FAQ About Makeup Techniques

Contouring is a makeup technique that involves using darker and lighter shades to sculpt and enhance the natural features of your face. It can add definition to your cheekbones, slim down the appearance of your nose, and create the illusion of a more sculpted jawline. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to contour your face effectively:

Step 1: Gather your products

• Contour product: Choose a matte, cool-toned bronzer or contour powder that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. Avoid using products with orange undertones.
• Highlight product: Pick a concealer or highlighter that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone.
• Makeup brushes or sponges: You'll need a contour brush or a small angled brush for contouring and a blending brush or sponge for seamless blending.

Step 2: Map your face

• Identify the areas you want to contour. Common areas include the hollows of your cheeks, along the sides of your nose, the jawline, and the temples.
• Identify the areas you want to highlight. Common areas include the center of the forehead, under the eyes, the bridge of the nose, the chin, and the high points of the cheekbones.

Step 3: Contouring

• Hollows of the cheeks: Suck in your cheeks to locate the hollows. Apply the contour shade directly into the hollows using your contour brush or angled brush. Start near the hairline and blend the product inwards towards your mouth.
• Nose: Apply the contour shade on the sides of your nose, starting from the bridge and extending down towards the nostrils. Blend the product well to create a slimming effect.
• Jawline: Apply the contour shade along the jawline to add definition. Blend the product downwards towards your neck for a natural look.
• Temples: If you want to add dimension to your forehead, lightly contour the temples by sweeping the product along the hairline.

Step 4: Highlighting

• Under eyes: Apply the highlighter in an inverted triangle shape under your eyes to brighten and lift the area.
• Center of forehead: Apply the highlighter to the center of your forehead to add brightness.
• Bridge of the nose: Lightly highlight the bridge of your nose to make it appear more defined.
• Chin: Apply a small amount of highlighter to the center of your chin to accentuate it.
• Cheekbones: Highlight the high points of your cheekbones to add a radiant glow.

Step 5: Blend, blend, blend!

• Use a clean blending brush or makeup sponge to blend the contour and highlight products into your skin. Blending is key to achieving a natural look, so make sure there are no harsh lines or obvious color differences.

Step 6: Set your makeup (optional)

• If you want your contour to last longer, set your makeup with a translucent powder or setting spray.