Makeup is more than a path to beauty—it’s a transformative art that can redefine your entire look. Certain techniques hold the magic to visually lift the face, imparting a more youthful and radiant structure. From soft contouring to precisely placed blush, artists and enthusiasts alike swear by these clever tricks. Here are 13 quick and easy makeup hacks, delivered with Cosmo-level flair, to help you master the art of the lift.
1. **Curvy Contour Cut**: The viral ‘curvy contour cut’ hack has taken social media by storm, promising the illusion of perfect cheekbones without invasive procedures. Conceived by beauty influencer Kripa Patel Joshi, this technique involves using concealer under your blush in a curved motion. Instead of the traditional straight line, a curved line creates a more natural lift. After application, gently diffuse the concealer line with a bronzer or blush brush. This hack is said to ‘fake the perfect cheekbone,’ offering a lifted, defined look that can be achieved with practice and the right tools.
Here’s a fantastic find on Amazon: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer in shade 100. It’s currently priced at $8.80 and boasts an impressive 4.4-star rating from over 220,560 reviews, a testament to its quality from the trusted brand Maybelline.
2. **Strategic Blush Placement**: The placement of blush can dramatically change the appearance of your face. For a lifting effect, apply blush higher on the cheekbones and blend it upwards towards the temples. This technique works well for round faces, providing an added lift and a more chiseled look. By choosing the right blush shade and blending it correctly, you can create an illusion of higher cheekbones and a slimmer face.
Another gem from Amazon is the SHEGLAM Color Bloom Liquid Blush in ‘Love Cake’. This matte-finish blush is a steal at $6.99, earning a stellar 4.5-star rating from more than 8,261 users, showcasing the brand SHEGLAM’s commitment to popular beauty products.
3. **Snatched Jawline with Contour**: Achieving a defined jawline doesn’t require expensive treatments. Contouring can work wonders by creating shadows that sculpt the face. Apply a dark contour shade along your jawline and blend seamlessly. This technique helps to create a snatched jawline, giving the face a more structured appearance. Pair it with a highlighter on the chin to accentuate the lift further.
Product on Amazon: L’Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion, Natural Glow Enhancer, Illuminator Highlighter, Bronzing Drops For a Sun-Kissed Glow, 902 Light
Price: $13.98
Rating: 4.6 with 42,635 ratings
Brand: L’Oréal Paris
4. A touch of illuminating highlighter applied strategically to the high points of your face, like your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose, can dramatically enhance a lifted effect, creating a beautiful, ethereal glow that naturally catches the light. When you choose a highlighter with a subtle sheen instead of chunky glitter, you maintain a fresh, youthful appearance that draws attention to those lifted areas.
Each hack is simple yet effective, allowing you to play with different makeup techniques and find the ones that work best for your face shape. With a little practice and experimentation, these hacks can become a staple in your beauty routine, helping you achieve a lifted, fresh-faced look anytime you desire.
5. **Lifted Eyes with Liner Magic**: Welcome to the world of eyeliner wizardry, where a mere flick of the wrist can change the architecture of your face. To elevate and open up your eyes—giving them an alluring, lifted appearance—use a well-sharpened eyeliner pencil or liquid liner to create a cat-eye effect. The trick lies in the upward stroke at the outer corners of your eyes. By extending the line slightly upwards, you create a subtle wing that mimics the lift of an eye lift, minus the surgery.
Pair this technique with a touch of highlighter at the inner corners of your eyes to brighten and open them up even more. This combination not only lifts but also makes the eyes appear larger and more awake. The result is an effortlessly glamorous look that can transition seamlessly from day to night.
Discover the e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner on Amazon, a creamy, ultra-pigmented, and long-lasting option in Grey. Priced at just $4.93, it has garnered a 4.4-star rating from over 24,074 reviews, highlighting its reliable performance from the e.l.f. brand.
6. **Luscious Lips with a Defined Lip Line**: Who knew that the perfect pout could play a role in lifting your face? By defining your lip line with a slightly darker lip liner and filling in with your favorite lipstick shade, you can enhance not just your lips, but your entire facial structure. Start by outlining just outside your natural lip line using a liner that complements your lipstick. This will give the illusion of fuller, more youthful lips, lifting the lower part of your face.
Adding a subtle touch of gloss right in the center of your bottom lip can create a wonderfully plump effect, catching and reflecting light to give your lips a lifted and lusciously full appearance. This simple yet effective technique is a game-changer for achieving that coveted voluminous lip look, which in turn, beautifully accentuates the overall symmetry and balance of your entire face.
Product on Amazon: Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner Makeup with Built-in-Sharpener, Longwear Rich Colors, Smooth Application, 660 Mauve, 0.01 Oz
Price: $8.48
Rating: 4.5 with 14,332 ratings
Brand: Revlon
7. **Brow Lift with Precision Shaping**: Your eyebrows have a silent yet powerful influence on your facial features. A well-groomed brow can transform and lift your face to new heights. The key is to shape your brows with precision, focusing on a slight arch that draws attention upwards. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas, starting from the inner brow and working your way out. The finishing touch? A highlighter just beneath the brow arch to further elevate and enhance the lift.
This technique not only frames your face but also creates an illusion of lifted eyes, contributing to an overall youthful appearance. Whether natural or bold, perfectly shaped brows can make a significant difference in how lifted and lively your face appears.
Product on Amazon: Real Techniques Brow Styling Set, For Lifting Brows, Fill & Style, Dual-ended Makeup Brushes, Full Kit for Eyebrows, Get Full, Laminated, or Natural Brows, Multiuse Tools, 3 Piece Set
Price: $5.65
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Brand: Real Techniques Store
8. **Sculpted Cheeks with Dual-Toned Blush**: Double the hues, double the lift. By using two different shades of blush, you can achieve a multidimensional lift that accentuates your cheekbones. Apply a lighter shade directly on your cheekbones and a slightly darker shade just beneath. This creates a gradient effect that not only adds color but also sculpts and lifts.
Blending is crucial, so use a fluffy brush to ensure a seamless transition between the two shades. This technique is particularly effective for those with naturally round faces, offering a fresh, lifted look that’s both modern and vibrant.
Product on Amazon: Mellow Dual Blush | RD02 Another Me | Dual Color, Jelly Texture, 12 Colors, Longwear, Long-lasting | 7.2g
Price: $20.00
Rating: 3.9 with 14 ratings
Brand: fwee
9. **Youthful Glow with Dewy Skincare Prep**: The journey to a lifted look begins with a perfectly prepped canvas. Start by using hydrating products that give your skin a dewy, fresh finish. Think of serums and moisturizers packed with hyaluronic acid that plump up the skin and provide a luminous base for your makeup.
This dewy prep not only enhances the lift by making the skin appear firmer but also keeps your makeup looking fresh throughout the day. The result is a radiant, youthful glow that complements and elevates the lifting effects of your makeup.
Check out this Vitamin C Face Serum on Amazon, a powerful dark spot remover also containing Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, and Vitamin E for anti-aging and skin brightening. It’s priced at $9.98 with a 4.3-star rating from over 44,947 reviews, from the Eclat Skincare Store brand.
10. **Defined Nasal Contour for Balance**: A well-defined nose can bring balance and symmetry to your lifted look. Lightly contour the sides of your nose with a matte bronzer or contour powder, focusing on the bridge and tip. This technique subtly reshapes the nose, drawing the eyes upwards and contributing to the overall harmony of your facial features.
Pair this contouring with a touch of highlighter on the bridge of the nose to add dimension and enhance the lift. It’s a quick, simple step that can make a noticeable difference in achieving a more lifted appearance.
Product on Amazon: KYDA Face Sculpting Contour Palette, Smooth Matte Contour Pressed Powder, Ultra-fine Lightweight, Easy to Blend, Multiuse Baked Contour Makeup-TAUPE
Price: $9.99
Rating: 4.3 with 2,394 ratings
Brand: KYDA
11. **Smoky Lids for Depth and Dimension**: Embrace the allure of smoky eyes to bring depth and drama to your makeup look, enhancing your face-lifting efforts. Using a blend of dark eyeshadows, create a smoky effect that pulls upwards at the outer corners. This not only adds intensity but also contributes to the illusion of lifted, elongated eyes.
The smoky eye technique can be tailored from subtle to bold, making it versatile for any occasion. It’s a classic trick with a modern twist, perfect for adding a touch of sophistication and edge to your lifted look.
Product on Amazon: wet n wild Color Icon Eyeshadow – Ultra-Pigmented, Vitamin E Infused for a Silky-Smooth Moisturizing Application, Cruelty-Free & Vegan – Panther
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Brand: wet n wild
12. To really boost that lifting effect, strategic highlighting can bring a gorgeous touch of radiance to your skin by applying a highlighter to the highest points of your face, including your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your Cupid’s bow, which all work together to catch the light and create a stunning, ethereal glow. This application not only emphasizes the areas you want to appear lifted but also bestows a fresh, youthful luminosity upon your complexion, making you look and feel revitalized.
Choosing a highlighter formula that offers a soft, natural sheen rather than overt, heavy glitter is key to maintaining an appearance that looks effortlessly natural and sophisticated. This thoughtful choice ensures that you are highlighting the lifted areas effectively while also bestowing a fresh, youthful luminosity upon your entire complexion, making you look radiant.
13. Sometimes, the most effective lift isn’t solely achieved through makeup; subtle hair highlights strategically placed around your face can beautifully illuminate your features and draw immediate attention to your eyes and cheekbones. These carefully chosen highlights act as a natural frame for your face, significantly enhancing the overall lifted appearance created by your makeup.
Whether you decide on just a few delicate sun-kissed streaks or perhaps a more striking balayage technique, incorporating hair highlights can introduce a wonderful touch of warmth and dimension to your look. This addition beautifully complements your unique facial features and significantly contributes to achieving that desirable overall lifted and refreshed appearance.
As you embark on your face-lifting makeup journey, remember that each technique can be tailored to suit your unique features and preferences. The joy of makeup lies in its versatility, allowing you to experiment and express yourself. With these expert-backed hacks, you can add a playful lift to your daily routine, embracing your beauty with confidence and flair.
