While I’m a seasoned pro when it comes to applying eyeshadow (I learned a few things back in my modeling days), I am definitely still a newbie to the world of contouring — which is actually kind of crazy, considering how much more a little contouring can do to emphasize your strong points and change the way you look for the better. I also wear very minimal makeup usually, so a refresher on how to create a full-faced glam look was definitely in order.
For someone who loves the natural look, and is always pressed for time, contouring has become my magic secret, thanks to the tutorial I got from Make Up For Ever. With just a few strokes of bronzer and maybe a little blush and highlighter, I can make myself not only look much prettier (especially in photos), but still look completely natural, as if I wasn’t wearing makeup at all — in about 2 minutes flat. Brilliant!
I’m sure you’ve already heard of the super-famous makeup brand called Make Up For Ever. Their Director of Artistry, Lijha Stewart recently taught me a few new tricks for my beauty arsenal. Specifically, she showed me the best ways to contour, while giving me a “modern Grace Kelly” look. The end result was pretty glamorous, if I do say so myself!
Here’s a fun little video they put together of my transformation from a plain Jane to glam starlet:
Here’s a quick rundown of what they taught me:
1. Foundation doesn’t have to look obvious. You can put a lightweight foundation all over your face or just on certain spots (which is what I normally do) …but that’s a bit more risky and could end up looking blotchy, so if you’re going to be on a red carpet, make sure to check yourself in natural light and take a quick selfie to see if it shows up on film before you go out. Make sure you match the color exactly to your chest so your face doesn’t look like a different color than your body.
2. Contouring can subtly modify your face shape and nobody will know. All you have to do is use some contouring powder or bronzer with brush-strokes from the middle of your ear to the side of your mouth, and from the outside of your eye in a half-circle to the top of your head. See the video for more details on that.
3. A great brow and false eyelashes can make a huge difference. Seeing is believing. My straight eyelashes were given major Oomph! with false lashes, and my brows were filled in with brow pencil (but eyeshadow applied with a small angle brush works just as well).
4. Shiny lips and flush cheeks are uber sexy. Try a few to find the perfect shade that looks natural on you. The result? Va-va-voom!
I honestly thought that they cut your hair short back there! ?
Women like you look very classic. Which is why even with this 50’s look, you’re still as stunning as ever. I love that foundation on you as well, it suits your skin tone perfectly. It’s a high coverage foundation but it looks very flawless on you. Please wear more red lipstick too! You do look like a glam goddess.❤️ Hope to see more of your make overs too. I always see you as a very simple and classy lady. That brand has made your features look stunning and more defined.
You really look gorgeous in red. I think that of all the colors I’ve seen you wear, red looks the best on you.
That woman is talented in makeup. I love how she didn’t make your smokey eye look dirty looking. It’s really hard to cop that kind of look without looking like you have a black eye. She made you look really glamorous and ready for a date night! All the products she used are Makeup Forever, right? I’m definitely going to buy their face and body foundation. I also love that most of their makeup is HD, which basically means that it will look good in photos and on cam.
False eyelashes look so good on you. I never knew you had such beautiful eyes.
That was a good make over. You look like a hollywood star now.??
Actually, nicely shaped and defined brows can define your overall look because it frames your face. If I was to choose one makeup product that I can’t live without, it’s the brow products. Messy looking brows or undefined ones make your overall makeup seem unpolished and I don’t like that. As painful as it may sound, you really need a full face of makeup even if you’re going for the no makeup makeup look. If you’re looking for glam, you better be ready to spend more than 30 minutes in front of your mirror.
Falsies make your eyes pop beautifully. I just hate that I still can’t master how to put it on!!
I felt like I cringed when they didn’t curl the lashes first before applying mascara.
Lijha Stewart is good. Make Up Forever is amazing ?
Well, if they didn’t do good, they wouldn’t be representing Make Up Forever.