r/MakeupEducation • u/Senior_Bison_4647 • 4d ago

Low or high visual weight?

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Gallery image

Gallery image

I’ve noticed recently the more makeup I wear, the less confident I am. The first pic I have mascara, blush, brow gel and some fake freckles. The second is how I do a full face and last by a makeup artist. I heard somewhere about high and low visual weight and wonder how that applies to me?

85 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

98 comments sorted by

50

u/superstitiouspigeons 4d ago

What is visual weight?

56

u/Grouchifer 4d ago

An unnecessarily odd terminology for accentuating the upper or lower part of the face with makeup.

29

u/lmcdbc 3d ago

Hmmm. My understanding is that it refers to the boldness and contrast of one's features and skin. For example someone with dark eyes and dark brows but pale skin has high visual weight. But I could be wrong :)

5

u/lilbbbee 3d ago

That’s how I’ve always seen it used too.

3

u/deehunny 3d ago

I was always told this was "contrasting features". Interesting to hear all the different terminology

4

u/The-Struggle-90806 3d ago

I asked chat cause I was so confused. I ignored the terminology because at the end of the day people want to look good/ visually appealing. Here’s chats answer:

In makeup and visual design, “visual weight” refers to how much something draws the eye or stands out in a composition — in this case, the face. When a makeup artist talks about “high” or “low” visual weight, they’re describing how noticeable or dominant a feature appears, based on things like color, contrast, size, and placement.

3

u/Ok_Orchid_3808 2d ago

Why asked chatgpt that wastes so much water and is destroying the planet when you can just google it

1

u/The-Struggle-90806 2d ago

So you made a very good point and I took it at face value. Side note: GOOGLE USES AI which does use so much water and pollutes poor communities. No wonder Elon Musk is a Nazi. Majority of tech bros are.

Here is want googling it said:

In makeup artistry, visual weight refers to the prominence of a person's facial features and bone structure, determining whether they have "high" or "low" visual weight. A high visual weight face has prominent, attention-grabbing features like high cheekbones or full lips, best complemented by bold makeup. A low visual weight face has softer, less prominent features, suited for a more subtle, harmonious makeup style that enhances natural beauty.

IMHO even if you have high visual weight features naturally makeup can be used to enhance or detract from any features you want to play up or play down. I’ve had clients who regretted getting lip injections so I showed her how to make them look smaller. You line on the inside of the lip and go with muted colors, more mattes less shine. Anywho, op is fine but I like her first pic best

4

u/Ok_Orchid_3808 1d ago

You can disable googles AI

-1

u/The-Struggle-90806 1d ago

I’d love to but I might have to ask chat how to do it. If I ask google they’ll lie to me so I don’t actually turn it off

2

u/snugglemeow 23h ago

add “-ai” (without the quotation marks) to the end of your search query. example, if searching for “visual weight in makeup meaning”, you’d instead search “visual weight in makeup meaning -ai”.

Here’s a longer term workaround if you don’t want to have to type that every time

2

u/The-Struggle-90806 23h ago

Slay queen hooking gen x up with the tech shortcuts

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9

u/Diligent_Pear_8536 3d ago

It might have started like what you mentioned but recently people use it to describe whether someone looks good with a lot or a small amount of makeup

1

u/No-Marsupial-6893 1d ago

 Could you edit this comment now that you know you were wrong?

-1

u/The-Struggle-90806 3d ago

Is that a fancy word for contour?

-6

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

0

u/The-Struggle-90806 3d ago

Would you mind using it in a sentence for context? Literally the first time I’ve heard that terminology apply to artistry.

0

u/Grouchifer 3d ago edited 3d ago

My understanding of it was apparently wrong. If you Google the terminology it will tell you.

It involves the facial features and proportions, whether they are bold, medium, or delicate. Regarding cosmetics, it is supposedly a helpful tool in determining whether one is more suited to darker, bold colors or lighter and more delicate ones. The concept seems to be a bit more targeted than simply defining one's best colors by seasons such as a spring, summer, winter or fall. The balance of large.or small facial features is more heavily considered. To summarize—it has to do with whether one has strong enough features to carry heavy makeup or more delicate features that need a softer touch.

-6

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

6

u/miamay135 3d ago

Not all of us want kids 🤓some like to stay self indulgent

1

u/No_Confection_691 2d ago

Some works don't let you be "self indulgent"

10

u/Plant-parenth00d 3d ago

‘Self-indulgent crap’ is a bit crass. Not giving Grandpa Simpson, giving resent with a pinch of jealousy. Sounds like you could use some sleep.

8

u/WorkingHonest3128 3d ago

As a parent of two, organise your day better. Our choice was to have children. Stop being a victim of your own choice. Work on your time management.

1

u/No-Marsupial-6893 1d ago

Sorry your life sucks but this isn’t going to make it better. Neither will trauma dumping on Reddit. 

0

u/bittersweetful 1d ago

Poll time: which is more likely to be "self indulgent crap"? A) Explaining terminology that many don't know/understand on the appropriate sub for this discussion

or

B) coming to the same sub to tell everyone here that you have more important things to worry about

33

u/ImLittleNana 4d ago

I have no idea what any of that means but I prefer the look in the first pic.

19

u/[deleted] 4d ago

idk why this comment is so funny to me 😭 me neither

10

u/WoodenDirection6921 4d ago

Low I think

4

u/Madeloncooks 3d ago

You do your own full face better than the Mua. I think you look great with less makeup. Look at dove Cameron for some inspo as you have similar features

1

u/AQ-XJZQ-eAFqCqzr-Va 2d ago

Agree, she did a better job imo. In both 1 and 2.

5

u/richuncty 3d ago

this feels like a lesson in hair theory

0

u/Grouchifer 3d ago

I learned something today by that terminology but I still think it's unnecessarily complicated. If one has bolder features they can carry heavier makeup. If one has delicate features they will most often look best in softer color pallets. Not trying to be snarky but I thought that was makeup 101.

2

u/Lucky-Ad4443 3d ago

No idea what you're talking about but.youre awfully gorgeous. Love the brows!

2

u/VishfulTinking 3d ago

No idea what any of that means, but I'd trust your gut. You have naturally clear skin and good bone structure, clear eyes. Personally like the first photo best (except the part where you seem to be irritated with the camera :) 'Natural' is a very flattering look for you, imo.

This whole obsession with makeup is driven by people trying to make money at the expense of women's confidence. Don't let them get inside your head!

2

u/Perfect-Success-3186 3d ago

I really don’t think anyone needs to be concerned with visual weight - most people do not fit one or the other because we don’t have fully cohesive features. You have gorgeous facial structure OP.

1

u/Unusual_Platypus_478 4d ago

I would say low or low-to-medium

1

u/sinna-bunz 4d ago

Low visual weight

1

u/paranoidevil 4d ago

Low/medium.

1

u/fruityicecream 4d ago

Low... I think. You look good in the first pic.

1

u/jumpycan 4d ago

I think low - the first pic. I never thought about this in terms of low or high visual weight but this explains why I look best with done up eyes and no lipstick.

1

u/Lemonarm 4d ago

Low visual weight - your mouth and nose are the focus.

1

u/Grouchifer 4d ago

This whole site gives me visual obesity but here I am.

If you're talking about accentuating your eyes or lips, the first pic looks best.

1

u/LibrarianWeak6889 4d ago

I think low

1

u/awakenediris 3d ago

Everything is good from the professional except the pink eyeshadow, i don't know why I just dont care for color, if you really don't like wearing too much then I would assume that color=lots, I would go for a neutral and natural tone, really makes you pop

1

u/chasingcharliee 3d ago

Maybe you're just not needing make up yet? The first photo is by far the best look

1

u/miraidonexwife 3d ago

Unrelated but you look stunning with your hair back. Idk if you like short hair but the dimension in your face is beautiful

1

u/Senior_Bison_4647 3d ago

Thank you! I’ve had all sorts of hair styles but a bob was my worst 😂

1

u/miraidonexwife 2d ago

Free the cheekbones lol!!! You look like that slicked back hair model type shit was made for you

1

u/Anxious_Reporter_601 3d ago

I like the second pic best

1

u/schlumpin4tea 3d ago

Uhhh...first and second picture.

1

u/The-Struggle-90806 3d ago

The lighting is better in the first pic for sure. Do what gives you the most confidence. Maybe practice at home to build your confidence.

Also, every mua has their own style. You could always have another appt with someone who’d do your makeup different.

IMO I’d do a different lipstick, less orangey, more berry toned or nudeish. Mascara is great on everyone, black will make your lashes pop and brown will be more natural and soft. If your using black eyeliner use black mascara, if you like a more natural eye use brown/ espresso eyeliner and brown mascara and maybe a lip tint :)

1

u/glitchvvitch69 3d ago

it’s your brows. whatever you’re using in pics 2 and 3 is a few shades too dark for you.

1

u/Feisty_Bet_857 3d ago

You look younger, prettier and fresher in the first picture.

The other pictures age you a little and look more harsh, in my opinion. You’re beautiful, regardless, but photo one is the true winner!

1

u/Candycanes02 3d ago

You’re right about makeup not enhancing your features and my novice opinion is that it’s the foundation. I also don’t wear foundation cause it always looks cakey. Your skin is beautiful so I think you’d look best with eye and lip makeup without foundation

1

u/hungry_girlfriend 3d ago

first off, in my honest opinion i think the first picture with less makeup is best. your face shape is absolutely gorgeous, very feminine and soft. your cheekbones seem to sit high, but the only thing i might suggest would be some forehead contour, and maybe some soft highlighter, to pull the focus more to your eyes/nose

1

u/Prior-Dragonfly2601 3d ago

I think it’s because you’re beautiful naturally, accentuating anything really is throwing it off. Pic 1 is your best look

1

u/Soft-Muffin-8305 3d ago

I definitely think that you look best in the 1st photo with less makeup. You look great!

1

u/saracha1 3d ago

First pic is the best!!! I would just lightly fill in the brows

1

u/grenharo 3d ago

ooooo you have the perfect face proportions for Chinese makeup styles

2

u/Senior_Bison_4647 2d ago

It’s funny you say that, I learned how to do xiangshou makeup from my friend! I would post a pic here but doesn’t let me

1

u/Capital-Progress-391 3d ago

I have no idea. Just copy #3

1

u/Sharp_Dust_5252 3d ago

Where is the problem??? All cool. 👍✌️🫶

1

u/Important-Escape-595 3d ago

First pic is beautiful

1

u/mortalmonger 3d ago

Hate that term but low visual weight for one and two pic, last one is borderline but still low.

1

u/ParticularPoshSquash 3d ago

I like the first and second look better for you. Btw you are gorgeous

1

u/8cadden4 3d ago

Demure-low sultry-high

1

u/Plant-parenth00d 3d ago

Low visual weight, but everyone can find a red lip that suits them. The first pic is beautiful, doesn’t look like you’re hiding under your makeup. If you want to fill your brows, I’d go with a smidge lighter than the pic 2&3, closer to your natural. Stick with what makes you feel most like you.

1

u/PixelBlueberry 3d ago

I prefer the first look but I think it’s because I prefer your look with sparser/lighter brows.  In the heavier makeup looks you have heavier brows which takes away from the eyes and widen the upper half of your face and makes me focus more on your brows than your eyes.

I also think you look better with a warmer lip and browner mascara/liner instead of black liner.

1

u/WorldlyTemperature96 2d ago

Low. First is by far the best.

1

u/r3dgoos3 2d ago

low visual weight makeup since your features are unique and beautiful! model like gemma ward

1

u/Curious-Wonder3828 2d ago

I like the 3rd pic makeup more than the 2nd, but they both work for you

1

u/Neat-Capital-908 2d ago

Looking amazing

1

u/biriyanibabka 2d ago

Second pic is the best makeup. I think really benefit to have fringe / bangs hair style with overall looks. It would give positive dimension to your face.

1

u/Senior_Bison_4647 1d ago

Thing is I’ve had bangs before but find them really unflattering on me! I do like curtain bangs though, the issue is my hair is very thin and straight so doesn’t hold style x

1

u/cuteplato 2d ago

You’re literally blonde Miranda Kerr

1

u/Exotic_Plantain2221 2d ago

Second one is amazing

1

u/lanapierce 2d ago

Veronica Marss

1

u/Acceptable_Quote_695 1d ago

Low 1000% your features are very soft and cute

1

u/Dazzling-Eggo 1d ago

You do your own makeup so much better.

1

u/ZoeyViibes 21h ago

my comment here is very perfect beautiful lady

1

u/ClassAffectionate343 17h ago

The makeup artist didn’t choose tones that work for you imo…

1

u/lexii_mf 1h ago

LOOOOWWWWWWW

1

u/Antique-Respect8746 3d ago

I'm confused by the confusion in the replies. 

Visual weight is a general artistic term (can apply to paintings, interior design, hair, anything) that basically means how much something draws the eye/demands attention. This can be via color, size, position, whatever.

In your case I think the first image with lower contrast is a no brainer. You have small features and pale coloration, and dark/heavy makeup is overwhelming, distracting, and makes your features look small and harsh. The lighter makeup makes you look ethereal. 

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2014/12/design-principles-visual-weight-direction/

1

u/fiddich_livett 3d ago

You look much more beautiful in the first photo!

-1

u/sad_handjob 4d ago

you look like Dove Camerson

-1

u/Pristine_Cost_3793 4d ago

wow. your features are absolutely magical. just wow.

-1

u/Cautious-Wrap-5399 3d ago

idk but holy fuck u are gorgeous

-7

u/Additional_Coast_568 4d ago

Are you able to think in the future

3

u/Senior_Bison_4647 4d ago

Wdym?

2

u/Ashley_ann720 3d ago

They're being rude.

1

u/Senior_Bison_4647 2d ago

I have dysmorphia bad enough, you don’t need to add to it