Posted by Paola Carbono
on January 15, 2026
If you've tried every viral makeup technique and still feel like something's off, you're not doing it wrong—you're doing the wrong technique for YOUR face.
The Technique Decoder
Five years ago: matte or dewy. Now: dozens of named techniques. But here's the truth—these aren't one-size-fits-all. They're tools that work brilliantly in the right situation and terribly in the wrong one.
BAKING: The Heavy Artillery
What it is: Excessive powder on strategic areas, left to "bake" for 5-10 minutes, then brushed away.
When it works:
- Very oily skin
- HD photography
- Severe dark circles
- Extreme contour needs
When it doesn't:
- Dry/mature skin (emphasizes lines)
- Natural makeup looks (too heavy)
- Real-life wear (can look chalky)
Best face shapes: Round or square (creates sharp contrast)
Avoid: Heart-shaped, long faces
Pro truth: Unless you're being photographed or have genuinely oily skin, you don't need to bake.
STROBING: The Glow Getter
What it is: Highlighting without contouring—using light alone to create dimension.
When it works:
- Good skin texture
- Dewy finish goals
- Younger skin with elasticity
- Photography with good lighting
When it doesn't:
- Oily skin (looks greasy)
- Large pores or texture
- Matte preferences
- Poor lighting
Best face shapes: Oval and heart-shaped
Avoid: Very round faces (needs contour to balance)
Products: NEE's Mr. Strobe or Liquid Highlighter—the key is placement, not quantity.
Pro truth: Strobing emphasizes everything—including texture. Only works if your skin is already smooth.
DRAPING: The Forgotten Classic
What it is: Using blush (not bronzer) to create dimension and shape.
When it works:
- All skin tones (most versatile)
- Youthful, fresh look
- Correcting tired appearance
- Dimension without looking "made up"
When it doesn't:
- Very ruddy/red skin
- When you want sculpted/chiseled look
Best face shapes: ALL OF THEM
- Round: Apply higher, toward temples
- Long: Apply horizontally across cheeks
- Square: Curved motion to soften
- Heart: Lower on apples
- Oval: Anywhere you want
Pro truth: Draping is massively underrated. While everyone's contouring like Instagram, draping gives dimension that looks like healthy skin.
CONTOURING: The Misunderstood
What it is: Darker shades for shadows, lighter for bringing areas forward.
When it works:
- Creating structure on very round/flat faces
- Photography and stage
- Evening/dramatic looks
- Correcting specific features
When it doesn't:
- Daily/natural makeup
- Poor blending skills
- Extreme skin tones (hard to find right shade)
Pro truth: Most people don't need contour. They need better blush placement (draping).
The Face Shape Cheat Sheet
ROUND FACE: Draping (high), subtle contour | Avoid: Strobing alone
SQUARE FACE: Draping (softens), strategic baking | Avoid: Heavy contour
LONG FACE: Draping (horizontal), center highlight only | Avoid: Vertical strobing
HEART-SHAPED: Draping (lower), minimal forehead highlight | Avoid: Forehead baking
OVAL FACE: Anything works (experiment freely)
The Hybrid Approach (What Pros Do)
We rarely use one technique exclusively.
Example 1 - Fresh, natural (oval/heart faces):
- Draping with NEE Twin Blush
- Subtle highlight on cheekbone tops
- No contour, no baking
Example 2 - Definition (round/square faces):
- Light contour under cheekbones
- Draping over the contour (blends seamlessly)
- Minimal highlight
- T-zone powder only
The Bottom Line
The "best" technique:
- Suits your face shape
- Matches your skill level
- Fits your lifestyle
- Looks good in YOUR lighting
Stop following every trend. Start working with your actual face.
