I Try the Viral Contrast Makeup Trend to See if it Really Can Elevate My Look
Main image – Courtesy of writer
Contrast Makeup is the latest TikTok trend making rounds in the world of online beauty, but what is it and how does it work?
Popularised (with views in the millions), by French makeup artist and expert Aliénor (@Alieenor), it relates to the contrast in ‘value’ between your skin tone, hair, eyes and eyebrows and how to best marry your features for a flawless, flattering look.
Aliénor believes that a low contrast, more cohesive look is the goal, balancing your face with no specific feature being the focal point. Her greyscale TikTok filter helps to identify your level of contrast and her many advice laden videos suggest tips and tweaks for a more unified overall look.
@alieenor My favourite glow up tip is playing with contrast to get more confidence ? #contrastlevel #mediumcontrast #highcontrast #emmawatson ? son original – Alieenor ?
But I wanted to find out whether it really could make a difference, or it’s just another TikTok trend that’s passing through. Read on as I ask Charlie Riddle, Global Director of Creative Artistry for Stila, and Anushka Patel, head of et al. makeup, how to get the best out of the trend, and also try it for myself.
But first up, a bit about what “low”, “medium” and “high” contrast actually mean.
Low contrast
Lauren’s filter results using a low contrast. Image – Courtesy of writer
For a low contrast look your features such as skin, hair, eyes and brows will all fit within a certain tone, marry together cohesively and ‘match’ your complexion.
No singular feature will ‘pop’, which according to Aliénor means your look will be flattering, consistent and effortlessly ‘ethereal’. Because the ‘value’ is very low between features, she suggests using minimal makeup with a flattering monochromatic palette, to emphasise the harmony of your look.
Riddle notes that with makeup application for this, ‘a very subtle contrast just looking to enhance the features while keeping a very natural look’ works well. Think a sweep of bronze, a subtle flush of natural blush or a tonal lip gloss that simply perfects your pout without drawing specific attention to your mouth.
@alieenor Réponse à @Kelly the ultimate glow up tip is choosing makeup as a way to show yourself, rather than seeing thz malzup first, and the face second. #contrast #contrastlevels #lowcontrastmakeup #lowcontrast #colorseasonanalysis #softfeatures #nomakeupmakeup #ellefanning ? son original – Alieenor ?
Celebrity examples of low contrast
Gigi Hadid
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Lupitoa Nyong’o
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Rihanna
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Medium contrast
Lauren tries a medium contrast filter. Image – Courtesy of writer
Medium contrast unsurprisingly differs slightly from low due to the prominence of one or more features, perhaps your hair is lighter than your skin tone or your eyes darker than the rest of your face.
Aliénor’s top tip for a mesmerising medium contrast is to incorporate a subtle smoky eye, a bit of blush and a slick of lip product to tie your look together.
She notes that you want to add a bit of intensity to match the contrast of your features, but not so much to overpower them. A clever application of colour can unify your features, muting some areas and bringing other elements to life for a more cohesive finish.
Riddle notes that as a rule medium contrast is a ‘more moderate intensity of colour’ because you can still play with some ‘contrasting colours, but often in less intense shades’ than you would in a high contrast look.
You can sweep a pop of pink on the apples of your cheeks and match that with a sleek rose pout if that harmonises your features. Or you can soften the brightness of your hair with complimentary colours on your eyes and brows to really pull everything together.
@alieenor Feel free to use this sound to recreate a medium contrast look ! #mediumcontrast #contrastmakeup #contrastlevel #contrastfilter #makeuptutorial ? How to do a medium contrast makeup – Alieenor ?
Celebrity examples of medium contrast
Sadie Sink
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Zendaya
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Emma Watson
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High contrast
Lauren trying the high contrast filter. Image – Courtesy of writer
If you’re high contrast, that means there is a large difference in value between your features. Something will probably naturally stand out, be that your hair, eyes or skin tone.
If you’re very fair with dark hair for example, the focus will probably initially be on your locks, as it’s fundamentally a visual battle between the most prominent blocks of colour. Aliénor suggests in this case you can be bold with your makeup choices.
A strong lip or a pigmented eye look can help to balance attention throughout your face for a softer overall appearance.
@alieenor Réponse à @Ashleyvdk The best way you can feel like yourself when wearing makeup is understanding your contrast level #contrastlevel #highcontrast #annehathaway #maralafontan #inestazi #monicabellucci #highcontrastmakeup #darkhair #contrast #colorseasonanalysis @Mara Lafontan @INES TAZI ? son original – Alieenor ?
Celebrity examples of high contrast
Anne Hathaway
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Beyonce
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Megan Fox
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My own results
I tried the infamous filter myself and after a little bit of doubt and dabbling I think I fit best into the low contrast category.
@livethatglowLive That Glow contributor Lauren Wigley tried contrast makeup to see whether it really can make a difference.? original sound – Livethatglow
I have lighter eyes, lighter skin but naturally soft brown hair and brows which adds a touch of contrast. However, I am a lover of fake tan and I regularly get some face framing highlights which diffuses my overall contrast ‘value’ to low rather than medium.
A top tip for using the filter is to be makeup free and in good lighting so you get an accurate read on your skin and hair.
Image – Courtesy of writer
These days I tend to reach for brown eyeliner and mascara, warm honey shadows, a subtle blush and a shimmery sweep of bronze, but when I have had experimented with darker or coloured hair in the past, I would fill in my brows more boldly and default to a red or berry lip, so I can see how colour theory plays its part.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Patel understands how following the contrast beauty theory can have its perks for harmonising a look but she also notes that ‘one of the best things about makeup is how it allows freedom of expression and experimentation’, so whilst she loves that trends like this give people ideas, one of her firm beliefs as an MUA is that ‘you should do your makeup how you like it and allow it to make you feel your best’.
The takeaway
As someone who loves experimenting with makeup and beauty in general, (I have tried pink, blue and even green hair, not to mention every lip colour under the sun), it’s important to note that Aliénor is giving this advice so that people can look like the ‘best version’ of themselves following colour theory, not like someone who is obviously ‘wearing makeup’.
Makeup is an art at the end of the day and as Anushka points out, ‘it comes off and you can try something else’.
However, if you’re stuck in a rut and you constantly feel as though your everyday look just isn’t cutting it, subscribing loosely to a prescriptive idea like this can help you build up your basics and be in tune with your tones before you branch out to bigger and bolder things.
Get Glowing!
