What is contrast makeup?

TikTok's personalised approach to enhancing your features

In the ever-evolving world of beauty trends, where new techniques and viral challenges seem to emerge daily, one makeup theory has managed to break through the noise: contrast makeup.

Unlike fleeting trends that require an arsenal of new products, contrast makeup focuses on maximising what you already have by aligning your makeup choices with your natural contrast levels.

The concept was introduced by French makeup artist Aliénor Enor on TikTok, where her explanatory video and custom-created filters quickly went viral. The theory builds on a simple idea: the contrast between your hair, skin, and eye colour determines which makeup styles will best complement your natural appearance.

Low, medium, and high

At its core, contrast makeup divides people into three categories: low, medium, and high contrast. Identifying where you fall is made easier with Enor's TikTok filter. Users begin by selecting their skin tone—light, medium, or deep—before assessing how their hair, eyes, and overall colouring align with the contrast categories.

Low contrast people have minimal difference between skin tone, hair, and eye colour. For example, someone with fair skin, light hair, and light eyes falls into this category. Medium contrast people have subtle differences between skin, hair, and eyes—think slightly darker hair or eyes against lighter skin. High contrast people have dramatic differences, such as very light skin paired with dark hair and eyes, or deep skin with light or brightly coloured hair.

Each category comes with its own set of guidelines for achieving balance and harmony through makeup. For those with low contrast, the aim is to create a soft, dreamy appearance where no single feature dominates. Enor recommends using light, subtle tones that enhance rather than overpower your natural colouring.

Blush shades close to your natural flush—think soft peach or muted rose—work best. Similarly, under-eye concealers should match your skin tone closely, avoiding overly bright or stark highlights. Eye makeup should remain gentle, with light browns or neutral tones instead of deep, smoky hues.

Medium contrast individuals have a bit more freedom to play with intensity, but balance remains the key word. If you fall into this category, your goal is to add subtle pops of colour without overshadowing your natural contrast.

Enor suggests slightly bolder blush tones and lipsticks with richer pigments, such as berry or mauve shades. For eye makeup, nudes, taupes, and warm browns are your best friends. A soft smoky eye paired with a complementary lipstick shade ensures that no single feature feels overly emphasised.

For high-contrast individuals, boldness isn't just an option—it's encouraged. Dark lashes, dramatic eyeliner, and intense lip shades all come together to create a striking balance.

Interestingly, the aim isn't to heighten the existing contrast but to soften it through makeup. Think deep reds, plums, or saturated browns for lips, paired with strong eyeliner or graphic eyeshadow looks. Alternatively, bold lips with minimal eye makeup also create an effortlessly chic aesthetic.

Makeup as a filter

Enor compares the contrast makeup theory to editing a photo. When adjusting contrast in an image, increasing it makes the shadows deeper and the highlights sharper, while lowering it creates a softer, more blended effect. Makeup, she explains, works in much the same way.

For low-contrast individuals, the goal is to keep everything blended and seamless. Medium-contrast faces can handle slightly heightened saturation, while high-contrast individuals can embrace bold distinctions between light and dark shades.

While makeup remains a deeply personal form of self-expression, trends like contrast makeup offer helpful guidelines for those seeking a more polished, cohesive look.