Okay, besties, let’s spill some tea about Gigi Hadid’s makeup! We all know Gigi is total goals when it comes to that perfect, model-off-duty look. Like, she’s literally walking perfection on the runway, but her contour and highlight game? Ughhh, it’s next level but still, somehow, soooo effortless.
Today, I’m breaking down Gigi’s subtle contour and highlight techniques that practically scream “I woke up like this!” So grab your brushes, put your mirror in selfie mode, and let’s get you glowing like our queen Gigi! 🌟
The Secret to Subtle Contour: Less is More, Sis
Let’s be real—we’ve all seen those heavy, Instagram-style contours where you can basically see every brushstroke. It’s cool for a dramatic moment (hello, night out 😜), but Gigi keeps it soft and natural. She’s all about enhancing what ya girl already has—nothing too harsh.
You don’t need to carve out cheekbones with a knife; a lil’ touch of product goes a long way!
Step 1: Don’t Overload on Product—Like, Please
When you’re doing a subtle contour, product control is EVERYTHING. Gigi’s makeup artist, Erin Parsons, often talks about using creams or sticks instead of powders when doing Gigi’s makeup. Cream products are literally the key because they blend into the skin seamlessly and look way more natural.
Here’s the trick:
- Dot a little cream contour right under your cheekbones, along your jawline, and around your forehead.
- Use a damp beauty sponge or a soft brush to blend it out before it dries. Make sure you blend upwards so everything lifts! We’re going for snatched, not saggy.
I literally can’t stress how much blending matters. The goal is to create a soft shadow and not a glaring line. Like, we’re sculpting, not painting a mural, ya know?
Step 2: Placement is Everything
Where you place your contour changes everything. If you want those Gigi-level cheekbones, place your contour just slightly above the hollows of your cheeks instead of directly in them. This trick makes your face look more lifted, which is basically what we’re all going for, right?
Here’s a lil’ table for easy grabbing:
| Contouring Spot | Placement Tip |
|---|---|
| Cheekbones | Just above the hollows, not directly in! |
| Jawline | Focus around the corners of your jaw. |
| Forehead (just below hairline) | Dab lightweight product across hairline. |
| Nose | A thin line down the sides for definition. |
Step 3: Define the Jawline Without Overdoing It
Jawline contouring: a thing of dreams, but also a low-key nightmare if you’re heavy-handed. One of the things I adore about Gigi’s setup is how her jawline is defined, but never too in-your-face.
Same rule applies here! Keep it minimal, with just a thin line or dots of cream contour along the jawline. And don’t forget to blend it down your neck a bit so you don’t have like, a super obvious break between your jaw and neck. We don’t want any floating heads, people! 🤪
Highlight Like Gigi: Glow From Within ✨
Alright, now onto the highlight. If Gigi’s contour says “natural,” her highlight says, “Yup, I drink my 8 glasses of water daily and my skin? It glows from within.” 😍
Her highlighter game isn’t about looking like a disco ball. It’s like a subtle dewy finish that makes you LOOK hydrated (even if you, uh, skipped a few sips of water today…no judgment).
Step 1: Cream Highlighters Are Your BFF
Forget those powder-y highlights that leave you looking like a cake—cream highlighters are key for getting Gigi’s level of glow. Personally, I’m obsessed with cream formulas because they melt into your skin and look more natural.
Here’s how to nail the placement:
- Start on the high points of your cheekbones (like, the tops!).
- Add a lil’ bit on the tip and bridge of your nose.
- Swipe a touch under the arch of your brows and on the cupid’s bow (that lil’ dip above your lips).
- If you’re feelin’ fancy, add a quick dab to your chin and across the temples.
The ultimate goal is to look glowy. Not greasy. To make sure you don’t overdo it, use your fingers or a small brush to really press the product into your skin. I am obsessed with just like, blending everything out with my fingers, and it warms the product into your skin for a more natural look!
Step 2: Choose the Right Shade
There’s nothing worse than choosing the wrong shade for your skin tone. I’ve learned this the hard way through trial and error (ugh, flashback to my silver highlight stage 😭). For Gigi-level gorgeous:
- Fair to Light Skin: Go for champagne or pearl shades.
- Medium Skin: Aim for something gold-based or rose gold vibes.
- Deep Skin: Deep golds and bronze tones will have you looking like a glowing goddess!
Here’s a lil’ table just in case for reference:
| Skin Tone | Shade of Highlight |
|---|---|
| Fair | Pearl or Soft Champagne |
| Light | Soft Champagne or Rose Gold |
| Medium | Warm Gold or Rose Gold |
| Deep | Deep Bronze or Golden Glow |
With the right shade, your highlight will pop but in, like, the most natural and subtle way possible—just like Gigi!
Blend, Baby, Bleeennddd!
If there’s one thing Gigi and her MUA do right, it’s BLENDING. You can have the fanciest products in the world, but if they aren’t blended—trust me, people will know. I swear, I sounded like a broken record, but blending is your bestie here.
When it comes to contouring and highlighting… Blending is 90% of the work.
I love using my beauty sponge for this step, or even just my fingers to melt everything into my skin. It helps products look radiant and just, part of you, versus, like, sitting on top of your face screaming, “Hello! I’m makeup!” You know what I mean, right?
You want to get that soft-focus effect. That glowy melty goodness. That’s the real tea.
Keep It Light—Perfect for Every Day!
The best thing about Gigi’s look is it’s so wearable literally anywhere. Unlike heavy contouring that’s better for, like, a full-on glam moment, this technique works for any time you want to look polished, but not OTT (over the top!). Going on a breakfast date? Chill hangout sesh with friends? You got this.
This is that subtle snatch—barely noticeable but there, making you look next-level flawless.
Even Gigi is known for rocking this everyday look, whether she’s running errands or modeling for a new Versace campaign. Keep a little stash with you: mini cream contour sticks or highlight sticks work super well for on-the-go touch-ups too!
Takeaways From Team Gigi: The Essentials
In case you wanna TLDR this whole thing, here are the key points:
- Use cream products for a seamless, natural look.
- Small dabs! It’s all about being light-handed with your contour.
- Watch that placement! Contour above the cheekbone for a lifted look (and blend it out).
- Opt for cream highlighters for a radiant glow, not shimmer overload.
- Stick to shades that match your skin tone to keep the highlight looking natural.
- BLEND, always blend: No harsh lines—everything should melt into your skin.
If you follow these tips, you’re essentially turning into Gigi’s unofficial beauty twin! ISSA VIBE, friends. 🔥 Try it, level up your contour and highlight game, and tag me in your pics because I want to see that glow!
Okayyy, that’s it from me today! I’m off to rewatch some Gigi runway clips and do a lil’ masked-up grocery run (just in case I bump into someone who needs to SEE the glow). Catch y’all soon!
– Su out! 💋
