Forget about applying makeup to your face shape: a new TikTok trend insists that the most important thing is the “visual weight” of your features.
Foregoing traditional heart, diamond, square or oval shapes, the concept insists that you’ll look better if you find out whether you have a high or low “visual weight” face.
Those with a high “visual weight” like British singer Dua Lipa and Angelina Jolie should embrace contouring, avoid bronzer, over-line their lips, and opt for dark eyeshadows on their lids.
On the other hand, if you boast a low “visual weight” face like that of Bridgerton stars Phoebe Dynevor and Simone Ashley, then ditch contouring for blush, bronzer, and a beige lip color.
The idea is that faces with low “visual weight” are better suited to more natural-looking makeup, while features with high “visual weight” can take on a bolder look with their cosmetics.
Angelina Jolie has a face of high “visual weight” (pictured left on October 27, 2021 in London). Simone Ashley boasts a face with low “visual weight” (pictured on the right on March 9, 2023, in West Hollywood)
Determining whether you have one or the other depends on the distinctiveness of your bone structure and the size of your facial features.
High “visual weight” refers to people who have more prominent features that really grab attention, such as large eyes and lips and high cheekbones.
Meanwhile, a low “visual weight” suggests that you have softer features, like Hailey Bieber, whose features like her nose, cheeks, and lips aren’t very noticeable compared to the rest of her face.
TiTokers across the UK and US have suggested that faces with high “visual weight” can easily achieve glamorous makeup looks.
Those with the opposite “visual weight” should prefer more subtle styles, like a “clean girl” vibe. It is a pink blush and nude lips, for example.
A TikToker (hellojessicaa) explained: ‘Everyone talks about high or low visual weight, so what is it? And how can it help you shine and change the way you do makeup in 2024?
‘So understanding what your ‘visual weight’ is will give you a clear way to understand which style will best suit your features.
‘Do you have a big face with small features or a small face with big features? Does it have a high nose bridge from one side or does it have a lower nose bridge from one side?
Rihanna, photographed on the left in Hollywood last year, boasts a face of high “visual weight.” Phoebe Dynevor (pictured right) is the perfect example of a low “visual weight” face
Lady Gaga has a face of high “visual weight”, in the photo on the left. Gabrielle Union, in the photo on the right, boasts a face with low “visual weight”
‘You can also try taking a selfie and turning it into black and white. I like to use the mono option.
‘Take a screenshot and in one of the selfies set the contrast to negative 100 and in the other selfie set it to positive 100. If your features are lighter in low contrast, you probably have low visual weight.
‘And if they are lighter in high contrast, it could have a high visual weight. But this is not 100 percent accurate.
‘If you have a lower visual weight, you will want to use more muted and less vibrant makeup tones to increase the visual presence of your features.
‘With high visual weight, you’ll want to enhance the well-defined features you already have or create a warmer impression. Try to use a deep red lipstick, not a vibrant orange one.
The TikToker continued: ‘If you’re still confused, whether you have high or low visual weight, I recommend just doing makeup both ways and seeing which one you like better.
‘Because at the end of the day, don’t pay too much attention to it. Simply wear your makeup however you want and in the style you feel most confident in. x
Makeup expert Laura Kay insisted that it is “essential to consider how these techniques can be used to create a balanced and harmonious overall makeup look.”
Dua Lipa, pictured left attending the Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, has a high “visual weight” face. Hailey Bieber (pictured right) has a low “visual weight” face
She told FEMAIL: ‘By adapting high and low visual weight techniques to each facial section, you can create a cohesive, well-balanced makeup look that effectively enhances your features.
‘For the eyes, high visual weight can involve using vibrant, intense eyeshadow colors, dramatic shapes of eyeliner, and bold mascara to draw attention and create a focal point.
‘In contrast, a low eye weight visual would focus on softer, more neutral tones, subtle eyeliner styles, and natural-looking lashes for a more understated effect.
‘For lips, high visual weight means bold lip colors, glossy finishes and defined lip contours/lines to make a statement.
‘Meanwhile, low visual weight would include muted lip shades, matte textures and blended lip products for a more subtle and natural look.
‘For the cheeks, a high visual weight could include a heavy application of blush and strategic highlights to emphasize the cheekbones.
‘Keep the contour or highlight high and sharp. The overall look with your concealer will look more angular.
‘On the other hand, low visual weight cheeks would imply a lighter hand with blush application, bronzer with a natural blush and minimal highlights for a softer glow. Keeping the application in the center of the cheek.’