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Cosmetic Surgery: Make It Up!

make up to create illusion of cosmetic surgery

How many of us have those days when we look in the mirror and wish we could alter one or two body parts? Erase those crow’s feet perhaps? Or add depth to our cleavage?

In that moment we have two choices – either make peace with our human imperfections or make changes. If you are leaning towards the latter, the next step does not have to equate to cosmetic surgery.

Illusion is your best friend when it involves creating new shapes and contours. All the tools you need are in your makeup bag. Here is how to wield them.

 

Facial Contouring

 

Bobbi-Brown

 

Eyes

Start with your eyebrows. Thin, light eyebrows add years to the face so if yours are sparse, get a stiff angled brow brush, a pot of brow powder and a spoolie (resembles a mascara wand). Use the brush to lightly dust the powder in the direction of your hair growth. Then use the spoolie to brush the hairs up and out to blend and remove excess powder for a more natural look.

When covering up crow’s feet, go easy on the make-up. A heavy application will make the lines more obvious. Use a concealer to brighten the area under the outer third of your lower lashes, then lightly dab a creamy highlighter just below the lines.

We love: Bobbi Brown’s Eye Brow Brush, Light and Dark Brow Kits and Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch Up

 

Nose

The cardinal rule of a nose job is less is more. Apply a strip of highlighter down both sides of your nose to create a slimming effect. Then blend a powder foundation (a shade darker than your skin) into the tip of the nose, followed by a dab of highlighter on the tip to even it out.

We love: Lancome’s Le Duo Stick

 

Beauty blogger, Maryam Maquillage, offers more contouring tips in her tutorial below.

 

 

Cleavage Contouring

 

Diorskin

 

To create cleavage depth, use a small blush brush to dust bronzer (a shade darker than your skin) between your breasts. Then picture a “Y” shape between your breasts and sweep the bronzer up and along those lines.

For an illusion of fuller breasts, choose a concealer one or two shades lighter than your skin tone and apply it along the upper half of your breasts and on the inside of the “Y” shape, directly on the chest bone.

We love: Christian Dior’s Diorskin Star Concealer and Diorskin Nude Air Tan Powder

 

 

Arm Contouring

 

Chanel

 

Bicep beauty is easy. It is our triceps that keep us from wearing sleeveless tops. This is job for a waterproof matte bronzer and an illuminator. Buff the length of your triceps (from elbow to armpit) with the bronzer. The matte will absorb light and make the area look smaller. The illuminator will create more definition so dust it on the peaks of your shoulders for a toned, sculpted look.

If you only have a bronzer, then flex your muscles and use a contour brush to sweep a line of bronzer between the tricep and bicep muscles. Blend the colour in well. Another alternative is to apply your favourite self-tan between the bicep and tricep muscles. Once it dries, slather on a tanning moisturiser. This will give your arms a healthy glow and highlight the muscles.

We love: Chanel’s Limited Edition Illuminating Powder and Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base

 

 

Leg Contouring

 

LM-Aesop

 

The fastest route to younger looking legs involves a moisturiser and a bronzer as darker, hydrated legs tend to appear firmer and youthful. Slather on the moisturiser followed by the bronzer.

When applied differently, that bronzer will create an illusion of leaner legs. First, exfoliate for a smooth base. Then apply the bronzer in a circular motion on the legs to prevent streaking. Finally add a touch of highlighter down the centre of each leg and blend well.

We love: laura mercier’s Bronzing Gel, and Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Scrub and Body Balm

 

What tricks do you have in your makeup bag to give your body that extra help?

 

(Main image credit: S.H.P.)

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