The Not-So-Great Thing About the Neck Contouring Trend

Image/MakeupWearables Hairstyles

Chalk up one more body part that’s been hit by the contouring trend: The neck.

Demonstrated by MakeupWearables Hairstyles, the clip (which went viral after Huda Beauty shared it) has taken social media by storm. The idea: You contour your neck with stripes of two different foundation shades (both darker than your skin tone), then add on highlighter and blend like crazy to create a “slimmer, graceful-looking” neck and up your up-do hair game.

"As a makeup artist, I have come across women who want to plump their 'chicken necks' and want to hide and slim their 'unflattering necks,'" says Bodyography creative director and makeup artist, Lori Leib. "If you are the kind of woman who contours your face on a daily basis, there is the importance of making sure to bring the contour shade down the neck in order to create a smooth transition. However, if you are being influenced by recent YouTube tutorials to slim your neck, keep calm and focus on proper skin care to care for and protect your neck, as opposed to covering it with heavy makeup—which can lead to product buildup, unsightly lines and makeup on your clothing."

Regardless of whether or not you think this is an unnecessary step in your routine, New York aesthetician Cecilia Wong says it might have some not-so-great skin side effects. "The skin on the neck is relatively thick and produces more oil and sweat than other parts of your body. This makes it more susceptible to clogged pores and breakouts when covered with the foundation and powder needed to contour. There is also an excess of oil transferred from your hair to your neck throughout the day that can clog pores."

But if you are going to give this trend a shot, Wong recommends being conscientious of the brush you use. "Be cautious of using of an unclean brush as this can add bacteria to the area and result in neck acne.”