I have had some girls tell me that they feel like when they do the highlighting and contouring it seems to end up as too heavy of a coat or too much coverage. I completely understand how this could happen, especially since some of you that are trying this are not used to having much on your face at all.
Luckily I have discovered a REALLY awesome trick for getting the coverage and color you need without feeling like you have anything on at all. (I got it from that cute little Lilly Ghalichi from Shas of Sunset) It creates a very light natural finish you will love!
Although, I want to mention that even if it looks fantastic to everyone else HACing can take some getting used to, so make sure even if it feels strange you give it some time before throwing it out. Even tiny changes in your makeup routine or look can send you for a major loop. (I have found this especially true with eyebrows) It doesn’t mean it isn’t pretty, it’s just the natural reaction to any change on what you see in the mirror.
Take a beauty blender like {this one} get it wet then ring it out until it no longer has excess water but is still damp.
Then take whatever product you are using (liquid foundation, cream blush or concealer(for this I use the pointy end)) and dab it into your skin in short quick strokes.
You will be shocked at how beautifully it turns out!
Also remember: if you are wearing foundation with your HAC (which isn’t usually necessary depending on your coverage needs) avoid applying it to areas you will be concealing, there is no need to add an extra layer, the concealer will be plenty.
Any way you could do a little video to demonstrate applying HAC this way? I’ve never ever used a sponge to apply makeup before!! I can’t quite grasp how it’s supposed to look…and maybe you can do a comparision pic between the spong and the brush HAC?
You bet! I am working on a Valentines look video and I’ll use it with that!
Great! I am so excited!!!!
Thanks so much for this wonderful tip xxx
http://www.unstitchedd.blogspot.co.uk
you are welcome! Your blog is awesome! You are beautiful and have such fabulous taste!
I will have to try that! I always used to use bronzer on my whole face, I was curious, because the bronzer that I am contouring with seems so much darker than my face obviously, it seems like i have Blush, bronzer, then my white skin, like striped on my face, do you bronze below the cheek contouring a bit, so its blended more? I wasnt sure, because I normally liked to darken my all over face a bit, but I never used makeup, just cheapie cover girl bronzer all over a bit. But I did just get the Bahama Mama and the Rimmel you use. I have been investing in my makeup lately…… LOL… but I am definitely needing more practice that is for sure!!!
OK blending is KEY but it might look weird to you at first… do you have instagram?? if so take a photo after you HACed and mention me, then I can take a look and see if I can help!
I’m pretty much addicted to your blog now! I watched one video and am excited to change up my makeup habits!!! BTW- I LOVE Lilly. She seems to be level headed AND she is beautimous!!!
THANK YOU! Glad you love Lilly too, she is SO cute!
Seriously – - every time I do my eye brows, I have to convince myself I don’t look like a clown! Maybe if I would get my act together and do them everyday…. :p
haha oh my gosh, when I first started drawing mine in I thought I looked like a wolf! Such a strange transition, now I look back at photos and think THAT looks so weird!
lol so true about eyebrows!
Great tip! Totally makes sense…kind of like when you wet your shadow brush before applying eyeshadow – turns out so great! Thanks, can’t wait to try this!
http://www.the-narcissist.com
exactly! Tell me what you think when you do!
Awesome! Thanks for the tips! You are awesome!!!
Thanks girl!
Just found your blog through Pinterest and I instantly loved it. I never used to take that much care of myself but lately I have discovered the world of make up and you make everything look so easy!! (HAC is my next goal!) Thanks for all the advice!
Hi C – first let me say I luv luv ur blog – I thought that I pretty much knew just about everything there is 2 know about makeup but thanks to you, I realize that I don’t know much!!! Besides having spent about $100 (or more $) on the various make up and hair products, which I totally would do anyway- I am now taking about 30 minutes 2 do my makeup in the morning but it lasts all day – I am also just letting my hair go its natural curly self & finally loving it! Keep the demos coming and please do a smokey eye if u didn’t already
I dont understand this: “Also remember: if you are wearing foundation with your HAC (which isn’t usually necessary depending on your coverage needs) avoid applying it to areas you will be concealing, there is no need to add an extra layer, the concealer will be plenty.”
What’s wrong with me?
NOTHING! I am the one who made that confusing! What I am trying to say is:
1. ONLY wear foundation under your HAC if you feel it completely necessary. Most people don’t need to
2. If you do decide to wear foundation under your HAC avoid layering it much under the eyes on the chin and the sides of the nose because that is where you will be using concealer to highlight, therefor you won’t need foundation as well, it will only add an unneeded layer of makeup
OMG i had NO idea you wanted the foundation/powder UNDER the HAC.. you have to remember some of us are completely clueless
Wow, can’t thank your enough for sharing these tips! I tried it yesterday for the first time and had lunch with my girlfriends. I got a call from one of them saying that she noticed how pretty my make up looked and wondered if I’d had a peel because my skin was glowing! Thanks for sharing all your tips. I am obsessed with all your tutorials! PS…you are ridiculously gorgeous!
Hi Cara, I absolutely love your blog! I have been completely obsessed with trying new techniques and products these last few weeks. Eyebrows I am not quite used to yet but I LOVE eyeshadow primer! I can’t believe I have waited so long to try it! But I am having an issue that perhaps you can help with. I had really bad acne when I was younger which left me with acne scars. My face also has a tendency to become very red, especially in the winter. Primarily in the cheeks. I would love to go foundation free but feel like I can’t. I really like my benefit foundation as it covers the scars very well. But the redness not so much. I have tried concealer which doesn’t last the day. Even with ‘hac’ing, you can’t really see the shadow because by mid-day my cheeks are very red underneath. It looks like I used blush over my entire cheek! I have tried using a green tinted primer (which is great for individual red acne spots) but to use over the whole cheek under my foundation completely whites me out. And then I have a whiter face then my neck. And it doesn’t correlate well with the rest of the face complexion either. Do you have any suggestions?
Oh Cara.. I LOVE your blog! If you are looking for possible future blog ideas (hint hint) maybe you could explain the differences or basics of make up? Foundation/concealer/bb creams/ pressed powder/ mineral powders/setting powder??? I have olive(ish) skin tone with no discolorations/acne/dark spots and never wore anything but eye make up. I recently gave up tanning and my skin is much lighter/duller in the winter, I would like to start highlighting my skin… but I find at 27 I have NO idea what products I should be using or what half of them do! Can you wear mineral makeup stand alone? Do I need a pressed powder over concealer?
Just order the makeup from amazon you recommended for HACing, so excited to try it!
Thanks!
Hey Cara…I just started following your blog and love it…I am so into trying out and hopefully perfecting the HAC technique and actually got a couple of compliments tonight on my makeup. As someone stated above, I am having trouble with contouring and then applying blush and looking like I have just applied paint stripes until I then highlight and try to blend, but it doesn’t seem like I can do what you do with the same type of products. I think I definitely need a new bronzer but I think I’m missing something. What is the best way to make it NOT look like you have bronzer, blush, skin color as separate parts of your face? I don’t even know if this question makes sense haha…this is going to be a process but it seems you have made it part if your daily routine even as a mom, (which I am of two kids) so I am committed to making it work on me! Thanks for all your help!!
Ok so I’m a mom to 3 Littles, yes 3, I know I know! I’m just starting to get myself back and your blog has been amazing for me! I wanted to recommend Mally’s Evercolor Poreless face defender. Its amazing! I bought it from QVC. its like a translucent powder but its clear. Have you ever seen pictures where your face looks “white”? Mally says that bc of the powder. It was about 40 bucks but you don’t use that much. I love it!!!! I think its totally worth the money. If you try please let me know! Thanks for this blog and helping find my way back to me!!!