How to Make Your Face Look Thinner

Self Magazine

Hear that more often without living on lettuce or chaining yourself to a treadmill. Our no-deprivation "makeup diet" lets you trim instantly. The skinny...
by Rachel Hayes

Arthur Belebeau
Arthur Belebeau

- Suck It In: New tightening creams, like StriVectin-TL Tightening Face Cream, are like Spanx for your face. Apply as a first step premakeup, and a network of botanical complex sugars will pull skin in. Effects are immediate but temporary, says Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., a derm in Washington, D.C.


- Deflate Fast: Trace your T-zone with a skin-matching liquid foundation, such as Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation, then blend outward with a base two shades darker. The perimeter will recede, drawing the eye to the lighter middle, so your face appears narrow, says Joanna Schlip, a Physicians Formula makeup artist in L.A.

RELATED: 20 Superfoods For Weight Loss

- Chisel Cheeks: Starting at the center of your forehead, sweep matte bronzer along hairline, under cheeks, around jaw and on sides of neck. Highlight and elongate the middle of your face by dusting light shimmer powder (try Giorgio Armani Belladonna Palette Highlighter) on tops of cheeks, bridge of nose and center of chin.

- Fatten Lashes: Go big (think doe-eyed) to look smaller. "High-volume lashes create proportion, minimizing width elsewhere," Roncal says. Layer two extra coats of black volumizing mascara, such as L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, adding one more at outer corners and fanning lashes to temples.

RELATED: 5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

- Mouth Off: Even your lipcolor can have slimming superpowers, says Mally Roncal, founder of Mally Beauty. Dab a soft pink or nude shade at the center of your top and bottom lips, then diffuse with a finger. You'll create an allover monochromatic effect that downplays any puffiness. We like Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm in Nudetrients.

More from SELF:
The 24-Minute At-Home Boot Camp
Secrets To Firing Up Your Metabolism
6 Moves To Resize Your Butt and Thighs
Secrets to Slimming Down in 14 Days!