If your TikTok algorithm is anything like ours, then you’ve probably seen the contrast makeup theory all over your FYP. The theory uses the contrast level of your facial features to determine the most flattering makeup looks for you. And we have to admit, it makes a lot of sense. While it can be a bit confusing at first glance, we’re breaking down contrast makeup for beginners plus the tips and looks you need to try!
What Is Contrast Makeup?
Contrast makeup is a technique that uses the contrast between your hair, skin, eyebrows, and eyes to find your most flattering makeup looks. The contrast makeup theory was first introduced by TikTok user @alieenor, a makeup artist based in France. She explains the theory as “the difference in value between your face, eyes, eyebrows, and hair” and basing your makeup routine according to your contrast level. It’s all about doing your makeup in a way that complements your features.
The contrast levels include low, medium, and high contrast, which we explain in detail below. Contrast is all about differentiating light intensity. Adding too much or not enough contrast can make your features either too harsh or too subdued. Alienor even created a TikTok filter to help you figure out your contrast level if you’re not sure which level you fall into.
5 Low Contrast Makeup for Beginners
Low contrast means that the difference in tone between your skin, hair, eyebrows, and eye colour is low. A good example of someone who has low contrast is Taylor Swift. To complement low contrast, it’s recommended to try out a no-makeup makeup look. Try to stay within the same general colour palette for a soft, monochromatic look where no one feature stands out too much. Here are tips and looks to try for low contrast makeup.
1. Choose a lightweight foundation for your base that complements your natural skin tone. Avoid harsh contouring to keep the contrast low, or use a cool tone powder contour with a soft finish.
2. Avoid harsh colours like deep berry lipsticks or vibrant pink blush. Stick to soft pink or peachy blush shades that give your cheeks a gentle flush, as well as light pink or nude lip colours for a fresh, clean look.
3. Stick to soft, neutral tones for your eyeshadows such as taupes, light browns, pinks, and beiges. These shades will complement your features instead of overpowering them. You can also add silver or champagne shimmer for a more ethereal look.
4. Soft Glam Low Contrast
This is a great example of low contrast makeup. As you can see, the difference in tone between her face, hair, eyes, and brows is minimal and the soft glam makeup looks incredible to complement her features. Her lips and cheeks are lightly flushed with a taupey eye and some high point highlights for a shimmering glow.
5. No Makeup Makeup
We love the look of this sun kissed no makeup makeup look. It’s the perfect everyday look with warmth added to the cheeks and a similar colour on the lips. Choosing a blush shade that’s close to your natural flush will make your look more harmonious and we love the minimal mascara with the slightly winged out liner.
4 Medium Contrast Makeup for Beginners
Medium contrast means you have a slight difference between your skin colour, eye colour, brows, and hair. According to @alieenor, a flushed cheek and lip combination and a subtle smokey eye will work best for you. Use shades that aren’t too much darker than your skin tone (nudes, taupes, and browns) and aim to keep your features balanced. Here are the best tips for medium contrast makeup.
1. You may require a bit more intensity to create a balanced look. While nude lipsticks will likely make you look washed out, choose a lip oil in a berry or rosy shade to balance the contrast without going overboard. Then apply a matching blush shade to tie the look together.
2. If you have super dark eyes, Alienor recommends adding intensity to your eye makeup to help soften the contrast with your skin tone. A subtle smokey eye is the perfect choice. Eventhough you want to add a bit more intensity to the eyes, you still want to opt for shades that aren’t too much darker than your skin tone.
3. Medium Contrast Beauty
You can see how this makeup is a bit more intense than the low contrast makeup, but doesn’t at all go overboard. The pigmented colour on her cheeks and lips complements her brows and hair, creating less of a contrast between her features. And her eyeshadow isn’t too much darker than her skin tone so adds the perfect amount of subtle colour.
4. Smokey and Glowing
Zendaya is a great example of a medium contrast face. For this look, she opted for a brown smokey eye and added a lipstick that’s a bit more intense to keep her features balanced and harmonious. Her glowy base also works beautifully for a medium contrast look.
4 High Contrast Makeup for Beginners
High contrast means you have a high difference between your facial features. For example, having very dark hair and very light skin. The goal is to soften the contrast between features by adding intensity back into the face. @alieenor recommends a bold smokey eye and highly saturated lip colours for you. Here are some other tips and looks to try.
1. You’re able to experiment a little more with intense eyes and lips. Graphic eyeliner, smokey eyes, and dark, moody lipsticks work well to balance out high contrast faces. If you want something a little softer, you can opt for medium-intensity red lips and a more subdued smokey eye.
2. Feel free to play around with more bold looks where the colours differ. Think a combination like dark brown and burgundy for the eyes, a deep berry cheek tint, and a mocha lip.
3. High Contrast, Minimal Makeup
Bold lip colours paired with minimal eye makeup (or no eye makeup at all) also tend to work really well for those with high contrast features. This is a great look for day to day when you don’t want something too intense.
4. Glam High Contrast
For a night out, we love this take on high contrast makeup. The dark liner and smokey eyeshadow adds intensity to the eyes, while a hint of lip colour keeps the look well balanced. The flushed cheeks add colour to the skin, which alos helps with the contrast.
Contrast makeup is the newest trend to get on board with. If you’ve been having trouble finding your go-to makeup look, use these tips and looks to create your signature vibe.
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