The side effects of contouring

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One of the latest trends amongst makeup gurus and fanatics alike has been the art of face- and body-contouring. For those not in the loop about cosmetics, contouring is when various types of skin-toned makeup are applied to areas of the face and body in order to accentuate the natural highlights and shadows that give a specific area its structure — or in some cases, a lack thereof.

Popular areas for contouring include the hollows of the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Recently, cleavage contouring has taken the spotlight in an effort to make certain features look bigger or smaller.

What started out as a technique for makeup artists working in photo shoots has since turned into something that has become a part of numerous women’s and men’s daily routines. Contouring may seem like nothing more than a few thoughtfully-placed brush strokes, but it is actually quite an intricate technique that takes a lot of practice and can change a face dramatically.

Because of this, several people argue that a man should take a girl swimming before he decides to lock her down in order to make sure the face she is displaying is not, in fact, reliant on make-up. While this argument is problematic in itself, there are other stigmas to excessive contouring all the same.

The battle between society and self-esteem is ever-present in today’s world. People constantly feel the need to have smaller waists and bigger muscles in order to be accepted by the glamorous populous.

Having smaller noses, higher cheekbones and bigger busts are all what makes contouring makeup magic, but how beneficial can this actually be as men and women alike attempt to become more confident?

Sure, once the highlighter and bronzer have hidden every single insecurity that keeps those who have them awake at night, making it through the day will be easier.

However, once the evening comes to a close and the makeup wipes and facial wash replace the foundation on self-conscious features, it seems like steps are being taken backwards rather than forwards.

While makeup is fun and no one should be discriminated against or treated as if they are undeserving of a relationship for wearing it, the benefits it provides should be treated as one step on the way to self-acceptance rather than the finish line. Being comfortable and confident with one’s natural appearance is of the utmost importance when it comes to being happy. Spending hours every morning painting on a new face means nothing if someone is still afraid to go out in public with naked skin.

When contouring becomes a daily thing, the side of themselves that people become most comfortable presenting to the world is the side that is temporary — the side that is not who they really are. People are born with round faces, smaller chests, button noses and big foreheads. All of this is natural and equally as beautiful as the faces produced through contouring.

Furthermore, makeup is very personal and highly subjective. What contouring is to some may be completely different to others.

Labeling the usage of an entire cosmetic technique as distrustful when it comes to the appearance of those who use it is shallow and ignorant. Filling in the hollows of one’s cheeks may be the only thing that gives them credence to take on the day ahead.

Be that as it may, self-acceptance should always remain of utmost importance. Spending hundreds of dollars on products that will only provide one with temporary satisfaction is not the way to go out being comfortable in one’s own skin.

At the end of the day, everyone has dark circles under their eyes, the occasional blemish and patchy eyebrows. That is just the way the human body works.

Until society can understand that, there will always be an underlying compulsion to wake up and look like a Kardashian because the magazines and television commercials say so. In spite of that, it is pointless to stress the things that cannot be changed. Everyone has their fair share of flaws, and with that comes the chance to experience the liberating feeling of acceptance.

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