Is Draping the New Contouring? How to Sculpt Your Face With Blush

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Subtle contouring, statement contouring, strobing…been there, done all of that. But defining our visages with blush? Well, it's not an entirely new concept, but Marc Jacobs Beauty is taking the age-old technique to a whole new level.
The recently released Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo is now available in stores today. Unlike other designer blushes, it doesn't just look pretty—this particular product promises 24-hour wear. The blush is formulated with Japanese minerals, which make the product feel almost light as air…and perfect for what the brand is calling "draping."

Taking notes from legendary celeb makeup artist Way Bandy's technique (he's considered the "father of contouring") from the '80s, this modern iteration of draping involves applying blush across the natural hollows of the face to give you a very defined, statement-making look. At an intimidate breakfast on Thursday in Beverly Hills, Marc Jacobs Beauty Global Makeup Artist Gilbert Soliz showed  four ways to use the new compact.

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Volumizing Glow: This is the most traditional and probably simplest approach to draping: Just smile. Imagine a vertical line at the corner of your outer eye, then picture a horizontal line starting from the corner of your nose. Where those lines intersect is where you should start applying blush, draping it across the apples of your cheeks. "There's no right or wrong," said Gilbert.
Lifting Glow: Between the top and bottom of your ears, find where your face's natural hollows begin (where it indents in a bit). From outside in, apply the darker shade, following the hollows. Use the lighter hue to highlight and buff out the darker color.

Lifting Glow: Using the darker shade, start at the top of the ear. "Application rides the top of the cheekbones," instructed Gilbert. Sweep the brush down toward the corner of the mouth. Then, use the softer shade to diffuse. This change in angles gives an illusion of a lift. Read: model cheekbones.
Balancing Glow: This technique best complements bold makeup. Blend the two shades together and apply across the temple, chin, tip of the nose and especially nape of the neck. Use the darker color to build more volume on the natural contours and diffuse it out with the lighter shade.
Now, who needs bronzer?