"You're not ugly, you're just not doing your makeup based on your contrast level," the most recent viral sound on TikTok tells me as soon as I open the app—bleary-eyed and half asleep at 1 a.m.
Now, in my [chronic] time online, I've seen my fair share of social media beauty trends; from the one-layer makeup hack to hair colour analyses and even broccoli faux freckles (yep, 'twas a thing), nothing and nobody—not even the veg in your fridge—is safe when it comes to the possibility of creating a viral moment online.
Where did the high contrast, low contrast makeup trend come from?
The latest to take off is, however, a little more considered having been created by a makeup artist named Aliénor. It follows the premise that you should do your makeup based on contrast levels and even has its own filter on the app. Watch Aliénor's video on how to navigate it, below.
@alieenor Réponse à @Ashleyvdk The best way you can feel like yourself when wearing makeup is understanding your contrast level #contrastlevel #highcontrast #annehathaway #maralafontan #inestazi #monicabellucci #highcontrastmakeup #darkhair #contrast #colorseasonanalysis @Mara Lafontan @INES TAZI ? son original - Alieenor ????
As a user (and not a beauty journalist), I did find the filter a little confusing. I was able to understand that my medium skin tone is of a 'high contrast' but...that was it. To my disappointment, it did not then show me what coloured cosmetics should work best for said contrast level. However, Aliénor has explained more on what colour palette works best for your contrast level in various videos on her page, so, be sure to swat up!
What a makeup artist thinks of the high contrast, low contrast makeup trend
Naturally, I've sifted through videos covering the trend, but to really understand whether or not it's Cosmo Hype Test approved, I spoke to an unbiased qualified makeup artist, Emily Wood who shared her thoughts on high contrast, low contrast makeup and its filter.
"The contrast level theory refers to the differences between your eye colour, hair colour and skin tone," Emily explains. "The concept is a useful guide for those who feel stuck and feel like they’re doing their makeup "wrong".
@makeupbymonicaa I hate these sorts of trends cause it ruins the beauty of experimenting with different makeup styles! Additionally most of them dont apply to darker skintones especially this one cuase most people with darker skin dont have much contrast between their skin, hair, and eyes! And even if we do, I truly feel the brown and black girls pioneered high contrast makeup. So please do your makeup how YOU please! Products used linked in my bio with shades?????? @ONE SIZE BEAUTY foundation + blue pigment cause its orange @loréal paris usa foundation @DanessaMyricksBeauty concealer & groundworks eyeshadow palette @Haus Labs by Lady Gaga concealer @Huda Beauty powder & corrector @Kosas cloud set & eyelinee @about-face beauty purple eyeliner @Milani Cosmetics bronzer @KIKO Milano contour & lipstick @NYX Professional Makeup fat oil @NARS Cosmetics blush @Rare Beauty blush #browngirlmakeup#highcontrastmakeup#mediuncontrastmakeup#contrastmakeup#makeuptrends#brownskinmakeup#blackgirlmakeup#makeuptutorial ? original sound - Monica Ravichandran ?
@evalarosaxo Replying to @Gerta low contrast next? ? ib: @Alieenor ???? • • • #contrastlevel #highcontrast #contrastmakeup #makeuphacks #makeuphackstutorial #makeup #makeuptutorial ? is there someone else? - 87 ?
Emily concludes with a notion that the Cosmo Beauty Team totally agree with: Beauty is an art and should be experimented with as and how people please. "Makeup is multifaceted, it's functional while also playful. I can see why the contrast filter will be of assistance to some people whilst feeling quite confining and rigid to others," Emily says.
As with most trends, this filter is to be used as a fun experiment. What it should not do, however, is pigeonhole users into feeling that one makeup look is the pathway to beauty—because it is totally not! Let those creative juices flow, my friends.
Follow Lia on Instagram.
***
This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com/uk. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
