How were special effects added in movies like The Shadow ( 1994 ) when CGI wasn't around?

In the following trailer during 00:37 - 00:39 there is a face transition. It's speculated that it was [combination of makeup and morphing.](https://film.avclub.com/telekinetic-buddhist-cab-ride-revisiting-the-shadow-1-1798271376)

Any idea how this was achieved?