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!
Make Up Forever HD foundations are the bomb. The liner they used on you is also good. Doesn’t smudge.? Lasts the entire day too.
True! Those are also the products that I have here with me and I could never find anything better than them.
You’re definitely looking glam and fab with this makeup look. It’s worthy of the Hollywood red carpet.❤️
Wow you look really awesome with bold makeup, Hilary. It looks great on you probably because we’re so used to seeing you looking simple but still beautiful. I really admire your skin, it’s very flawless and it’s like you don’t even have pores. It’s very rare for American women who have perfect looking skin. Asians always have the best skin as far as I know. However, yours look really great. I know you only use natural products and it probably plays a big factor to how your skin looks.
You should have your lashes permed so you don’t have to wear false lashes everyday. ?
It’s hard to achieve a smokey eye look without looking like a raccoon. She’s talented.
You should do mroe make overs. It’s nice to change your look once in a while. How bout a new hair cut, Hilary?
Contouring is such a great trend. No thanks to Kim Kardashian but seriously, she made contouring feel like it’s a necessity. I love that it perfectly defines our features and completes our entire look in just a few strokes of a brush in the right places. Contouring made me feel a lot more beautiful because it enhances all the features that I like. It made me appreciate my face better. I love Make Up Forever especially their HD products. I haven’t used a product from them that didn’t work great.
Oh yeah, Kim K made the contouring trend trendy!
You are indeed a glam goddess. I would look like a granma if I did a 50’s look but you slayed it!?
I’m so stunned on how beautiful you are. What a great make over!
Make Up Forever is holy grail status. They have the best of the best foundations out there. Even Mac and Bobbi Brown can’t top them.