Contouring: The Ultimate Guide to Sculpting Your Face
Contouring is a makeup technique that uses light and dark shades to create the illusion of depth and dimension on the face. It can be used to enhance your natural features, slim down your face, or create a whole new look.
How to Contour
To contour, you’ll need a contour palette or cream, a brush, and a sponge or beauty blender.
- Start with a clean face. Apply your usual moisturizer and primer.
- Choose a contour shade that is two to three shades darker than your skin tone. If you have fair skin, choose a light brown shade. If you have medium skin, choose a medium brown shade. If you have dark skin, choose a deep brown shade.
- Apply the contour shade to the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, and your temples. Use a brush to blend the contour shade into your skin.
- Highlight the high points of your face. Apply a highlighter shade to your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your forehead. Use a sponge or beauty blender to blend the highlighter shade into your skin.
- Set your makeup with a powder. This will help to keep your contour in place all day long.
Tips for Contouring
- Use a light hand. Contouring is all about creating subtle shadows and highlights. If you apply too much contour or highlighter, you’ll end up looking clownish.
- Blend well. The key to a natural-looking contour is to blend the contour and highlighter shades well. Use a brush or sponge to blend the shades into your skin until there are no harsh lines.
- Experiment with different shades. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to contouring. Experiment with different contour and highlighter shades to find what works best for you.
Contouring for Different Face Shapes
- Oval face: Contour the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, and your temples. Highlight the high points of your face, including your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your forehead.
- Round face: Contour around the perimeter of your face, including the forehead, cheeks, and jawline. Highlight the center of your face, including the cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the chin.
- Square face: Contour the sides of your forehead, the hollows of your cheeks, and the jawline. Highlight the center of your face, including the cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the chin.
- Heart-shaped face: Contour the sides of your forehead, the hollows of your cheeks, and the chin. Highlight the center of your face, including the cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the forehead.
- Long face: Contour the forehead, the sides of your nose, and the jawline. Highlight the center of your face, including the cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the chin.
Contouring for Different Skin Tones
- Fair skin: Use light brown or taupe contour shades and champagne or ivory highlighter shades.
- Medium skin: Use medium brown or bronze contour shades and golden or peachy highlighter shades.
- Dark skin: Use deep brown or chocolate contour shades and gold or caramel highlighter shades.
FAQs about Contouring
- What is the difference between contouring and highlighting? Contouring uses dark shades to create the illusion of depth and dimension, while highlighting uses light shades to create the illusion of height and fullness.
- Can I contour with just one product? Yes, you can use a contour and highlight duo or a cream contour stick. However, using separate contour and highlighter products gives you more control over the intensity of your contour and highlight.
- How do I contour my nose? To contour your nose, apply a contour shade to the sides of your nose. Blend the contour shade well, and then apply a highlighter shade to the bridge of your nose.
- How do I contour my jawline? To contour your jawline, apply a contour shade to the bottom of your jawline. Blend the contour shade well, and then apply a highlighter shade to the top of your jawline.
- How do I contour my cheeks? To contour your cheeks, apply a contour shade to the hollows of your cheeks. Blend the contour shade well, and then apply a highlighter shade to the apples of your cheeks.
Conclusion
Contouring is a versatile makeup technique that can be used to create a variety of looks. With a little practice, you can master the art of contouring and use it to enhance your natural features and create a more sculpted look.
