How to Contour: 6 Simple Steps to Master Makeup Contouring

 

To create a glam contour makeup look, you don't need to be a pro or pay for one.

What Does Makeup Contouring Mean?

Modeling and adding dimension to your face with makeup that is a little darker or lighter than your natural skin tone is known as contouring. In contrast to regular foundation and concealer, which we typically want to match our skin colour precisely, contouring is all about fusing shadow and light.

What is Needed for Contouring?

You can accomplish this without using a specialized contour kit: To contour, you can use two shades of concealer, foundation, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, or even brow powder! Just make sure all of your makeup products have the same texture (layering liquid and cream products over powder can result in a cakey look) and that you have the proper brushes on hand.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Contouring

Depending on your bone structure and face shape, contouring should enhance your natural facial features. It will vary from person to person.

1 - Prepare the face

Always begin with your skincare: To prevent makeup from clumping up around any dry skin or harsh lines, wash your face and moisturize. Primer is optional, but if you're going for a more elaborate makeup look, you might as well. In order for your skincare and makeup products to work better and last longer, primer acts as a buffer between them. Apply a small amount of foundation or concealer to your skin to even it out and conceal any blemishes or discoloration in colours that complement your natural skin tone and undertone.

2 - Shadow

Using your darker shade to cast a shadow beneath your cheekbones is the simplest and most common way to contour. By sucking in your cheeks and tracing the product along the hollows of your cheeks, following the contours of your jawline and temples, you can locate your cheekbones. You can place your shadow in one of three locations, depending on the shape of your face and your distinctive facial features: along the sides of your nose; in a "3" shape that follows your hairline, beneath your cheekbones, and along your jawline; or in the shape of an upside-down triangle framing your cheeks. Find the look that suits you by experimenting with various lines and using shadows to shape your face.

3 - Highlight

To areas of your face that reflect light naturally, such as your forehead, the bridge of your nose, the tip of your nose, the top of your cheekbones, your cupid's bow, and the area around your eyes and brow bone, use a lighter shade or a highlighter. Use an eyeshadow, highlighter, or concealer that is shimmery (not sparkly!) and slightly lighter than your skin tone.

4 - Blush

It's not necessary to apply blush to the apples of your cheeks for a contouring look, but it can make your makeup appear more natural by serving as a transitional colour between your shadow and highlight areas.

5 - Blend

Blending is crucial because you're using shades that don't match your skin tone. Blend your shadows and highlights into your skin or foundation layer with a large, fluffy brush, blending brush, or makeup sponge until the lines you drew appear more natural.

6 - Set

Apply setting spray or powder for a flawless finish.

The main advice is to use the contour shades to define your cheekbones, slim and narrow any larger or more pronounced areas of your face while using the highlight shades to draw attention to any areas of your face and brighten the area around your eyes.