As an aging millennial who learned makeup from YouTubers like pioneering Michelle Phan and K-beauty guru Pony’s Makeup, making the 15-second transition to TikTok with a Gen Z perspective has been nothing short of amusing and enlightening. Here are my three favorite trends. They all require minimal product. It’s all about a new (or old-made-new) way of application where creating a lifting effect is the priority. Not that the young need it, but it’s always fun to learn new ways of doing things.
Lip contouring
The industry-secret style of lip contouring (originating from theater in the 1500s), made mainstream by icon Kevyn Aucoin in the ‘90s (where you strategically apply a contour-shade lip liner instead of shade-matching your lipstick), is back for the younger set to enjoy. Lost on what contour shade to try? I like Nars’ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama.
2016 vs 2021 makeup challenge
Having been a full-blown beauty girl in 2016, seeing the comparison side-by-side is interesting because back then, I believed the way I did my makeup wasn’t too drastic. Seeing TikTokkers do one half of their faces in these two different makeup styles, I have a good laugh now at what I believed to look “natural” then. 2021 is all about dewier skincare of skin tints and illuminators; concealer only on the tear troughs, the end of the eyes, and any ruddiness around the nose and lips (Nars’ Radiant Creamy Concealer is a crowd favorite for a reason); softer, feathered brows; natural lashes; eyeliner applied only a fine flick, and strategic blush.
Strategic blush
The TikTok way is to apply blush to create face shape illusions based on where it’s applied. The rule is to apply it in small areas. Adding it to the apex of your cheekbones creates a lifting effect while applying it directly over the hollows adds fullness. The iconic Nars Orgasm works for this, as well as something with superfine sheen like Nars’ new Uninhibited Blush Duo, an oversized palette featuring bestsellers Deep Throat, a soft pink with golden sheen, and Tempted, a shimmering beige. Both are in superfine, micronized powder pigments, which means silky application with a soft-focus finish.
You’re going to need something matte to use blush as something like contour. Applying a thin, well-blended line of it directly under the cheekbones enhances them. Patting it across the nose for the “drunk blush” effect also works to subtly slim the bride of your nose. Nars’ Full Dimension limited-edition cheek palettes feature a matte blush complemented by highlighter, shimmering blush, and bronzer.
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