Extreme Contouring

[dk168]

Speaking as someone in her mid 50s who is bare face nearly all her life, with morning beauty routine that includes blow drying her short hair, applying hair spray, and curl her natural eyelashes, I find the trend of contouring very OTT, especially when I see youngsters who have streaks of different colours on their perfectly beautiful young faces.

I fully appreciate the power of make up and how it can lift one's self confidence and spirit, especially in this day and age with the obsession of selfies, self promotion, and so-called celebrity mindset and culture.

However some of the extreme contouring I have seen looked dreadful in normal lighting.

And don't get me started about eyebrows!

Rant over, and apologises in advance for turning into a grumpy old woman!

DK

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Nothing to add, @dk168 you nailed it.
Just because those dark lines might look good on a picture that's been heavily edited, it doesn't mean I cannot see the sharpie -esque look when you're standing next to me.. d'oh.

Hey , get off my lawn now!

 

[Bron357]

I find watching some of those You Tube makeup videos fascinating. The Korean ones in particular where they do these amazing transformations, where very plain, even very unattractive women turn themselves into exquisite doll like creatures. Using makeup, modelling clay ?? a wig and tape that they stick onto their faces. Who knew.
Other weird things include creating an eyelid hood by sticking a piece of curved tape in the right spot and those magnetic false eyelashes.

 

[Niffler75]

@dk168 and @kipari I think it is no wonder so many girls have unrealistic expectations about body image with so many celebs all over the internet using highly photoshopped images. It just isn't healthy!

 

[dk168]

Where do they find the time?

A full paint job for me, with foundation and powder etc. for an evening formal event where I would bring out my bigger and better pieces of jewellery would take upwards of 1.5h, excluding time spent on doing my nails!

I don't have that sort of time to spare every morning!

And lash extension which I had seriously considered, is high maintenance. False ones are fiddly to put on, so I gave up.

Just having semi permanent colouring put on my hair every 4 weeks was painful enough so I gave that up years ago, and go naturally grey.

DK

 

[missy]

Is it bad I have no clue what you are talking about re contouring? LOL I am so out of what is au courant today.

From context though I have to agree with you. Doesn't sound pretty. But of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder so ymmv.

But I am one who prefers bare face generally. I find it fresh and natural.

 

[missy]

@dk168 and @kipari I think it is no wonder so many girls have unrealistic expectations about body image with so many celebs all over the internet using highly photoshopped images. It just isn't healthy!

So true.

We watch Project Runway and they make an attempt by employing models of all sizes however they still have a ways to go. But it is a start. I find all sizes beautiful but perhaps part of that reason is I grew up with a warm loving family who gave me a good sense of self and unconditional love and taught me beauty starts from within. I feel for the kids who don't grow up with such strong role models. It isn't easy when you don't grow up learning acceptance in that way.

 

[asscherisme]

Speaking as someone in her mid 50s who is bare face nearly all her life, with morning beauty routine that includes blow drying her short hair, applying hair spray, and curl her natural eyelashes, I find the trend of contouring very OTT, especially when I see youngsters who have streaks of different colours on their perfectly beautiful young faces.

I fully appreciate the power of make up and how it can lift one's self confidence and spirit, especially in this day and age with the obsession of selfies, self promotion, and so-called celebrity mindset and culture.

However some of the extreme contouring I have seen looked dreadful in normal lighting.

And don't get me started about eyebrows!

Rant over, and apologises in advance for turning into a grumpy old woman!

DK

I am in my early 50s and totally agree with you. I am strongly in the less is more philosophy for makeup. I don't color my hair, but my hair is still for the most part dark, with some white "highlights" as my kids call it. I feel confident in how it looks. But it always cracks me up when I hear other women occasionally tell me how "brave" I am for not coloring my hair. I interpret that as them telling me they admire my confidence. I am confident overall, but I don't think choosing not to color my hair is brave. (full disclosure, I did color my hair for a few years in my 40s when I started to first stated seeing white hair, but I hated the process. Absolutely hated the smell, and the time, and the end result.)

 

[asscherisme]

@dk168 and @kipari I think it is no wonder so many girls have unrealistic expectations about body image with so many celebs all over the internet using highly photoshopped images. It just isn't healthy!

I totally agree. My 20 year old daughter ignores all this, but social media contributes to my 16 year old daughter's insecurity no matter how much I talk to her until I am blue in the face. She often laments to me that I was lucky there was no social media when I was in high school and I tell her I agree. I think social media is so damaging to teenagers (and even 20s and 30's ) people's self esteem.

 

[Trekkie]

I'm 35. I wear makeup most days, and I'm sometimes teased for this. My makeup routine is actually pretty basic - eye shadow, eyeliner (top lid only) and lipstick. No foundation, let alone contour. So perhaps I also shouldn't talk...

BUT OMG WTF IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE?!

It's not too bad where I live (small town South Africa) but on a trip to the UK last year I saw so many people sporting the TOWIE look I thought I had accidentally wandered onto a film set!

My niece is 23. She has beautiful skin - think your typical English rose - but you can't see it because it is covered in foundation and blush and highlight She was bullied at school and has very low self esteem, so I'm sure that contributes but I do wish she would go natural, she is so much prettier without all that muck on her face. But she won't. And her boyfriend encourages her to wear full makeup, so I'm sure that doesn't help either

 

[MarionC]

I find the heavy eyebrow thing interesting and have even considered having some light tatooing done myself instead of putting on eyebrow makeup every morning.
But what happens to the younger women with thick black brows when they « fade » with age...all but the eyebrows. I assume these superficial razored tattoos fade over time??

 

[rainydaze]

I find myself noticing makeup (and not the person) more and more these days. The worst is when I see these young women (it's mostly young women) outside - their foundation is profoundly the wrong shade and so heavily applied. I can see the contouring shades and lines. I do not see beauty, I just see makeup. It makes me sad, all of these women would be a delight to look at without these masks, simply because they would be authentic.

I often go bare-faced myself due to sensitivities and a lack of interest. However lately I have taken to a little foundation mixed with my moisturizer, blush and eye shadow. The 'natural enhancement' routine, I suppose. I do feel a little boosted by it, so I am not anti-makeup entirely. I have really come to appreciate the generations before me who taught this routine in contrast to what I am seeing today with the heavy-handed applications. What good is all that effort when you don't actually look like yourself?

 

[missy]

I am in my early 50s and totally agree with you. I am strongly in the less is more philosophy for makeup. I don't color my hair, but my hair is still for the most part dark, with some white "highlights" as my kids call it. I feel confident in how it looks. But it always cracks me up when I hear other women occasionally tell me how "brave" I am for not coloring my hair. I interpret that as them telling me they admire my confidence. I am confident overall, but I don't think choosing not to color my hair is brave. (full disclosure, I did color my hair for a few years in my 40s when I started to first stated seeing white hair, but I hated the process. Absolutely hated the smell, and the time, and the end result.)

This is me too. (Also in my mid 50s). I don't like coloring my hair and it has nothing to do with bravery per se. LOL. And yeah I figure I am OK the way I am and if someone doesn't like it (and some do comment about the gray) that is too bad. Plus it is none of my business what others think of me.

All I care about is what I (and my dh) think of me.

 

[Ally T]

I find the heavy eyebrow thing interesting and have even considered having some light tatooing done myself instead of putting on eyebrow makeup every morning.
But what happens to the younger women with thick black brows when they « fade » with age...all but the eyebrows. I assume these superficial razored tattoos fade over time??

Two of my mummy friends at school have the semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing. They are both dark & it lasts for about 6 months, at which point it starts to turn a weird purple colour. I kid you not. Purple. That's when they know it's time to book in for a touch up

 

[dk168]

Permanent and semi-permanent beauty treatments have been around for some time, and I did consider having semi-permanent eyebrows, eyeliners and enhanced lip colour at one point in my 30s.

However, after seeing how solid and fake they looked on other people, I decided against them.

I would rather add colour to my brows using pencils in grey rather than black, as the latter is just too harsh. My mum does that every day to this day in her 80s, and I only do that once in a blue moon when I decide to put some colour on my lips and around my eyes.

I hated the smell of semi-permanent colouring on my hair too, which was one of the reasons why I stopped having them.

Besides, being oriental with very dark hair, the new growth along the parting (I had a bob and a side parting at the time) was very noticeable and not a good look in my book.

I started going grey when I was 14. Both my parents went grey at a young age too. My mum never bothers with colouring her hair, however, my dad did toy with Grecian 2000 at one stage, much to our amusement.

I hate wearing foundation and powder as they make my skin feels taut, hence I seldom wear them.

As for fake eyelashes, much as I love the Bambi look, however, they are too high maintenance. A beauty columnist in one of the newspapers I subscribe, commented that if one were to try and achieve the minimalist natural look, as in glowy rather than caked in make-up, then one should not spoil it with long eyelashes that are obviously fake!

Considering I am at the age when I can be a grandmother, I guess it is a generation thing.

DK

 

[dk168]

Friends, bless them, commented that I looked like a badger from the back, thanks!

And strangers asked me where I had my hair colouring done, and I had to tell them it is entirely natural.

I do not believe it has anything to do with bravery. I just feel more comfortable with going grey naturally.

It is very much a personal preference, however, for oriental hair, it is like a life sentence. Just look at the Dowager Queen Sirikit of Thailand - her jet-black hair may look good, however, it is unnatural.

As I said, personal preferences and all that. And Tom Jones looks a lot better being a Silver Fox IMHO!

DK

 

[Ally T]

I am in the less is more camp also. The first & last time I ever wore foundation was on my wedding day many years ago. I just find it claggy & worry it'll rub off.

I am 45 now & when I hit 40, I did go to an expensive department store & ask for a little help from the beauty ladies. We had quite a long discussion & decided on a little under eye concealer & a sweep of very thin, dewy BB cream on my T-zone. I have always worn mascara, a little faint eyeliner along my bottom lashes, a sweep of brow wand to keep my thick brows neat & a nude lip gloss, but I started to feel as though my skin needed a bit of evening out. I have stuck to these products ever since, though will occasionally do eye make up if it's a special occasion.

Interestingly I don't look my age & even now, most people put me in my mid to late 30's. The beauty ladies 5 years ago couldn't believe I was 40 & made comments about how wearing heavy foundations from a young age actually ages your skin, as it dehydrates & clogs pores. They said the ladies they see who look a bit haggard have been heavy makeup wearers from a young age & those with the better skin have been more like me. I'm lucky I have decent skin & I'm glad I've never been into the whole heavy stuff!

I have to say though, eyebrows. WTF?? My niece spends about 15 minutes on those ALONE every single morning before school. She is strawberry blonde & her brows are so pale they're hardly perceptible, but she does them very thick, very dark, and if you ask, will tell you ALL about it & how she thinks they look better since she started using 2 tones of shade. Really? ON YOUR BROWS?? I'd rather have the extra time in bed!

 

[missy]

Friends, bless them, commented that I looked like a badger from the back, thanks!

And strangers asked me where I had my hair colouring done, and I had to tell them it is entirely natural.

I do not believe it has anything to do with bravery. I just feel more comfortable with going grey naturally.

It is very much a personal preference, however, for oriental hair, it is like a life sentence. Just look at the Dowager Queen Sirikit of Thailand - her jet-black hair may look good, however, it is unnatural.

As I said, personal preferences and all that. And Tom Jones looks a lot better being a Silver Fox IMHO!

DK

True. It is personal preference. My mom has *never* colored her hair. Unbelievable but true. And you know what? It looks OK. I mean she would look younger if she colored it but now being older I realize it was a good choice. When I was younger I was more judgmental about the fact she wasn't coloring her hair but now I get it!

My mom in 2008 (my dh is next to her but cut off in the photo)



She had plenty of grey but you couldn't tell with her hair up like this back then.

And today. Much more gray.



To my older eye it looks attractive and is a very good choice IMO. Especially now that I do not want to bother coloring and damaging my hair further. Isn't that funny how one's perception changes over time.

 

[Austina]

I’m not allowed out in public without make up for fear of frightening the general public

I‘m 60, I have my roots done every 5 weeks and touch up my parting at 3 weeks. I wear make up every day. I’d rather any harmful pollution stick to the make up than my skin because I had terrible eczema when I was young, so keep my skin covered. I wear foundation, blush, powder, eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss. I have every intention of growing old disgracefully

I must admit, I don’t like the big furry catapillar eyebrows and the obvious contoured look.

 

[dk168]

I’m not allowed out in public without make up for fear of frightening the general public

That's why I avoid mirrors and having photos of myself taken!

I do believe where you live makes a difference too.

I live in a town in rural Wiltshire nowadays, and my social events involve going to the local watering holes, cinema, choir practices and voluntary works etc... Therefore, I do not feel the need to dress up for such outings.

I do feel the need to put on better clothes, wear more blingy jewellery, and to put a bit of colour on my face when I go and visit a city such as Bath, Bristol and London. However, such visits are far and between.

They say you can date a photo by the clothes, make up, and mobile phone, that is so true!!! Working Girl with Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford springs to mind!

DK

 

[Garnetgirl]

When I saw ‘extreme contouring’ as the title of this thread, I thought it was going to be about a new way of cutting gems!

The only social media site I go on is Pricescope, so I never knew all this makeup was a ‘thing’ among young women. I can’t imagine the time they must spend on this.

Once again, I’m finding PS is very educational.

The older I get, the less time I seem to want to spend doing makeup.

Now I usually only use moisturizer on my face, sometimes foundation and blush. Ive never coloured my hair, and neither has my mother, who is 92. She still has some brown among the gray, even at her age.

 

[Ally T]

True. It is personal preference. My mom has *never* colored her hair. Unbelievable but true. And you know what? It looks OK. I mean she would look younger if she colored it but now being older I realize it was a good choice. When I was younger I was more judgmental about the fact she wasn't coloring her hair but now I get it!

My mom in 2008 (my dh is next to her but cut off in the photo)



She had plenty of grey but you couldn't tell with her hair up like this back then.

And today. Much more gray.



To my older eye it looks attractive and is a very good choice IMO. Especially now that I do not want to bother coloring and damaging my hair further. Isn't that funny how one's perception changes over time.

Your mother is the epitome of chic elegance. And wowzers, you look like her so much!!

I have to admit, I do colour my hair & have done since my early 30's. Prior to that i just had random high & low lights. But i am so grey now it's alarming! My mother (dark skin, eyes & raven black hair in her younger years) was completely white by 45. I wish I could embrace it & I do, for the health of my hair, push my root colouring out to around every 7 weeks now rather than 4, thanks to the invention of brush in root powder. But I'm not ready to be so grey just yet.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I have no idea what this is all about. Is this about wearing makeup? Can someone send me a link?

cheers--Sharon

 

[missy]

Your mother is the epitome of chic elegance. And wowzers, you look like her so much!!

I have to admit, I do colour my hair & have done since my early 30's. Prior to that i just had random high & low lights. But i am so grey now it's alarming! My mother (dark skin, eyes & raven black hair in her younger years) was completely white by 45. I wish I could embrace it & I do, for the health of my hair, push my root colouring out to around every 7 weeks now rather than 4, thanks to the invention of brush in root powder, but I'm not ready to be so grey just yet.

@Alex T thank you And as far as what’s right for you that is what counts. You do what works for you and that changes with time. It did for me. You’re beautiful inside and out and will always be. No matter what you decide to do re makeup and hair coloring etc.

By the way I emailed you back last night

 

[missy]

HI:

I have no idea what this is all about. Is this about wearing makeup? Can someone send me a link?

cheers--Sharon

I had no clue either.

The Right Way to Contour for a Lifted, Sculpted Appearance, According to MUAs

So you want to contour your face but don't know how. Fear not: With the help of a pro makeup artist, we've created a step-by-step guide.

www.byrdie.com

We’re Living in the Golden Age of Contouring (Published 2017)

With light and shadow, it’s possible not just to accentuate your features — but to reshape them.

www.nytimes.com

Forget What You Know: This Is What Contouring Looks Like in 2019

out with the old and in with the glam

theeverygirl.com

 

[MeowMeow]

I love makeup for special occasions, including contouring. It's so much fun for me. But special occasions is all. I still haven't found a foundation that doesn't make my face red,itchy, and broken out the instant I take it off that night. So i go barefaced even if it means i scare small children lol. I rarely dye my hair anymore either. Too poor. At first it was hard to see my little silver hairs. They're very obvious in my dark hair but now I am just used to it. I would go back to it immediately if I could though. Platinum blonde with red is my thing.

 

[JPie]

I stopped dying my hair in college. I used to color it a dark burgundy for fun, but it left my hair so damaged that my ex actually recoiled his hand in horror when he touched it. I’m in my late 30s and I don’t plan on coloring my hair as my grays come in.

My daily skincare routine since I was a child is moisturizer only. I don’t wear makeup unless I’m going to a wedding. Part of it is my lifelong ineptitude at applying makeup, and part of it is fear or aggravating my eczema.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Ok. Got it. Looks like a lot of work. Maybe it might like it!

cheers--Sharon

 

[MamaBee]

I’m not allowed out in public without make up for fear of frightening the general public

I‘m 60, I have my roots done every 5 weeks and touch up my parting at 3 weeks. I wear make up every day. I’d rather any harmful pollution stick to the make up than my skin because I had terrible eczema when I was young, so keep my skin covered. I wear foundation, blush, powder, eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss. I have every intention of growing old disgracefully

I must admit, I don’t like the big furry catapillar eyebrows and the obvious contoured look.

Me too @Austina..If I had beautiful skin without under eye circles because I’m so fair..it would be one thing..but I didn’t get beautiful or even normal skin. The other thing is I had melanoma..I have the fairest skin...I was told by my dermatologist to use sunscreen on my face..I tried every sunscreen known to man and it made my eyes water terribly. She told me to just wear liquid makeup which has an spf of at least 20 in it. I’ve been doing it since I’m 40...I feel naked without it now...

 

[missy]

Me too @Austina..If I had beautiful skin without under eye circles because I’m so fair..it would be one thing..but I didn’t get beautiful or even normal skin. The other thing is I had melanoma..I have the fairest skin...I was told by my dermatologist to use sunscreen on my face..I tried every sunscreen known to man and it made my eyes water terribly. She told me to just wear liquid makeup which has an spf if at least 20 in it. I’ve been doing it since I’m 40...I feel naked without it...I never thought that people would be judging my choice to wear makeup.

Joanne, don’t pay any of those people who are judgy any mind. Some people will always judge. It’s the nature of the beast. Ignore em. They’re small minded and jealous anyway. You’re beautiful inside and out. ❤