People are using clown makeup as a contouring method

Jul 15, 2015

If you thought that wrapping your head around normal contouring was tricky, just wait until you see was this beauty blogger is up to.

BellaDeLune is responsible for introducing the concept of ‘clown contouring’ to the world of beauty. With bonus use of emojis.

A photo posted by BellaDeLune(@belladelune) on Jun 19, 2015 at 8:28am PDT

She explains in her YouTube video that clown contouring became her way of fighting back against the people who were bullying her online.

“I cannot tell you how many times I have been called a clown and many other names and been hated on,” she explains in the video.

“I just did this to show you what a real payasa looks like.” Payasa is the Spanish word for clown.

A photo posted by Universal Hair & Makeup (@universalhairandmakeup) on Jul 6, 2015 at 10:18pm PDT

Bella describes the technique as an extreme form of colour correction and contouring, and although it started as a joke, people quickly caught up with the trend.

Over the past week Instagram has been taken over with countless selfies displaying the incrediblely detailed clown-like contouring tricks.

A video posted by علياء – الخبر (@liya_likes) on Jul 7, 2015 at 4:24pm PDT

While the before pictures look pretty out there and the colours are quite intense, the results are actually amazing.

Who knew a sugar skull could help your brows pop so much? It seems like a joke, but the fact is that people are ending up with amazing make up results after all that blending.

A photo posted by @qmin_magazine on Jul 10, 2015 at 6:40am PDT

In her video, Bella says that she wouldn’t do this kind of dramatic make-up every day, but she does see how much fun it can be.

A photo posted by Lia VaultBoy (@liavaultboy) on Jul 3, 2015 at 7:59pm PDT

We’re kind of tempted to try it out, we just need some free time and a pretty big contouring palette. Take a look at the original video (that has almost 1.5 million views in less than a month) to see why this technique is taking over the internet.

Three easy steps to contouring like a pro

Jul 13, 2015

by Amber Saunders

With so many new make-up techniques and trends taking over the world, it can be seriously hard to keep up.

Baking and strobing seem to be the latest two crazes that beauty bloggers are raving about but you still just can’t beat contouring.

Make-up artist Nadia El Ferdaoussi from Sleek Make Up has revealed the three easy steps to contouring like a pro.

Know where you need to contour

The places that you usually want to highlight are the cheekbones, the cupids of the bow of your upper lift and the bridge of your nose. Use lighter shimmery shades on these parts to give a glow to the skin. Use darker, matte shades to the areas you want to sculpt, such as the hairline, under the chin and the lower side of your cheekbones.

Find a formula that suits you

The face form palette and face contour kit from Sleek Make Up have darker matte powders for contouring and lighter pearlescent shades for highlighting that can also be used on the eyes.

Blend, blend, blend

The secret to contouring is subtlety so it is vital that you blend correctly. Always build your colour and coverage slowly. Use small fluffy natural hair brushes for powders and synthetic fibres or fingers for creams. Always make sure that there are no obvious lines around the edges.

S! TV: Expert gives advice on how to contour

Jun 17, 2015

by Amber Saunders

As part of a new S! TV series, we'll be finding out the answers to some of our viewers' most pressing beauty questions, with the help of make-up artist Stephan Ulvund Øien from IsaDora Global.

When contouring, it can be difficult to know exactly where to highlight and where to shade.

In this new video, Stephan gives us an expert guide on how to correctly contour.

Why we need to stop taking beauty tips from Kim Kardashian

Apr 3, 2015

by Amber Saunders

I’ve reached saturation point with this contouring business – let’s call it the uber-contour.

Brands all over the world are cashing in on the trend; instructional videos on how to contour à la Kim K are some of YouTube’s most watched. Instagram is also flooded with tutorials that can, at times, make some of the most beautiful girls look, well, a little caked.

Being a woman with some disposable income and a die-hard interest in cosmetics, I’m not immune to the craze myself. I bought the Anastasia powder contour kit online (from Cult Beauty, if you’re interested) and absolutely love it for giving my face a bit of dimension – but there’s no need to smother yourself in layers of concealer in order to tap into the trend.

However, you only need to watch one video to realise that red-carpet makeup simply isn’t practical for real life. The most exaggerated, full-coverage, unblended version of contouring is steadily gaining popularity. The all-too-common brown line, dragged all the way down to the corners of the mouth, is most definitely unflattering.

Surely, true contour shouldn’t really look like contour?! Why on earth would anyone want to make it look like they have visibly created shading on their face with heavy stage make-up for everyday wear?

The purpose of this piece isn’t really to put anyone down on the basis of their appearance. Honestly, it’s just about highlighting (ha!) how high-maintenance we’re all under pressure to be – what works for Kim K won’t work for us all.

Some handy advice: follow whatever feels good for you. Whether that’s going to the supermarket in full drag, or legging it to work bare-faced; do you, and don’t ever be fooled into anything else.

Deirdre Foley is a history grad, sceptic, wearer of red lipstick and self-confessed 'beauty maniac'. She is also the co-founder of fabulous Irish beauty blog, Viva Adonis.

The art of contouring

Jan 20, 2014

by Amber Saunders

We’ve all heard of the power of contouring, but most of us have no idea how to do it.

It’s all about creating an illusion and it’s so simple – all you need to know is your face shape and the right technique for it.

Oval shape:
You don’t need to contour. Lucky you!

Heart shape:
Soften a prominent chin by blending highlighter around it and along the jawbone to balance out your face. Brush a slighter darker skin colour powder to the lower part of your cheeks.

Long shape:
To widen your face, brush blush to the apple of your cheeks and extend it out towards your ears rather than your temple. This will help create the illusion of width.

Round shape:
To make your face appear thinner, apply blusher to the apples of your cheeks. Dust a slightly darker flesh-coloured powder below your cheekbones down to the jawline and blend well.

You can thank us later…

How to make your face look thinner without hitting the gym

Jan 6, 2014

by Amber Saunders

If you don’t want to spend hours working out when trying to achieve a thinner face, you don’t have to.

You can skip all that and get that chiselled look in the snap of a finger – for a few hours anyway.

With the right tools and techniques, you can minimise roundness in your face by applying a technique called ‘contouring.’

Get yourself a matte bronzer that is three or four shades darker than your skin tone and a flathead brush.
To contour, make a ‘fish face’ and apply the product in the shape of the number ‘3,’ starting from the side of your forehead to under your cheekbones and then backwards from the cheekbone to your jawline.
By contouring these areas you are minimising roundness and creating a shadow that will make your cheekbone stand out more.

This simple process only takes seconds and does wonders for your face.