For those who have never learned how to do every step of a full makeup routine, where to start in learning can be difficult to figure out. With dozens of products and hundreds of brands to choose from, it can be stressful to invest time and money into things that might not work out. Luckily, French makeup artist, Aliénor, has brought a strategy to everyone’s attention that is a foolproof way of improving your final look: Contrast Makeup.
What is Contrast Makeup
Contrast Makeup is a method of choosing and applying products that is based on your own physical appearance. Since the product selection and application rely on the unique attributes of each individual, Contrast Makeup is more transferable between people than other makeup methods. According to Aliénor, people are either high, medium or low contrast.
High contrast: the tone of your skin, eyes and hair all varies drastically.
Medium contrast: the tone of your skin, eyes and hair varies but not drastically.
Low contrast: the tone of your skin, eyes and hair are all similar.
If you are unsure what your contrast level is, try looking at yourself on your phone with a black and white filter. Aliénor also uses a TikTok filter in several videos on her profile while explaining contrast level. You can also refer to your celebrity lookalikes that Aliénor or other articles have identified for an idea of what your contrast level is.
Selecting Your Makeup Based on Your Contrast Level
For people with high contrast, Aliénor suggests making bold choices in your makeup looks. Since individuals with high contrast have more stark features, a darker lip or darker eye would look best. For lips, Aliénor says, “red is your best friend.”
Aliénor notices that people with medium contrast faces can sometimes look a bit blank because of the minimal difference between the tones of their hair and skin. She suggests adding more blush and a good lipstick; it doesn’t have to be totally saturated, but a bit more intense than your natural skin tone.
Through the Contrast Makeup theory, people with low contrast should go for the classic no-makeup-makeup look. Since low contrast is the softest level of the three, the soft no-makeup-makeup look would suit a low contrast individual the best: a nude eyeshadow, a little bit of blush and minimal highlight can go a long way.
If you want to change up your look or are searching for a place to start with makeup, try discovering your contrast level and seeing if Aliénor’s theory works for you!
Tag VALLEY in your new Contrast Level makeup look on Instagram @VALLEYmag!
