrast level helps you select the best makeup shades and techniques, whether you have low, medium, or high-contrast facial features. Low-contrast faces look best in soft, natural tones, high-contrast faces love bold, dramatic looks, and medium-contrast faces enjoy a universal range of options as long as you maintain balance.
Don’t forget to remove your makeup appropriately at the end of the day, and always consider the climate. Hot weather and humidity call for lightweight, long-lasting products that won’t melt or fade, especially for outdoor events and activities. Visit any V Perfumes store near you (or the website) for all your makeup needs, and maybe pick up your favorite fragrance while you’re at it.
