Highlighting and Contouring

Apr 9, 2014

Alma M.

Great Thread! I Absolutely agree with you my friend and the lines get crossed when it comes to the information or finish of the techniques of contour and Highlight. So many believe it to be something that should be seen but in fact it isn't the case and when one realizes that a Capuchin Monkey or Bearded lady look is Not what Contour or Highlight is, it will be the day Makeup has come back to reality of it's Beauty of finish and skill.So many have to understand you have it already you just build around it with a subtle touch. :)

Apr 9, 2014

Traci L.

Thanks for all the great info

Apr 9, 2014

Marleen B.

ITA! I see the same "enthusiasm" with overly arched and drawn on & filled in brows & this "cut crease" I've also been seeing a lot of lately. I do appreciate the skill & precision of these techniques but like you said, I think these are stage, editorial or runway looks and are not looks that were intended for the masses. Although, there will always be those artistic folks out that will rock that extreme artifice with style & confidence. And confidence is always beautiful.

Apr 9, 2014

Yaya B.

Can you show a good vs bad example of it (pic)

Apr 9, 2014

Kitty K.

Love it!
And Alma.. just last night I was watching a novela with my mom... I can see what you mean about the 'reverse Capuchin Monkey' effect.. The undereye concealer was a good 4 shades lighter for underneath the eyes. I started laughing silly and my mom had no idea what I meant until I pointed it out.

Apr 9, 2014

Shelley W.

Great post!! I had my daughter read it as well since she worked a gig over the weekend where another makeup artist was present who was doing a very obvious contour on a young woman. My daughter also did a contour on her client but it nothing like the other artist. This artist had the nerve to critique Maya's work in front of both clients saying that it wasn't obvious. It was so hard for me to keep my mouth shut and not step in the defend my daughter but she held her own ground citing that its not meant to be obvious. When this grown adult kept pushing on with snide remarks my 14 year old told her;"My work will get me further along in my career. I don't mask faces I enhance the faces." That shut her up real quick.

I was just blown away by the amount of time my kid spent perfecting the skin before she went in with everything else. I felt bad for the other young woman because she looked like a mask. The contouring was done with a bronzer and don't get me started with the highlighting.

My daughter showed her portfolio of work to a regional monthly lifestyle magazine editor and she was had mentioned how seeing Maya's work is breath of fresh air as the portfolios she has been seeing is full of work found popular on IG and YTube (heavy contouring and eye work). My daughter is completed self-taught and it stemmed from taking art classes at the community college where she learned about mixing pigments, shading and working with various mediums such as oils, chalk, watercolors and pencils. I think if an budding mua is wanting to really get into their craft just taking ONE art class would be a huge benefit.

Apr 9, 2014

Kitty K.

I agree Shelley, as a graphic artist I have seen how much art goes hand in hand with make up. The rules are very similar and the technique is so similar. I love your daughters mentality :)

Apr 9, 2014

Alma M.

I could understand you laughing at that Kitty I catch myself doing that to when watching VH1 shows lol..Shelley I agree art is similar. I like to say Makeup is Art but even a painter has to sell paintings,it needs to still catch the eye to sell. I think your daughter is on the right track that is a mind of an Artist :) keep pushing the true art of it all.The makeup application skill is lost in translation with some people and everything is just the same lately. I'm always stuck on how so many don't notice the good in a application finish but they're quick to notice bright colors on a bad eye shadow application and that gets praise.

Apr 9, 2014

Shelley W.

She's trying very hard Jackie. She is set to go to Japan this summer to take a series of art classes and shadow her step-dad in the cosmetic lab. I try to pull her away from it sometimes so she can be a kid and do kids stuff but she is determined. I can't wait till she turns 16...between taking her to volleyball games/practice and MU gigs this mama is beat.lol.

Apr 9, 2014

Nikelle B.

Thanks so much for this!
I've actually never tried either but do appreciate all of the info that you and Alma provide

Apr 9, 2014

Patricia P.

Yes!! Many ppl think the contour lines need to be seen and obvious

Apr 10, 2014

Tina K.

What great information here! Thank you! @Shelley, you're raising at great kid there. :)

Apr 10, 2014

Shelley W.

@Jackie...she won't allow me to do so just yet. She is worried about it getting snatch off the net and someone claiming it as their own work. We have been putting together a portfolio with the help of a photographer that my husband uses. It would be pretty awesome to have a mini Pat McGrath running around. :)

Apr 10, 2014

Aru T.

So much too learn from this thread..and in such simple words...many many thanks to Jacqueline & Alma...

Apr 10, 2014

Aru T.

*to. I seem incapable of writing a comment w/o typo :(

Apr 10, 2014

Nicole R.

Shelly-when she is ready to show it online, I suggest digitally watermarking it. I do a lot of digital paintings and I find the only way to protect my work is to make it really time consuming to even attempt to steal my work. :-)

Apr 10, 2014

Rabiya A.

Jacqueline thankyou for this thread. It's essential that a clear distinction is made between 'obvious' contouring and 'subtle enhancement'. For a beginner like myself I have actually looked for threads that show basic (to some extent natural) looking contouring that can be applied on a daily basis. So thumbs up 👍

Apr 10, 2014

Shelley W.

Thank you Nicole. ;)