Three Editors Try Out the Viral Underpainting Palette by Hailey Bieber’s Makeup Artist It’s official: Mary Phillips, Hailey Bieber’s makeup artist, has just launched her own makeup brand, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

August 26, 2025 WSW 3 Views

Photography by PS | Naomi Parris, Jessica Harrington, and Renee Rodriguez

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It’s official: Mary Phillips, Hailey Bieber’s makeup artist, has launched her own makeup line, and our excitement is palpable. Phillips is behind the iconic looks of celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa, and Jennifer Lopez. She has introduced various makeup techniques, notably underpainting, which took social media by storm. That’s why we chose to test her inaugural product, the
M.ph by Mary Phillips Underpainting Highlight and Contour Palette ($64).

Wondering what underpainting is? Simply put, it’s painting your concealer, contour, blush, and sometimes highlight before applying foundation. According to celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder, this technique turns the traditional makeup application on its head. While it has been around for a while, it has gained immense popularity through platforms like TikTok and Instagram in recent years.

The M.ph Underpainting Palette is available in three shades: light, medium, and deep. Each palette contains five shades: a color corrector, two highlight shades, and two contour shades. All are cream-based and designed for a natural finish, allowing for easy sculpting.

The brand suggests starting with the color corrector, adding contour next, followed by highlight. Finish off by applying your preferred foundation or base makeup over bare areas.

Sounds simple, right? To properly evaluate it, three editors with varying skin types and tones put it to the test. Scroll down for our candid reviews of the new M.ph by Mary Phillips Underpainting Highlight and Contour Palette.

M.ph by Mary Phillips Underpainting Highlight and Contour Palette

From

$64

The Underpainting Highlight and Contour Palette in Light

“Mary Phillips’s reputation is stellar, so I was eager to try her new brand when I heard about it. The lip liners are fantastic, but the standout product is definitely the underpainting palette. I looked at her Instagram for an instructional video, but with just five shades, it seemed simple enough. I used the color corrector for under my eyes, highlighter on my forehead, nose, and chin, plus the cool-toned contour for cheekbones, forehead, and jawline. The dual-ended brush is excellent for blending, allowing the pigments to meld beautifully into my skin for a natural effect. After applying a skin tint using tapping motions to keep everything in place, my makeup appeared perfectly lifted. Even after 12 hours, it still looked fabulous, with just slight creasing under my eyes.” — Jessica Harrington, beauty section lead

The Underpainting Highlight and Contour Palette in Medium

“I’ve been following the underpainting technique for a while now, mainly because I’m a fan of Hailey Bieber and Mary Phillips (her makeup artist). I remember when Bieber shared her journey of learning the technique from Phillips; I was instantly intrigued. I’ve integrated Phillips’s makeup tips into my routine, making me eager to see if her palette would live up to my expectations.

Having a skin tone that sits between olive and neutral, I chose the medium palette. The shades are impressively pigmented—a little goes a long way—and the creamy texture blended seamlessly. While I’m not fond of the underpainting brush since I prefer larger brushes, it’s still an excellent option. The compact size of the palette is ideal for someone like me who enjoys minimal makeup; it’s easy to use and delivers on its promises—definitely a winner for me.” — Renee Rodriguez, senior staff writer and social producer

The Underpainting Highlight and Contour Palette in Deep

“Though I love makeup, I tend to stick to my tried-and-true products, especially when it comes to contouring. I’ve used the same powder bronzer for years, but Mary Phillips’s palette has changed my outlook. I got to try the Underpainting Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush ($38), which was incredibly easy for even a beginner. One of the shades matched my tanned skin perfectly, providing the right dimension and glow without looking overdone. This Contour I shade is definitely going to become a staple in my makeup routine.” — Naomi Parris, assistant shopping editor

Renee Rodriguez (she/her) serves as a senior staff writer and social producer for PS, specializing in fashion and beauty content, particularly reviews and editor trials. She also crafts social media content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.