Every other day seems to bring a new beauty trend to our feeds, but the latest one, “contrast makeup,” might just be the most intriguing yet. All over TikTok, users are diving into the “contrast theory” of makeup, a method that claims to highlight your unique beauty by analyzing the contrast between your skin, eyes, and hair tones. While you don’t need to invest in new products to make it work, it might require you to give your makeup routine a little shakeup.
So, what’s behind the “contrast makeup” craze? The trend, spearheaded by French makeup artist Ali Enor, uses a filter that categorizes your face into one of three levels—low, medium, or high contrast. Low contrast features typically include softer distinctions between skin, eye, and hair color, while high contrast is all about striking differences, like fair skin with dark hair or deeper skin with lighter highlights. If you’re in between, you’d fall under medium contrast, where your features balance out without extreme variation.
@alieenor My favourite glow up tip is playing with contrast to get more confidence ✨ #contrastlevel #mediumcontrast #highcontrast #emmawatson ♬ son original – Alieenor 🧡
Once you know your contrast level, the theory suggests corresponding makeup styles to enhance your natural look. Low contrast? Go for subtle, natural tones with minimal makeup for a soft, harmonious appearance. High contrast? Embrace bold makeup with dramatic eyes and rich lip colors for a striking look that complements your vivid features. Medium contrast types are encouraged to play with a little color, choosing understated smokey eyes or muted lips that fall between natural and bold.
Enor, who first introduced this concept on TikTok, explains her inspiration as rooted in helping people find the makeup that truly enhances their individual features. She shared her own journey in discovering her contrast level, noting how it allowed her to avoid makeup looks that “washed her out.”
With over 52,000 videos now tagged under this trend, TikTokers everywhere are eagerly experimenting with the filter and sharing their results. And whether you’re trying low, medium, or high contrast, it’s a fun, easy way to see your face in a whole new light—without a single shopping trip.
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