Hide your imperfections with these simple makeup tricks.
When it comes to using makeup to obtain a sleeker look, beauty experts say subtle contouring — the art of sculpting your face with cosmetics — is key. I love using Kevyn Aucoin’s sculpting powder for fair and medium-toned skin, and Covergirl’s dark bronzer for darker tones,” says makeup artist and beauty blogger Kim White. “Apply the contour high in the hollows of the cheekbone. One mistake I see all too often is that the bronzer or powder is placed too low under the cheekbone to be effective.”
To add definition, soak up the sun without going under the rays. Celebrity makeup artist Julie Hewett, who has worked with actress Jessica Biel, believes a sun-kissed look is key to sculpting your face. “(Add) a bronzer under the jawline and the hollows of your cheeks,” she explains. “The color has to be subtle and matte with no red.”
Distraction can be an effective technique when you want people to focus on your best features. Hewett is a big fan of bold red lipstick made with natural oils, which nourishes lips, preventing dryness and wrinkles. Red lipstick can brighten your face and, like a little black dress, it never goes out of style.
To give your body a more sculpted look, celebrity makeup artist Lucy Baldock, who has worked with singer Kylie Minogue, recommends adding a hint of sparkle with shimmer oil by applying it on legs, décolletage and stomach. You can also look for bronzer that has a touch of shimmer.
The Duchess of Cambridge may have one of the world’s most desirable noses, but celebrity stylist and makeup artist LeAura Luciano insists you don’t have to get rhinoplasty to channel Kate. “Apply a bronzer or highlighter that is a couple of shades darker than your skin in a straight line down the sides of the nose, from the eyes to the tip,” she says. “Gently blend the makeup in, but make sure the bridge is defined so it looks as though it is narrower."
“To create more defined cheekbones, use a bronzer or highlighter in a diagonal horizontal line just under each cheekbone,” says Luciano. Don’t forget to blend to avoid streaks.
Fearing a double chin? Luciano, who has worked with actress Zoe Saldana, advises mastering a simple a contouring trick to hide an unwanted droop. “Sweep bronzer under your jaw line to make the area appear to recede,” explains Luciano. “As a general rule, light makeup colors highlight an area, calling attention to it and making it appear more prominent."
Kim Kardashian is a fan of sexy smoky eyes and it’s easy to see why. A darker hue can create the illusion of a shadow and diminishing droopy lids that can make the face appear rounder and older.
Every celebrity knows the value of good lighting. “Bringing light to the center of the face allows extra pounds to sink into the background,” explains White. “Try using a highlighter or brightener in the corners of the eyes, down the bridge of the nose and a tiny bit in the cupid’s bow of the lips to draw the eyes to those areas. Concentrating pops of color on the apples of the cheek will also direct the eye to the center of the face.”
Give some focus to your eyebrows. Pamela Jeschonek, owner of Pennsylvania-based Everyday Esthetics Eyebrow Studio, believes Fergie masters this trick best by sporting a high arch, softening her naturally wide features. “If you have a rounder face, a high eyebrow arch can make your face look slimmer,” explains Jeschonek. “A high arch adds length to the face, so this can help to give a wide or round face the illusion of being a bit narrower.” Avoid brows that are too far apart, which can widen your nose. Instead, add a little extra color with an eyebrow pencil just above the highest peak of your arch for an instant lift.
Want to look slimmer in seconds? Bianca Posterli, editorial director of Glam Media, recommends mastering three rules: contour, blush and highlight. “Pucker your lips and brush contouring powder directly under your cheekbones,” she explains. “Then, smile and lightly brush blush across your cheekbones to create definition. Start on the apple of your cheek and brush back. Finally, use highlighter to finish the look above the blush. Top it all off with a light, quick brush up with the opposite side of the brush.” Don’t forget to play up your eyes with some quick mascara and eyeliner.