Visual weight, the beauty theory that rewards our uniqueness
A way of using make-up that emphasizes our features without hiding them
G-Club
April 11th, 2024
April 11th, 2024
Every face has different features and distinctive traits that, if interpreted correctly, can guide us in choosing the right makeup. The height of the forehead, the symmetry of the eyebrows, the distance between one eye and the other, the prominence of the cheekbones, the size of the nose, or the fullness of the lips are characteristics that vary from one face to another: their combination creates an overall visual impact that helps us understand how to apply makeup. This is the idea behind the visual weight theory, the beauty secret that collects likes and views on TikTok. Princess Raquelle, one of the first creators to talk about it, argues that the parameters to pay attention to are three: bone structure, essential facial features and their position on the face. Based on their greater or lesser prominence, these identify two macro types of faces, high visual weight and low visual weight, which determine which makeup is most flattering.
High visual weight or low visual weight?
We talk about high visual weight when the visual weight of the face is high-impact, meaning when the features are defined and rather pronounced. This includes those with a prominent nose, pronounced jawline, broad forehead, prominent cheekbones, unique eye shape, or very full lips. Think of Angelina Jolie's jawline, Margot Robbie's high and defined cheekbones, Julia Roberts' mouth, or Anne Hathaway's and Emily Ratajkowski's large eyes. Other examples among celebrities? Dua Lipa, Megan Fox, Naomi Campbell, Zendaya, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, Lily Collins, Lisa from Blackpink, and Lady Gaga.
Rounder and more homogeneous faces, with less prominent features, delicate traits, and more harmonious overall, have a low visual weight, thus a low visual impact. Think of Selena Gomez or Hailey Bieber, in whom individual elements such as the nose, cheeks, and lips do not stand out prominently. Or Natalie Portman, Madison Beer, Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone, Sydney Sweeney, Vittoria Ceretti, Elsa Hosk, Sabrina Carpenter, Phoebe Dynevor, and Simone Ashley.
How to identify our face macrotype
@jamzlt Replying to @ Miᥣᥣᥱᥒiᥲᥣ ¦ Pottᥱrhᥱᥲd ͛ are you a high or low visual weight? #fyp original sound - Jam Zoleta
The visual weight theory is not recognized professionally by makeup artists and industry experts, but it is certainly a starting point to identify which makeup enhances us the most, whether it's a softer or a more glamorous, bold look. However, first, we need to understand if our face has a low or high visual impact. There are several methods to do this. The most obvious is to look in the mirror or analyze our photos. Many TikTok creators rely on the bold glamour filter, which emphasizes features by giving thick eyebrows, a sharp contour, and full eye makeup. If the result is an image that seems to fit well with the face, almost natural, then the verdict is high visual weight. The third option is to take two photos, convert them to black and white, and play with the contrast levels, saving one with the contrast set to the minimum and one to the maximum. If our distinctive facial features are clearer with minimal contrast, then we are low visual.
What makeup is suitable for a high visual weight face?
Those with high visual weight have two options: to apply makeup to emphasize the already defined lines of their face or to balance it with a light beauty look. They should not be afraid to experiment with color and bold makeup trends. Here are some suggestions:
Face: Don't use blush and bronzer, it's better to contoure and highlight to create dimension and balance the features.
Eyes: Allies for a wow effect are intense and blended smokey eyes to add drama to the makeup, dark eyeshadows, graphic eyeliners to intensify the look, black pencil both inside and outside, volumizing mascara, and well-defined eyebrows.
Lips: Go for lip overlining, deep browns, and shades from red to plum.
What makeup is suitable for low visual weight?
The most flattering makeup for subjects with low visual weight is delicate, natural, enhancing the face through softer lipstick or eyeshadow shades. Trends to try are Clean Girl, Coquette, Barbiecore, and Cloud Skin, but also Sugar Plum Fairy, Sun-Kissed, and Berry girl. Here are some tips:
Face: Blush is a must-have to emphasize the cheekbones and increase facial volume, as well as bronzer and highlighters for a glowy touch. For the base, it's better to opt for a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream for a makeup no makeup effect, without foundation.
Eyes: Apply neutral shades, a bit of shimmer to brighten the eyelids, dark blue or brown eyeliners, brown mascara. And eyebrows? It's a good idea to keep them natural by adding a bit of gel to tame them.
Lips: Pink, mauve, and nude. Go for clear or slightly darker lip gloss and lip contour made with a pencil slightly darker than the natural lip shade.
