I Tried the "Supermodel Face-Lift" Makeup Technique Taking Over TikTok
Another day, another makeup technique going viral on TikTok. We've seen tons of TikTok makeup trends get popular over the past few years—from dot contouring to underpainting to "I'm cold" makeup—and there's no indication that TikTok makeup will start slowing down any time soon. The latest makeup trend that keeps popping up on my For You page is called the "supermodel face-lift," and after seeing it consistently gain more and more momentum, I decided it was time I tried it for myself.
Inspired by the lifted look we see on models such as Bella Hadid, this makeup trend is all about giving your features an upward illusion. It's fairly easy to understand: For every product you put on your face, make sure that it's trending in an upward direction so it doesn't look like anything is pulling you down. I followed along step-by-step with a TikTok explaining the trend, and the results are honestly pretty impressive.
Step 1: Brows
I started by brushing my brows up using a brow gel, making sure to only brush in an upward direction. From there, I used a pencil to elongate the tails of my brows, creating an extended eye area.
Step 2: Base Makeup
After perfecting my brows, I prepped my skin and applied foundation all over my face using a brush.
This mousse moisturiser is lightweight, making it the perfect base for makeup, while the addition of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) leave skin calm and comfortable.
I love how well this foundation works to even my skin tone and cancel redness without looking cakey.
This foundation brush is a bit smaller than most on the market, allowing more control during application.
Step 3: Nose Contour
After foundation, it was time to go in with some contour on my nose. I traced contour on the sides of my nose, connecting it with my brows. Then, I drew a small circle at the tip of my nose to give it a more upturned appearance.
I always reach for this contour because it's blendable and cool toned, which helps create realistic-looking shadows.
A smaller brush for nose contouring lets you be as precise as possible.
Step 4: Highlighting and Contouring
I typically match my concealer to my foundation in order to create a seamless blend, but for this, I reached for a concealer about two shades lighter than my foundation. I swiped it on under my eyes, the outer corners of my eyes, the bridge of my nose, and the tip of my nose. To create shadows and definition, I took my contour under my cheekbones and through my jawline, swiped it up from under my brow bone and into my eyelid crease, and applied some around the perimeter of my forehead. I blended everything out using a damp Beautyblender and set my under-eye concealer using a loose powder.
This brightening concealer is ideal for highlighting the high points of your face.
This finely milled, pink-toned powder will always be my holy grail.
Step 5: Blush
Blush is the key part of this makeup trend. I used a liquid blush and applied three small dots on each cheek, starting just above the apples of my cheeks and ending at my temples. I used the same damp Beautyblender to melt the blush into my face, making sure to blend it into my hairline for a lifted appearance.
Rare Beauty's blushes are extremely pigmented and blend into skin so well.
Step 6: Eye Definition
To finish my eyes, I tapped in a bit of light-brown eye shadow on the outer corners of my brows and through my crease. I used liquid brown eyeliner to give myself a slight wing.
The marker-like tip on this eyeliner helps you draw an extremely precise cat eye.
Step 7: Lips
This type of makeup is more about the eyes, so I kept the lips minimal with a pink-toned lip oil that pulled everything together. I finished with mascara, concentrating on my upper lashes.
This lip oil is universally flattering and also gives lips a boost of hydration.
This lengthening and lifting mascara helps make your lashes look their absolute best.
Next Up, 3 Celebrity Makeup Artists Just Schooled Me on How to Apply Bronzer
Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.