Makeup

Here’s Exactly How Hailey Bieber’s Makeup Artist Makes It Look Like She’s Glowing

written by ARIANNA REARDON

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hailey beiber, elf hydrating drops, highlighter stick and foundation swatch on green background"
hailey beiber, elf hydrating drops, highlighter stick and foundation swatch on green background
Graphics by: Aryana Johnson
Graphics by: Aryana Johnson

If you think sculpted, lit-from-within glows are only reserved for Hollywood’s elite, think again. Thanks to TikTok, Hollywood beauty secrets are more accessible than ever. Case in point? The underpainting technique that exploded on the platform after users discovered celebrity MUA Mary Phillips uses it on stars like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. Now, the hashtag #MaryPhillipsTechnique has 12.6 million views and counting, and underpainting is poised to be the biggest makeup trend of the spring.

Whether you’re looking to amplify your no-makeup makeup game, seamlessly carve your cheekbones and jawline, or cut back on the amount of product you use, underpainting can help. With this method, you’re guaranteed to have fresh glam all spring long. Keep scrolling to learn more.

 

What is underpainting?

@victorialyn

The @maryphillips Routine‼️Underpainting seen on @Hailey Bieber @Kendall Jenner & more✨#makeup #beauty #haileybieber #maryphillips #underpainting

♬ French Jazz Cafe (Gypsy Jazz Manouche) – SplashStudio

Underpainting refers to the method of painting on products (i.e, contour, concealer, highlighter, blush) underneath foundation. And though this technique is nothing new, many pro MUAs have put their own spin on it over the years. With the Mary Phillips method, you apply contour, concealer, and highlighter first, then follow up with a lightweight foundation on top. The end result: a seamless, sculpted look with an airbrush finish that no-makeup makeup and glam girlies alike can appreciate.

 

How to master the underpainting technique

 

1. Prep the skin

It’s no secret that beneath all flawless makeup lies good skin prep. With underpainting, hydrating the skin beforehand is key; this is especially important because you use less product with this technique and enhance and emphasize the skin. Plus, the better the prep, the better your products will lay. Phillips is a fan of using serums, moisturizers, and performing gua sha to get the skin ready.

e.l.f
Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Serum

Not only is this serum affordable AF, it’s also suitable for oily, combination, normal, and dry skin types, and can be used alone or in tandem with your favorite moisturizer.

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Bobbi Brown
Face Base Priming Moisturizer

If you’re in the market for a splurge purchase, this 2-in-1 moisturizer/primer is the way to go. Formulated to nourish, plump, hydrate, and prep the skin for makeup application, you definitely get your money's worth.

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Amazon
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Calling all dry skin girlies. Mix a drop of this in with your favorite moisturizer to nourish and hydrate, hide dry patches, and create a primer your makeup will grip to all day and night.

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Amazon
Gua Sha

Use this after applying your skincare products and before makeup application to sculpt and carve your cheekbones and jawline to the makeup gods.

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2. Apply your contour

Once the skin’s been prepped, it’s time to lay down the contour. Although Phillips applies contour to the cheekbones, outer parts of the eyes and upwards towards the temples, along the hairline, jawline, and nose, keep in mind that everyone’s face is different; what works best will vary from person to person, so don’t be afraid to play around and experiment! Also, cream and liquid products typically work best for this process. If you’re not using a stick formula, make sure you have a dense brush for precise application. Likewise, you’ll also need a stippling brush for blending.

Rare Beauty
Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick

If you want your makeup application to be as simple as possible, a stick formula is the way to go. Available in 8 shades, Rare Beauty’s Effortless Bronzer Stick melts into skin and has a buildable formula that will make underpainting a breeze.

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Milani Cosmetics
Conceal & Perfect Liquid Contour

This affordable liquid formula comes with a built-in sponge for precise and seamless application. For just $11, you really can’t go wrong.

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Iconic London
Multi-Use Sculpting Palette

This all-in-one palette has three shades for contouring and three shades for concealing and brightening, so you can easily mix and match to create custom shades suited to your skin tone.

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EcoTools
Blend & Buff Makeup Brush Kit

A brush kit that comes with 3 densely packed brushes of varying sizes that are perfect for applying, blending, and buffing contour? Yes, please.

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3. Conceal and highlight

Next, apply concealer to any areas you’d like to brighten. This is typically underneath the eyes, the tops of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, sides of the nose, in the middle of the forehead, chin, around the mouth, etc. Your concealer should be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone to really create a brightening effect. Likewise, cream or liquid formulas work best for this, and can be blended out using a damp sponge or concealer brush.

NARS
Radiant Creamy Concealer

There’s a reason this concealer has a cult-following. The liquid formula glides on with a radiant, creamy finish that doesn’t settle into fine lines, provides medium coverage and all-day wear, and has a plethora of shades to choose from.

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Benefit Cosmetics
Full Coverage Cream Concealer

This cream-based concealer is perfect for the woman on-the-go, since it can be easily applied using your fingertips and blended out with a brush or sponge.

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Fenty Beauty
Concealer Brush 180

This softly angled brush works flawlessly for both applying and blending all concealer formulas, which is definitely nothing to sneeze at.

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Beautyblender
Original Beauty Blender

The OG of all makeup sponges, the Original Beautyblender is super soft and designed with a latex-free formula to help you seamlessly blend beauty products.

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4. Add foundation

This step should be done using a large, fluffy brush and lightweight or medium-coverage foundation. Simply tap into foundation, and apply using an upwards, stippling motion to blend. This is especially important to do around your contour; you don’t want to mix the colors and accidentally create a darker complexion shade.

Chanel
VITALUMIÈRE AQUA Perfecting Sunscreen

Allow us to introduce to you Phillips’ go-to foundation. The celebrity MUA swears by this thanks to its lightweight formula and radiant, dewy, skin-like finish. Available in 17 shades.

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L'Oréal
Super-Blendable Foundation

For a more full-glam moment, reach for L’Oréal’s True Match Super Blendable Foundation. With 47 colors to choose from, you’re bound to find your perfect match.

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Glossier
Perfecting Skin Tint

Have the ultimate supermodel sheer-glam moment with Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint. The lightweight dewy, liquid formula will help you seamlessly blend everything together, so you can step out in style.

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Sephora Collection
Foundation Brush

Thanks to Sephora’s Makeup Match Foundation Brush, flawless foundation application is easier than ever. Tap or dab into the product, then apply using an upwards, stippling motion.

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5. Finish with blush and powder

To tie the technique together, Phillips finishes with a cream blush and light veil of pressed bronzing powder to set makeup in place (though you can also use a loose setting powder instead of bronzer). This should be done with a large powder brush to really create a soft, airbrushed finish that looks good IRL and on camera. 

Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream

Another product that has Phillips’ stamp of approval, Westman Atelier’s blush sticks add the perfect flush of color to any makeup look, and can be applied using your fingers or favorite blush brush.

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MAKEUP BY MARIO
Transforming Skin Perfector

This 3-in-1 powder works to seamlessly illuminate, blur, and set the skin with a radiant glow. Available in 5 colors.

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e.l.f
Precise Powder Brush

e.l.f’s Precision Powder Brush is exactly what you need for applying loose powders and pressed formulas with light, even coverage. Designed with an ergonomic handle and loosely bound, large bristles, you can set your makeup with confidence for just $12.

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Laura Mercier
Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Arguably the holy grail of all loose setting powders, Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder goes on sheer and holds makeup in place for 24 hours. Available in 3 colors.

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