If you’re a fan of the no-makeup makeup-look or Hailey Bieber’s soft-glam, then we bet you’ve already undertaken a thorough search to find the perfect products to help you achieve that coveted look. If this sounds familiar, then you’ll love what's coming next. FYI, you don’t need to cut down on the number of products you use and this technique is great for beginners and makeup veterans alike. Underpainting has recently been popularised by celebrity makeup artists like Mary Phillips and Scott Barnes (a few of their clients include Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Kendall Jenner, Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez to name a few).
So, get ready to take notes as we give you the 4-1-1 on this buzz-worthy trend. Plus, how you can achieve it with just a few steps.
With more than 170k+ hashtags on the ‘Gram, we naturally had to delve deeper to get a complete lowdown on this trend. Underpainting is when you apply your makeup products - contour, highlighter, concealer and blush before your foundation. It might sound odd, but stay with us. This technique is a surefire way to ace that naturally airbrushed look we're chasing, despite wearing a full face of makeup.
You can start with what you have. But, if you’re planning a purchase anyway, opt for products that have a creamy or liquid consistency. They adhere better to the skin, are easy to blend out and will help prevent a patchy look. You also want to opt for a sheer to medium finish foundation or a skin tint, otherwise you’ll end up camouflaging more areas than you want to.
Step 1: Prep and hydrate your skin well so that all your products glide on easily. Wait 2-3 minutes for the moisturiser to settle before you begin.
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Step 2: Begin with contouring. Although optional, using a stick contour along your forehead, jawline, and cheekbones will add definition to your look. Use a damp beauty blender to evenly blend it out. If you’re never contoured before, don’t worry, because you’ll be applying foundation on top, making the lines less stark.
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Step 3: Dab some concealer under your eyes (can be 1-2 shades lighter for a brightening effect). Cover up any dark spots, blemishes or redness as well.
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Step 4: Go in with a liquid or cream blush and apply it on the apples of your cheeks and on your nose for a sun-kissed effect.
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Step 5: Apply a liquid highlighter on top of your cheekbones and at the centre of your nose. Feel free to use your fingers, a brush, or a damp beauty blender to evenly distribute the product.
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Step 6: Working your foundation requires some amount of technique. As discussed above, pick something that is light and dewy. Begin by using a stippling brush. This will thin down the foundation and offer better control on application. Start with the places that do not have contour and make swift small strokes. Then, blend the foundation evenly with a damp beauty blender, buffing the foundation in.
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If any of the products applied underneath seem to be muted out because of the foundation, you can enhance them with powder products before sealing in everything with a makeup fixer spray. But if everything’s on track, you’ll end up with the most amazing soft-focus look!
