Contrast Makeup Theory? A Complete Guide To Understand Contrast In Color Analysis

We already know that Personal Colour Analysis is on the rise, but something that struck me today was the ‘makeup contrast theory,’ one of the biggest trends on TikTok right now (October 2024). I quickly researched and found dozens of websites, from personal blogs to big makeup brands, exploring this topic.

Interestingly, the contrast topic has been on my notes for a long time, and I even posted about it very briefly over a year ago.

Testing the Contrast makeup theory

When I saw so many people using the TikTok filter, and people around me talking about it, I had to stop what I was doing to write this blog as soon as possible!

But what is this so-called CONTRAST? In simple terms, personal contrast is the tonal difference between hair (including eyebrows), skin, and eyes. In other words, it's the difference between lighter and darker tones in our beauty. It’s like a natural pattern we all have on our faces, and the more we repeat our natural contrast (especially in areas close to our face, like makeup and hair), the more harmonious our appearance will be.

Make note of this, my friend: contrast is the key to Personal Colour Analysis. In the method I work with, contrast is the first thing to be analysed because when we find the contrast, we can already eliminate a few seasons.

Where did the contrast come from?

I would like to highlight that this “theory” has been used by Personal Colour Analysis professionals for a long time, before this filter was created and this trend emerged.

One of the first authors to address this topic was Carla Mathis and Hellen Connor (A Guide to Dressing Your Body, Your Beauty, Your Self ), when they discussed the importance of natural contrast and its repetition in outfits for a harmonious look.

Judith Rasband, in Wardrobe Strategies for Women, approached contrast with cosmetics in order to develop a desired image.

The Contrast Makeup Theory used in TikTok is based on 3 levels: low, medium, high; and that’s the point I disagree with this “trend.” As colour analysis developed from 4 seasons to 12 (and now to 16), contrast also received more categories. There is so much variety when it comes to skin and hair tones, that only 3 levels of contrast are not enough.

I personally prefer the theory of 5 (actually 7 in total) contrast levels:

How to apply contrast in our daily lives?

Contrast is not only great for makeup, but it is also helpful for:

• Hair colouring

• Eyewear

• Outfits (colour combinations and patterns)

• Communication

1 Contrast & Makeup

Makeup plays a crucial role in maintaining contrast harmony with your natural features. For individuals with low contrast, soft, natural tones help create a balanced look, while bold makeup can overpower and shift attention from your features to the makeup itself. Conversely, those with high contrast (e.g., dark hair and light skin) can often embrace dramatic looks like dark eyeliner or bold lipstick. However, using very light shades, like pale lipstick, can make high-contrast individuals appear tired.

Understanding contrast makeup theory helps you choose makeup that enhances your natural contrast, allowing you to create either harmony or contrast based on the image strategy you want to project. Whether you aim to maintain a natural look or embrace drama, the key is to align your makeup choices with your personal contrast level for the most flattering result.

Interesting fact: “According to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the more contrast a person's face has, the more it sends a message of strength. It is an almost imposing presence. On the contrary, low contrast is synonymous with approachability. (…) high contrast can project a strong, bold image, while low contrast can make someone appear more approachable and relatable.” (Fashion Your Way).

2 Contrast + Hair

Matching your natural contrast with your hair ensures balance and harmony in your look. While it’s often best to work within your natural contrast, collaborating with a Colour Consultant can help you strategically adjust your hair colour to enhance your image while keeping things in harmony.

Another key tool for hair colouring is Iris Analysis. By examining the colours and values (lights and darks) present in your iris, it's possible to recommend harmonious shades for both base and highlights colours. I’ll come back to this topic in the future, but for now, know that I already offer Iris Analysis as part of my Colour Analysis Consultation (face-to-face). Stay tuned!

3 Contrast + Colours and Patterns:

Colours also carry value, which refers to their lightness or darkness. Yellow, for example, is naturally very light in value, while indigo appears much darker. Check the colours desaturated below:

You can create contrast by pairing two colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel (complementary colours). On the other hand, colours near each other on the wheel (analogous) result in lower contrast.

The wrong colour contrast can overshadow your natural beauty or leave you looking washed out. Think about colours that help people focus on you, rather than just your outfit.

When you receive a compliment, do people actually compliment you or what you are wearing? If the first thing someone notices about you is your shirt, it’s likely too vibrant in a distracting way. Rather than complementing your beauty, it redirects attention to the part of your body wearing that colour.

For high-contrast individuals, pairing light and dark colours together creates a bold, dramatic look. For low-contrast individuals, softer colour pairings work better, like pastel blue with light grey.

We can also observe contrast in patterns. In this case, we consider both colour and size contrast.

4 Contrast + Eyewear

Eyewear is another area where contrast matters. If you are a high-contrast individual who is looking for harmony, you can opt for bold, dark frames. On the other hand, if you are a low-contrast person, you will benefit from softer, more blended frames. Choosing the right eyewear that complements your contrast level can enhance your natural features without overpowering them.

5 Personal Branding

All the items described above are very important if you want to keep a cohesive and harmonious image. But there are other aspects we need to consider: personality, lifestyle, job, preferences, and desired image.

You may have low contrast but wish to express seriousness and strength. Or perhaps you have medium-high contrast but want to communicate delicacy and approachability.

That’s why understanding what each contrast communicates is also important, and with help from a Colour & Style Consultant, you can develop a strategy that communicates what you desire while still enhancing your features.

What about you? Have you discovered your contrast? Let me know your experience with the so-famous filter in the comments below, or connect with Lari to create a visual strategy that communicates your authentic self!