NOTE: This article originally appears in Fresh Vancouver magazine on page 28 of the December 2011 issue. Download the original article PDF by clicking on the right (7.16mb), or read the entire article below.
Ever wonder what je ne sais quoi a model possesses that sets her apart from the rest of us? Besides the obvious — being thin and tall — a well balanced facial structure and shape represent beauty to the eye. In general, an oval face shape and well defined cheekbones are two of the aspects we subconsciously perceive as beautiful. Cheekbones give the face three- dimensional shape. Strong cheekbones catch the light, creating both highlight and shadow, which further exaggerates this dimension. So what are those of us who are not naturally sculpted to do? Read on: here’s how to take ten pounds off your face instantly, and bring out the super model visage in you!
Makeup has some incredible uses. lt can be used to make you look thinner with just a few products and a little know-how, with results so amazing they’re sure to become a part of your daily makeup regimen. This technique need not be used only to create a thinner-looking face; anyone, anytime can use it to create beautiful, enviable, sculpted cheekbones. it’s a must, whether you want day makeup or glamorous evening makeup. It brings out your best qualities, while helping hide the parts of your face you may not want to draw attention to.
SHADE AND CONTOUR
The theory behind the technique is knowing the high and low points on the face, and understanding where to shade (contour) and where to counter shade (highlight) for optimal effect. Your products can be in either powder or cream form. You will need a colour palette of three shades;
- A darker, skin—tuned contouring product such as a bronzer, a few shades darker than your own skin tone. I like MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in medium to medium dark or NARS Cream Stick in St. Barts. Avoid using Frosts or shimmer; your contouring product should be matte.
- A flattering blush colour such as NARS Orgasm. Your blush can be matte or can have a little bit of shimmer.
- A highlight colour such as pale yellow, off-white or pale pink. Try MAC Pearl Frost or NARS Copacabana. Again, matte or shimmer is Fine.
Darker makeup colours recede and diminish the areas where they are applied. Lighter makeup colours highlight and bring the area forward. Highlighting with a shimmer will further emphasize a light area, The do-all brush for this application is MAC’s wonderful #129.
THIN IN MINUTES
A thinner-looking face can be achieved by shading the outer areas of your face (around the hair line, near the ears and jaw line) about an inch wide and then blending inward. lmagine a perfect oval superimposed over your face. Apply your foundation and then apply your contour colour to the outside of your face, following that oval shaping.
To contour your cheekbones, apply the darker shade starting from the middle of your ear and ending underneath your cheek. Don’t go past the outer corner of the eyes. This is applied below the cheekbones even if they are not apparent. Apply blush above this contour makeup, and on the apples of the cheeks. which will add colour. Finish with the highlight colour, above the blush, on top of the highest point of the cheekbones.
To minimize a double chin, apply the contour colour along the jaw line and blend it down, towards your neck. This creates depth and helps to strengthen the jaw line. You should also include a little of this contour colour onto your neck and down to your shirt line to avoid a “mask” look.
QUICK SLIMMING
Here are a few more slimming tricks for the face that you can apply along with your fabulous makeup:
- Apply more dramatic eye makeup to help draw the attention to your eyes.
- For a quick, slimming hair style, wear your hair up and off your face. Pull your tresses into a ponytail high on the back of your head, and slightly tease at the crown to bring out your bone structure.