Connect the dots

Dot contouring is taking over social media as an alternative to layering make-up. A make-up artist examines if the trend lives up to its hype

Whether you’re an occasional make-up user or sport a full-face beat on the regular, chances are you’ve tried your hand at contouring. It’s also likely that you’ve discovered that without careful blending, you’re likely to look like a striped mess. This is where a new contour routine that’s making the rounds on social media promises to do things differently. Called the dot contour technique (ostensibly for the manner in which products are applied to the face), it claims to do away with the stress of layering to create a fresher aesthetic.

Sneh Sharma

“The technique involves applying highlight, shadow, and mid-tones in small dots, and then blending them out. Some people also add blush and eye shadow to the process to further cut down on steps. At the very least, you’ll need a highlighting concealer that is two shades lighter than your skin tone, some type of bronzing product and foundation,” explains make-up artist Sneh Sharma. Apply the concealer under your eyes, down your nose, on your forehead, on your chin, along your upper lip, and under your cheekbone. Add the bronzer on the sides of your nose, along your jawline, along the hollows of your cheekbones, and on your temples along your hairline. Finally, dot the remaining area with the foundation. Use a sponge to blend out the products — start with the lightest shade and work towards the darkest. This is a time-consuming process, Sharma says and, antithetically, uses larger amounts of product than you typically would. To avoid a cake-y look, blend the make-up thoroughly.  

To get this process right, Sharma recommends adding far fewer dots than you see on social media. She also clarifies that the process is extremely time-consuming. If you have an uneven skin texture, it can accentuate it. Trying to add your eye make-up to the mix can be a risky move as it can end up looking blotchy.

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