It seems that every other week there's a new replacement trend for contouring. Once Kim Kardashian dubbed it the technique of the past, we've been quick to find alternative ways to shape our cheekbones It's already been trumped by clown contouring, strobing, and nontouring, and now the draping technique is taking over. So, what is draping and how is it different?
In order to explain that, we need to look back to the '60s and the father of contouring: Way Bandy. Bandy was a renowned makeup artist during the Swinging Sixties and, according to PopSugar, has worked with the likes of Cher, Farrah Fawcett, and Diana Ross, because they favored his natural but transformative techniques. And most importantly, he wanted beauty lovers to learn "how to sculpt based on their unique features, not face shape, which was a revolutionary concept at the time," as reported by PopSugar. He was all about embracing your own beauty, rather than copying somebody else's.
Marc Jacobs is pushing for a draping comeback in 2016 via his beauty brand's latest offering. According to PopSugar, "This Summer, Marc Jacobs Beauty will be releasing Air Blush Soft Glow Duo ($42), a compact consisting of two complementary cheek hues that can be used separately or together to create a luminous flush."
In a nutshell, draping is basically contouring using blush. Cosmopolitan explained, "Essentially, draping, is giving your face a sculpted glow using blush as opposed to a dark contouring product, 'draping' your angles in colour — hence the name. The result is a softer, fresher approach to definition."
Rather than having a more tanned and highlighted look that contouring is favored for, you'll have a flushed but chiseled complexion that the '70s favored so much. You'll look like you just walked off of Studio 54's dance floor, all a-glow and fabulous. The following diagram from the Marc Jacobs Instagram account gives you a good idea of how to achieve the look.
According to Teen Vogue, the makeup duo will be available in Sephora in the fall, so you won't have too wait too much longer to experiment with it yourself. In the meantime you can practice with some of the blush palettes you already have at home!
Make Bandy proud and drape this week. The following videos will help you master the technique.
1. The Basics
This video gives you a comprehensive look at the basics of draping.
2. Natural Contour
Here, makeup artist Spencer Barnes demonstrates a more traditional, but very natural contour.
3. Blush For Different Face Shapes
Wayne Goss shows you how to apply blush the right way for your face shape. He compares the fourth technique, which is geared toward rounder cheeks, to contouring.
4. "Cool Girl" Blush
OK, so this technique uses cream highlighter as blush, but it's another way to meld contouring and blushing.
5. Blush Placement
This video isn't really about contouring, but Goss suggests a way to place blush on your face that will give your cheekbones a boost.
6. One Product Tutorial
Allison McNamara shows you how to do a full face with just one product.
Happy draping!
Images: marcbeauty/Instagram
