First there was contouring, then strobing, and then there was nontouring. Soon after there was draping. And now, ladies and gentlemen, there is colour correcting. While this technique has been around the block before, I’m hoping that the new wave of enthusiasm is for colour correcting sticks. Because of all of these “skin trends” it’s the one that makes the most sense, and leaves you with the most natural(ish) appearance. It does involve covering your face in green sludge, but anything for a pretty face, right?
Contouring uses light and dark to carve out cheekbones, narrow your face and highlight your eyes. There seems to be approximately 3,456 different ways to do this. This look is not natural, finding its origins in drag and stage makeup. Then there is strobing, which is basically highlighting, but all over your face.
Nontouring is all in the name, as it involves no contouring whatsoever. It leaves me with a face that that resembles a look I worked as a 15-year-old, when layering on a thick layer of foundation, and very little else. Draping is basically applying a dark blush to the apples of your cheeks, Farah Fawcett style.
But colour correcting, well it’s science. Colour theory says that opposite colours on the colour wheel cancel each other out. So if your skin is looking a little tired and yellow, grab yourself some purple, like Becca’s First Light Priming Filter (€37 from Space NK). If you suffer from red cheeks, like so many Irish women, try popping some green goop all over them. Smashbox do a great green primer (€34 Boots) but if you have any friends going to the US, Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment is the product you want. It’s really thick and green, and putting it on your face feels a bit wrong, but trust and watch the green disappear and a glowing natural complexion rise to the surface.
