Contouring involves using makeup to enhance your face's natural shadows and create the illusion of depth and definition. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Prep Your Products and Face
- Gather your supplies: You'll need a contour product (powder, cream, or stick – choose one darker than your skin tone), a highlighter, a blending brush, and your regular makeup base (foundation, concealer).
- Prepare your base: Apply your foundation and concealer as you normally would to create a smooth canvas.
2. Trace Your Cheekbones
- Locate your cheekbones: Find the hollows of your cheeks by sucking in your cheeks or feeling for the bone structure.
- Apply the contour: Starting from your ear and moving towards the corner of your mouth, apply the contour product along the hollow of your cheekbone. Don't bring it all the way to your mouth; stop about two finger widths away. A good guideline is to follow a line from the top of your ear to the corner of your mouth, stopping before you get there.
3. Sculpt Nose, Jawline, and Hairline (Optional)
- Nose: If desired, apply thin lines of contour along the sides of your nose, starting from the inner corners of your eyebrows and going down towards the tip. You can also apply a small amount under the tip of your nose to create a shorter appearance.
- Jawline: Apply contour along your jawline, starting from under your ears and blending towards your chin. This helps to define your jaw and create a more sculpted look.
- Hairline: If you have a large forehead, apply contour along your hairline to make it appear smaller.
4. Buff and Blend
- Blend, blend, blend: This is the most crucial step. Use a blending brush to soften the lines of the contour, ensuring there are no harsh edges. Blend upwards and outwards. If you're using cream or stick contour, a damp makeup sponge can be helpful for blending.
5. Finish with Highlighter
- Apply highlighter: Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid's bow (the dip in your upper lip), and under your brow bone. This will bring light to these areas and further enhance the contrast between the contoured areas and the highlighted areas.
Tips for Success:
- Start light: It's easier to add more contour than it is to remove too much.
- Choose the right shade: Select a contour shade that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone. Avoid shades that are too orange or too red.
- Consider your face shape: Different face shapes benefit from different contouring techniques. Research tutorials specific to your face shape for best results.
- Practice makes perfect: Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect. Keep practicing and experimenting until you find a technique that works for you.
By following these steps, you can successfully contour your face and create a more sculpted and defined look.
