LIGHTING IS KEY

Another thing to consider is lighting. What appears well-blended in bad lighting might actually be harsh and blotchy in natural light. That’s why you need to buff your contour in a well-lit area. “Do your makeup facing natural light, and not at an angle,” advises Marie. Larry is of the same mind in his approach, prioritising what looks best in the real world. “Stop being so hard-handed like you exist on Instagram. If you overdo your contour, you’re no better than a baked item at a deli!”

Like most makeup techniques, not all the rules of contouring are universal. It’s important to keep your face shape in mind. “Soft sculpting is about understanding your own features and defining the right parts of your face. For instance, if you already have hollow cheeks, there is no need to enhance it further,” says Melissa.

So, how can you tell if you’ve mastered the art of soft sculpting? “Your contour should still be visible, but it shouldn’t look like you leaned against a rusty metal pole that left a stain on your face,” says Larry. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.