• Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Women
  • Spa Awards
  • Weddings
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Skin
    • Hair
    • Body & Fragrances
    • Aesthetics & Services
    • Best Of Beauty
    • Reviews
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Trends & Tips
    • Style Files
    • Watches & Jewellery
  • Life
    • Life
    • Food
    • Entertainment
    • Wellness
    • Travel
    • Tech
    • Sex & Love
    • Stuff to do
  • Women
    • Women
    • Women Now
    • Career
    • Money
  • #HERWORLDHERSTORY
  • Weddings
    • Weddings
    • Gowns & Suits
    • Ideas & Advice
    • Real Weddings
    • Love Nest
    • Luxe
    • Home
  • Beauty Awards
  • SPA AWARDS
  • HAIR AWARDS
  • Woman of the year
  • Age Is Just A Number
  • Video
Subscribe!
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising with Us
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Statement
SPH Media

MCI (P) 039/12/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Women
  • Spa Awards
  • Weddings

How to get Hwasa’s natural, seamless contour

How to get Hwasa’s natural, seamless contour

Whether you’re downplaying your flaws or accentuating your features, these are the best products, tools and rules when it comes to shading your mien IRL – no filter needed

by Letty Seah  /   September 23, 2021

Credit: Hwasa

It seems that we’re all gravitating towards a more natural beauty look with more time spent at home. After all, “skinmalism” (going back to basics with a more streamlined approach to skincare and makeup) did emerge as the beauty trend of 2021. We still want to look like ourselves, but just on a really, really good day. Already, we’ve seen a preference for lightweight face tints over heavy foundations.

Since we’re cutting back on foundation, it makes sense that we want to do the same for the rest of our makeup routine. This explains why soft sculpting – a more subtle, light-handed take on traditional contouring – is taking off. Don’t get us wrong. We still want our cheekbones to look snatched; we just don’t want the streaks, smudges and muddy finishes.

“I think people have finally realised that the old way of sculpting is too harsh and creates unsightly lines and patches, instead of defining the features,” says makeup artist Melissa Yeo.

Makeup artist Marie Soh believes that the “soft sculpting” movement is an understandable response to the exaggerated versions of the technique that we’ve seen all over Instagram, as we’re in the age of authenticity. “The social view of makeup has changed. There is no right or wrong. It’s about embracing your uniqueness and looking like yourself.”

This technique is all about “working with the face to create proportions” and “not seeing the obvious outlines on the face”, according to makeup artist Larry Yeo.

We speak to the pros to get their tips on achieving a natural contour seen on popular Korean stars like MAMAMOO’s Hwasa while letting your skin shine.

This story was first published in the September 2021 issue of Her World.

READ NEXT

The best contouring makeup products for different skin tones

6 products you can mix into your foundation for a better finish

5 TikTok nose contour hacks that will blow your mind

https://www.herworld.com/gallery/shopping/tips-soft-natural-contour/
How to get Hwasa's natural, seamless contour
image

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS

The experts agree that besides picking the right shade, the key to nailing that subtle, diffused soft- sculpted look is blending. Even if you were a little too heavy-handed with your bronzer, blending it with an angled brush or sponge can help rein it in. “Always blend any harsh edges. To soften the look, try blending with loose powder,” advises Melissa. “To blend, I use an angled contour blush, but a powder brush (with its bristles pinched flat) or small eyeshadow blending brush works just as well,” adds Marie.

USE LESS PRODUCT

Another rule of thumb? Start with less product, and build up if needed. You can always intensify your shaded areas, but removing heavy-handed product is much trickier. Besides, using too much product can emphasise texture in skin.

PICK THE RIGHT SHADE

The pros agree that the biggest key to contouring success is the shade you choose. For those with lighter complexions, Larry recommends a foundation shade or contour with a taupe mauve wash. The best shade for those with light to medium skin tones is a neutral taupe with a hint of grey. Olive complexions can opt for a deeper, warmer shade to create depth. “Rich, deeper skin tones might not need sculpting. Instead, incorporate a lighter foundation to highlight and accentuate the features,” he adds.

Showbit
LIGHT COMPLEXIONS: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer in Amber, $50
image

A light neutral taupe bronzer that mimics the look of a real shadow. Available at Sephora

LIGHT TO MEDIUM COMPLEXIONS: Gucci Rouge a Levres Mat Matte Lipstick in #105 Susan Nude, $53
image

Think of this matte lipstick as the Swiss Army knife of your beauty routine – it adds colour to your lips, cheeks, eyelids, and even contours your face. Just be sure to blend it well! Available at Sephora

OLIVE COMPLEXIONS: Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Concealer in #4.2-5.1, $45
image

This concealer comes in a variety of shades to ensure that your contour doesn’t look ashy. Available at Sephora

DEEP COMPLEXIONS: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer in Hazelnut/Chestnut/ Cool Brown, $52
image

A bronzer with lots of warmth and depth, so your contour never looks grey. Available at Sephora

image

THE REST OF YOUR MAKEUP

The experts agree that a soft sculpted complexion works with just about any makeup look. You can keep the rest of your makeup light and minimal, or sport a smokey sultry look. “Since shaping the face helps with evening out proportions, it should form the basis of your makeup, before you apply any coloured products,” says Larry.

THE REST OF YOUR MAKEUP

The experts agree that a soft sculpted complexion works with just about any makeup look. You can keep the rest of your makeup light and minimal, or sport a smokey sultry look. “Since shaping the face helps with evening out proportions, it should form the basis of your makeup, before you apply any coloured products,” says Larry.

LIGHTING IS KEY

Another thing to consider is lighting. What appears well-blended in bad lighting might actually be harsh and blotchy in natural light. That’s why you need to buff your contour in a well-lit area. “Do your makeup facing natural light, and not at an angle,” advises Marie. Larry is of the same mind in his approach, prioritising what looks best in the real world. “Stop being so hard-handed like you exist on Instagram. If you overdo your contour, you’re no better than a baked item at a deli!”

Showbit
M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $60
image

While technically a foundation, this matte formula does double duty to perfect your complexion and create depth. Apply with a MAC #135S brush to the hollows of your cheeks. Available at Sephora

image

WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, NOT AGAINST

IT Like most makeup techniques, not all the rules of contouring are universal. It’s important to keep your face shape in mind. “Soft sculpting is about understanding your own features and defining the right parts of your face. For instance, if you already have hollow cheeks, there is no need to enhance it further,” says Melissa.

So, how can you tell if you’ve mastered the art of soft sculpting? “Your contour should still be visible, but it shouldn’t look like you leaned against a rusty metal pole that left a stain on your face,” says Larry. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

BRING LIGHT BACK INTO YOUR FACE

Once you’ve skilfully sculpted your face, it’s time to bring light back to it with a highlighter. Well-placed highlights can give your skin that coveted lit-from-within glow. To add just the right amount of sheen, Melissa suggests using Cle De Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer on the brow bones, inner corners of the eyes, above the cheekbones, bridge of nose, and on the Cupid’s bow.

ADD A POP OF COLOUR TO THE CHEEKS

“Fake a natural flush by adding some blush on the cheeks. Blush helps to soften any harsh edges and lift the cheek area,” explains Melissa, who always likes to incorporate blush into the contour equation. She prefers using a powder-based formula that is less likely to slip around in humid weather.

Showbit
Cosme Decorte Powder Blush, $70
image

The antithesis of a chalky powder blusher, this cult favourite is formulated with an oil-based agent to impart a silky-soft glow to skin. Available at Decorte Ion, BHG Bugis Junction, Isetan Katong, Isetan Scotts, Metro Paragon and Takashimaya D.S.

Cle De Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer, $140
image

Formulated with an innovative light-diffusing technology, this luxurious powder highlighter delivers radiance without feeling sticky or looking greasy. Available at Tangs

Read Next

9 fuss-free makeup products you need if you're lazy

10 celeb-approved must-tries to up your eye makeup game

10 beauty hacks to look natural yet polished

  • TAGS:
  • contouring
  • face sculpting makeup
  • Korean makeup
  • natural contour
  • skinamlism
  • soft makeup
SHARE THIS ON

T / Trending

All you need to know about breadcrumbing in dating

Fashion

What to look out for when planning a girls’ trip, according to a ...

Newsletter Subscribe
Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from Her World.

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • PDPA
  • Conditions of Access
  • Privacy Statement
SPH Media

MCI (P) 039/12/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.