image: Bella De Lune
Contouring’s Gone to the Clowns!
Article by BR Kellie
The first time I saw Bella De Lune’s clown contouring video on Instagram, I won’t lie, I guffawed, snorted even. Surely this wasn’t for real? It had to be a woman taking the mickey out of the contour craze.
I sat and watched, transfixed, as she painted herself pretty in shades of pinks and berries, creams and browns. Circles on her cheeks, a moon on her forehead, a poop emoji on the area above the temple. Then I got Googling and found her YouTube channel where she’d uploaded an extended video of her clown contouring.
So I sat and listened to her story as she painted her face and realised that while her clown contouring may have started as something that was done to send a message that makeup is fun and a way to express yourself, it was so much more than that. She was also doing the video because she’d been called a clown by so many people who mocked her use of contouring that she wanted to show people what a real clown looked like. And that poop emoji? A way of showing that you can be surrounded by negativity yet you can just blend or brush it away. Watch out – girl crush alert!
As I continued to watch I found myself wondering if it would really work. Could that much contour end up creating a beautiful finish or a hot makeup mess? I was erring on the side of hot mess, but once again Bella De Lune proved me wrong by blending the contouring together to create a fabulous flawless finish.
So is clown contouring going to be a flash in the pan? Here today, tumbling out the door and trapezing off into the sunset tomorrow?
It would seem not. Since Bella De Lune’s video went viral other YouTubers have picked up on the trend and started posting their own clown contouring attempts and tutorial, one of the most noticeable being Wayne Goss. In his tutorial not only does he give blow-by-blow details on how to clown contour, but he also brings to light the origins of clown contouring, attributing the concept to a 1960s trend used by makeup artists like the formidable Joe Blasco.
So is clown contouring for all of us? If you’re a skilled blender, yes! It can create a beautiful look for real life and photos. But if you’re like me, and only have the basics of blending down, it’s best to leave the clowning around to the professionals.
Are you keen to give clown contouring a go? Why not post your before and afters to the photo wall … who knows, the points fairy might sprinkle points into your account?
This definitely seems scary as I don't think my brushes are capable of such blending! They shed when I just apply powder :/