One of the most rewarding parts of my job is talking with makeup artists. Often, they generously share their best tricks to achieve a professional result, and a few weeks ago I ran into Xabier Rodrigues, MAC’s makeup artist. We talked about trends, techniques and above all about how to optimize our time so we don’t spend hours and hours in front of the mirror. Unavoidably, we ended up discussing how bronzers have regained popularity among beauty lovers, although he confessed that we’ve been applying them wrongly for a long time. The reason? We don’t have to draw a ‘3’ on our contour, but a C.
“Women are very accustomed to delimiting their contour with a three, but that’s a mistake; and the result looks artificial because that’s not how light hits.” The expert explained to me that this technique became popular in editorials, because when photographing the finish it looked more striking. However, in day-to-day life, it’s not the best technique if we seek a natural look.
In its place, we should draw a C, “from the temples to the cheeks. In this way, it’s as if the sun kisses the skin. It also enhances the features and the lifting effect produced by light and shadow is the same. Therefore, it is very flattering.”
This trick is also applicable to blushes or highlighters. That said, the MAC makeup artist recommends stick or cream formats because they are the easiest to work with. “They are blendable, allow easy application and integrate much better with the natural tone of our face.”
The Best Blushes, Bronzers and Highlighters for a Lifting Effect
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Cream Stick.
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Cream Stick. Its cream-to-powder texture offers the comfort of a creamy formula with the soft and natural finish of a powder product. It’s perfect for those who want to sculpt the face without overcomplicating things. In addition, it blends easily and leaves a very beautiful second-skin effect.
Forever Skin Bronze Dior
Forever Skin Bronze Dior provides warmth to the face with a natural and buildable finish. Its creamy texture blends easily, leaving a soft and luminous bronze effect. It also hydrates and provides comfort.
Kosas Impressionist Multistick.
Kosas Impressionist Multistick. I have to confess I use them for everything. They apply easily, melt into the skin in seconds and last up to twelve hours. Not much more could be asked of them.
Strobe Beam Liquid Blush de MAC.
Strobe Beam Liquid Blush de MAC. It’s perfect because its light and buildable formula brightens, contours and defines your face and lips. Its shades are inspired by the tones of sunset, and its treatment-based formula leaves a fresh and lightweight feel that is very comfortable.
Petit Lit Up de Westman Atelier.
Petit Lit Up de Westman Atelier. Its gel texture melts instantly with the skin, leaving a translucent, fresh and very elegant glow, while ingredients such as the Vitis Vita grape extract and Ayurvedic oils provide hydration and comfort. It is perfect for brightening cheekbones, the nose, eyelids or lips.
