Is Being "High Contrast" a Real Thing — Or Just Another TikTok Microtrend?

Here’s why beauty experts are attempting to debunk it.

Is Being "High Contrast" a Real Thing — Or Just Another TikTok Microtrend?

Here’s why beauty experts are attempting to debunk it.

Every so often, a new TikTok trend emerges and attempts to tell us the “correct way” to do our makeup. At one point, color analyses were seen as the end-all be-all in determining which makeup looks were most flattering — and now, the contrast level trend is striving to be an even simpler solution. Although some TikTokers have had success with it, makeup artists find that solely relying on your contrast level isn’t the most accurate way to obtain useful beauty advice.

When it comes to finding your contrast level, there are three overarching categories — “high contrast” meaning dark hair and eyes with fair skin, “low contrast” or light hair and eyes with fair skin or dark hair and eyes with deep skin and “medium contrast” for people that fall somewhere in between the two. The trend suggests that high contrast individuals suit bold makeup best, while those with low and medium contrast are more complemented by subtle makeup looks.

@sohnime I’ve got a bone to pick with the contrast filter and all the misinformation caused by it! #lowcontrast #highcontrast #contrastfilter #makeup #makeuptips #makeuptrend #mediumcontrast #trendingfilter ♬ original sound – Mora

The main criticism of contrast levels is that they’re a major oversimplification. While it’s true that certain people with high contrast might better suit dramatic makeup looks, not everyone will fall under three broad categories. Particularly, beauty experts cite that the trend’s biggest flaw is how it fails to take facial features in to account. When it comes to finding the most flattering glam, specific features often carry much more weight than contrast level alone.

@katiejanehughes Are you as confused as me weigh in in the comments below? #HighContrast #LowContrast #WhatIsContrast #MakeUpTrend #Viral #FYP #ItGettingALittleSilly ♬ original sound – Katiejanehughes

Beyond its obvious generality, the contrast trend also emphasizes the belief that rigid rules should be the determining factor in how we do our makeup — rather than highlighting unique attributes. Instead of only relying on your contrast level to dictate which makeup looks are worth trying out, it’s far more productive to reference things like undertone, eye shape and complementary colors to formulate the most flattering makeup looks.