What Is Underpainting Makeup? The Technique Changing Contour Right Now

How Mary Phillips is redefining contour with a softer, more natural approach

Underpainting makeup is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about techniques in beauty — and it’s changing how contour looks on the skin.

Makeup artist Mary Phillips is behind this shift, introducing a method that rethinks the traditional order of makeup application.

What Is Underpainting Makeup?

Underpainting is a technique where contour and highlight are applied before foundation, rather than on top of it.

Instead of layering products over the skin, this method places structure underneath, allowing foundation to diffuse and blend everything together.

Why Underpainting Looks More Natural

The result is a softer, more seamless finish.

Traditional contour can sometimes appear heavy or overly defined. Underpainting softens those lines, creating dimension that feels more natural and less constructed.

This is why underpainting makeup is becoming so popular — it enhances the face without looking obvious.

Why This Technique Is Trending Right Now

This shift reflects a larger movement in beauty.

Makeup trends are moving away from heavy contour and precision-driven looks, and toward softer, skin-focused techniques. The goal is no longer transformation, but enhancement.

Underpainting fits perfectly into this evolution, aligning with the demand for natural makeup techniques that work with the skin rather than sitting on top of it.

Final Take

Underpainting isn’t just a technique — it’s part of a broader shift in how makeup is applied and perceived.

As beauty continues to evolve, methods like this are shaping a more refined, less structured approach to contour.

— Elle Eastwood
Beauty Reporter