Contouring (and highlighting) went mainstream

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Contouring deserves a double mention. While the technique itself was nothing new (it goes way back to Mr Max Factor’s heyday) in the early 2010s it was all everyone was talking about thanks to Kim Kardashian and her make-up artist Mario Dedivanovic. Copying his how-to via Instagram, YouTube and live masterclasses, before long we were all sculpting a slimmer face, chiselling cheekbones and – when we felt brave – refining our nose with cream, powder and liquid contouring products. What read well on camera didn’t always translate IRL, however, and subsequently highlighting (or strobing) had its moment. Drawing attention to the high points of the face felt, and looked, fresh (but again, the technique itself was nothing new). But while both contour kits and highlighters may be mainstays in our make-up arsenal now, the decade’s latter years have seen blush come back into favour. Serving a youthful glow, blusher now feels sophisticated as opposed to ’80s Aunt Sally.