ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE | BEAUTY
Article Published on: 17TH NOV 2024 | www.demodemagazine.com
Contouring is a transformative makeup technique that allows you to accentuate your best features, sculpt your face, and create a more defined look. Whether you're aiming for a natural everyday look or a more dramatic effect, contouring involves using light and shadow to enhance facial structure. Knowing where and how to apply contour and highlight can enhance your cheekbones, slim your nose, and make your face appear more symmetrical. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving a flattering contour, along with expert tips on highlighting and defining your features to suit your face shape and desired look.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Contour and Highlight Products
The first step to mastering contouring is selecting the appropriate products for your skin tone and type. Here’s what to consider:
Contour Shades: Look for a contour shade that’s 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Cooler undertones give a more shadowy effect, while warmer tones can create a bronzed look. Choose cream products for a dewy, natural finish or powders for a matte, more defined look.
Highlight Shades: A highlighter should be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone. Select a product that reflects light, like a shimmery powder or cream, or a concealer for a more subtle, natural look.
Brushes and Tools: Invest in a contour brush, angled brush, and a beauty sponge. A contour brush is ideal for blending out the contour lines, while an angled brush can help with more precise application. A beauty sponge can help create a seamless, blended look.
Step 2: Understanding Your Face Shape
Every face is unique, and the placement of contour and highlight will depend on your specific face shape. Here’s a quick guide for different face shapes:
Oval: Focus on highlighting the forehead, under the eyes, and down the center of the nose. Contour below the cheekbones and around the perimeter of the forehead for balance.
Round: To create a slimming effect, contour along the sides of the face and temples, and highlight the forehead and chin. This adds dimension and elongates the face.
Square: Soften the angles of your face by contouring along the jawline and around the edges of the forehead. Highlight the center of the forehead and chin to balance the structure.
Heart: Contour around the edges of the forehead and below the cheekbones. Highlight down the center of the nose and chin for balance.
Long: To create a balanced look, contour the top of the forehead and along the jawline. Highlight under the eyes and across the middle of the forehead to soften the face.
Step 3: Applying Contour for Definition
Forehead: If you want to reduce the appearance of a larger forehead, apply contour along the hairline. This creates depth, making the forehead appear smaller. Use a stippling motion to blend the contour into the skin for a natural effect.
Cheekbones: Sucking in your cheeks can help you locate the hollow areas below your cheekbones. Apply contour directly in these hollows and blend upwards toward the ear. Avoid dragging the contour downwards, as this can make the face appear droopy.
Jawline: For a chiseled jawline, apply contour along the edge of your jaw, just below the jawbone. Blend downwards towards the neck to avoid any harsh lines. This will create the illusion of a more defined jaw and reduce the appearance of a double chin.
Nose: For a slimmer nose, apply a small amount of contour along the sides of the nose bridge, blending downward. Be subtle, as over-contouring can look unnatural. A narrow line down the center of the nose with highlighter can create the appearance of a taller, more defined nose.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema | Source: www.unsplash.com
Step 4: Applying Highlighter for Brightness
Highlighting works by attracting light to certain areas of the face, giving a lifted, youthful appearance.
Under the Eyes: Apply a brightening concealer or highlighter under your eyes in a triangular shape. This technique lifts the face, conceals dark circles, and brightens your overall look.
Bridge of the Nose: A thin line of highlighter down the bridge of your nose can help make it appear straighter and more defined. Avoid highlighting the tip if you don’t want it to appear larger.
Cupid’s Bow: A small touch of highlighter on the Cupid’s bow (the top center of the upper lip) can make your lips appear fuller and more defined. This is particularly flattering when paired with lipstick or lip gloss.
Chin: Adding a small amount of highlighter to the center of the chin can add balance to your facial features, particularly if you have a round or square face shape.
Brow Bone and Inner Corners of Eyes: Applying highlighter just below the brow bone lifts and defines your eyes. A dab in the inner corners of your eyes brightens your look and makes your eyes appear more awake.
Center of the Forehead: A subtle touch of highlighter on the center of your forehead adds dimension, helping balance contour applied along the hairline.
Step 5: Blending for a Natural Look
Blending is crucial to achieving a natural-looking contour. After placing contour and highlight, use a damp beauty sponge or brush to blend in circular motions. Aim for a seamless transition between the contour, highlight, and your skin, with no visible lines or harsh edges.
Step 6: Setting Your Contour
After applying and blending, set your contour and highlight with translucent powder to lock everything in place. If you used cream products, a light dusting of powder contour and highlighter over these areas can intensify the effect. If you prefer a more dewy look, opt for a setting spray instead of powder.
Expert Tips for Perfecting Your Contour
Less is More: Start with a light application and build up the intensity gradually. It’s easier to add more product than to remove it, especially with darker contour shades.
Use the Right Tools: Different tools create different effects. Brushes offer more precision, while sponges create a softer, more blended effect. Experiment to see which tool works best for each step of your routine.
Avoid Shimmer in Contour: Contour should create shadow, so choose matte products for a realistic effect. Shimmery products are best reserved for highlighting.
Layer for Longevity: To ensure your contour lasts all day, layer cream and powder contour products. Apply a cream contour, blend it well, and set it with a matching powder contour for maximum staying power.
Adapt to Lighting: Natural lighting is best when applying makeup, as it gives the most accurate representation of how the contour will look. If you’re getting ready under artificial light, be aware that it can cast shadows, making the contour appear heavier.
Adapt to Your Skin Tone: If you have fair skin, avoid overly dark contour shades, as they can appear harsh. Opt for cooler tones. Medium and darker skin tones can handle warmer and deeper shades, which create a more natural effect.
Practice Makes Perfect: Contouring is a skill that improves with practice. Try experimenting with different techniques and products to see what suits your face shape and preferences best.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema | Source: www.unsplash.com
Conclusion
Contouring and highlighting can transform your look by emphasizing your natural features and adding dimension to your face. With the right products, techniques, and a bit of practice, you can achieve a flattering contour that enhances your unique beauty. Remember, the key is to create subtle shadows and highlights that mimic the natural contours of your face, giving you a polished and well-defined appearance. Whether you’re getting ready for a casual day or a glamorous night out, a well-executed contour can elevate your makeup and boost your confidence.