Here's How To Nail The Underpainting Makeup Trend In 3 Easy Steps

The first and foremost step for nailing the underpainting technique is to get the skin prep right. A smooth canvas makes it easy to work on and you have to put 10 times less effort on skin work if your skin's already in good shape. So, start by exfoliating your face with a chemical exfoliant (like The Ordinary AHA + BHA Peeling Solution) that's not too harsh but also gets the job done by clearing out the gunk. Follow it up with your usual skincare routine with an emphasis on hydration. Try incorporating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalene or ceramides to hydrate the skin before the layers of makeup that are to follow.

Then, bring in the primers, preferably hydrating ones. Stray away from mattifying primers unless your face is extremely oily and you know you absolutely can't go forward without them. Or, try targeting the extremely oily patches (like your T-zone) with a pore-filling primer to keep the oil secretion on a low. You can also skip priming altogether if your skin doesn't require the extra step.

LBB's Picks: The Ordinary AHA + BHA Peeling Solution, L'Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Suganda Squalane Ceramide Moisturiser

Now, we start with the (under) painting! Grab a cream-based contour or bronzer, whatever you fancy for snatching your face and start laying out the map work for sculpting your features. The idea is to highlight the high points of your face or the spots you want to give the illusion of looking lighter in contrast to the bronzed areas. If you feel lost about the placement, just apply the concealer under the eyes, down the bridge of the nose, and blend to make it seamless with the previously applied contour. Mary Philips calls this step 'laying down the bones under the skin'.

After buffing out your cream contour with a stifling brush, go in with your brightening concealer (a shade or two lighter than your usual shade) or stick to the concealer shade close to your skin tone to avoid looking ashy or grey by any chance.

LBB's Picks: Nudestix Sculpt Stick, Too Faced Sculpting Concealer, Milagro Beauty Dual-Ended Cream Brush.

Now comes the crucial step of applying the foundation. Start with buffing out one pump of your favourite foundation on the centre of your face i.e. start from your cheeks and buff the foundation out towards your hairline with stifling motions. I would recommend using a sheer to medium coverage foundation for a skin-like finish or getting your hands on a skin tint with enough coverage to give a fresh-faced non-cakey finish. Try using very small amounts of foundation and sheering it by blending it well into the skin as much as you can. The next thing to do is apply a liquid/cream blush on the apples of your cheek for a flush of colour. To seal the deal, secure the hard work you did on underpainting by dusting a lighter layer of loose powder. 

LBB's Picks: Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator, Makeup Revolution Superdewy Liquid Blush, Kay Beauty Translucent Loose Powder.