There’s no denying that over the last few years, pared-back make-up has been where it’s at when it comes to trending looks. Whether that’s sheer, sheeny eyeshadows, dewy blush or ‘tired girl’ makeup, which makes your dark circles centre stage, the more high-maintenance looks of the 2010s feel like a distant memory. Which is why when contouring made a triumphant return to the catwalks and red carpets this year, we were pleasantly surprised. This time around, however, the face-sculpting technique is less about hyper definition and a quest for perfection and more about subtly defining and enhancing what’s already there.
For those with mature skin, this shift makes perfect sense. Of course, skin evolves as we grow older, with texture changing, our face shape softening and less of that natural lift and plumpness in the skin. And naturally, that means the way that the light hits our face changes too—so embracing modern contouring techniques makes perfect sense. Rather than aiming for harsh contrast and stark definition (think the Kardashians circa 2011), contouring for mature skin is all about intelligent product placement and textures that melt into the complexion to create lift and warmth where you want it and to illuminate your face’s natural structure rather than totally change it.
