Even if you don’t like contouring, there are days when you may want to give yourself something nature didn’t: an elongated face, a different cheekbone or lip shape, or a uniform complexion. I really enjoy subtly altering my face by using the colors naturally in skin (pinks, reds, browns, even grays)—and by concealing things, so I can draw them back on however I like.

1426111032Screen-Shot-2015-03-11-at-5.55.25-PM

When you cover your face in foundation, it tends to flatten it out. Contouring (and highlighting) not only brings out natural dimension, but also allows you to focus on specific features. Pinks and reds can feel “nude” or bare when it comes to eye makeup. I like to cover up the natural redness in my skin with foundation, then add it back in where I want it, like I did here:

inidgo2

It’s an extension of highlighting and contouring—sort of like eye contouring. It’s somewhat subtle, and looks very bare and clean, but it still can make a big difference. If you feel a little odd at the end of your foundation routine because your color is very monochromatic, what you’re missing may be a little bit of pink!

If you have monolids, you can use the same shadow placement I did to create the illusion of a different eye shape, or you can complement your natural eye shape and leave out the darker color in the crease. Instead, try highlighting the center of your lid and putting the darker shadow on the outer (and inner, if you like) corners of your eyes. All the shadows I sued here are from the Coastal Scents 252 Ultimate Palette.

On days when I’m going for a “natural” look, I use lighter pinks all around my eyes, allowing a little bit of my own skin color to show through. This can be blended down into blush, which you can also extend to the tip of your nose and temples to create a more flushed effect.

If you want to desaturate your makeup, gray is for you! It’s not quite natural, but it is neutral:

Screen Shot 2015-03-11 at 6.00.11 PM

I used it on my eyes and lips here:

indigo3

If your skin has cool undertones, grays will work especially well. I used Kiko Milano lipstick in #524.

Next up is a barely-there bleached brow that can be achieved by coating your brows with an eyebrow gel (I used Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama in Blonde) and applying foundation/concealer (mine is Revlon ColorStay Makeup) on top:

innnnnn5

Eyebrows are a really essential makeup element because they frame your face, so concealed brows on their own will dramatically change your look. You can go for a clean, “year 3000”–style natural vibe, or wear dramatic eye makeup that doesn’t have to fit into the parameters that your eyebrows would normally create.

Concealer and foundation can also be used to cover your lips before re-drawing them on (or not!):

Screen Shot 2015-03-11 at 6.13.51 PM

Here, I under-drew the black side and over-drew the purple one, creating two very different lip shapes:

Screen Shot 2015-03-11 at 6.15.54 PM

Have fun blending in and standing out! ♦