Why Makeup Artists Are Obsessed With The "Brown Pencil Theory"

"It's been hypothesized that all you need in your makeup bag is a single brown pencil. Forget eyeshadow, contour, freckle pens, lip liners - the right brown will do all the work for you. This is the "brown pencil theory," which says that you can do your entire face with just this item. It'll probably look even better than if you'd used five separate products. That's why it's gaining traction amongst makeup lovers and pros alike."

"So how does it actually work in practice? To try it yourself, Peace says to grab your favorite brown pencil and lightly smudge out the pigment anywhere you want more depth, like below the cheekbones and in the creases of the eye. Warming the product up on the back of your hand will make it more blendable. From there, you can run it down the sides of your nose, under the tip, and across the bridge for a natural-looking nose contour."

A versatile brown pencil can replace multiple products by functioning as eyeliner, eyeshadow, brow filler, contour, and bronzer, enabling a cohesive monochrome look. Cool browns create shadow and contour, while warm browns add bronzy warmth. Warming the pencil on the back of the hand improves blendability for smudging into cheek hollows, eye creases, and hairline warmth. The pencil can subtly contour the nose, fill sparse hairline areas with sideways shading, and generally add sculpting and depth. Shade selection and a creamy, blendable formula are essential for natural, flattering results.

Read at Bustle