How to contour with shape tape?

Contouring with a cream product like Tarte's Shape Tape (or their dedicated Sculpt Tape contour wand) helps define and sculpt your features for a more dimensional look. While Shape Tape is primarily known as a concealer, a darker shade can be used for contouring, following similar techniques to those used with Tarte Sculpt Tape.

Here’s how to apply contour using a wand applicator product, drawing on techniques demonstrated with Tarte Sculpt Tape:

## Preparing Your Base

Start with your foundation or base makeup already applied. This provides a smooth canvas for the contour product.

## Strategic Product Placement

Contour is typically placed in areas you want to recede or create shadow. The goal is to mimic natural shadows on the face. Using the wand applicator, apply the product to the specific points where you want to create definition.

*   **Under the Cheekbones:** Draw a line in the hollows of your cheeks, starting from your hairline and stopping around the middle of your cheek.
*   **Forehead:** To reduce the appearance of a large forehead or add warmth around the hairline. *As shown in techniques for Tarte Sculpt Tape*, apply **"three dots along your forehead,"** making sure **"not to bring this too far down"** towards the center of your forehead.
*   **Jawline:** To define the jaw and potentially minimize a double chin appearance. *According to guidance on using products like Sculpt Tape*, apply **"three below your jawline"** dots or small lines along the bone.
*   **Sides of the Nose (Optional):** Draw thin lines down the sides of your nose to make it appear narrower.

## The Blending Technique

Blending is crucial for a seamless, natural-looking contour. Use a damp makeup sponge or a dense contour brush.

*   **General Blending:** Gently tap or buff the product into the skin. Avoid dragging, which can remove the product.
*   **Upward Motion:** *As specifically recommended in techniques for blending products like Sculpt Tape*, **"blend upwards."** Blend the contour on your cheekbones upwards towards your hairline. Blend the forehead contour upwards towards your hairline. Blend the jawline contour upwards towards your ear and jawline. This **"upwards motion"** helps lift the face and prevents the contour from looking muddy or dragging your features down.

## Setting Your Contour

For longer-lasting contour, especially if you have oily skin, you can set the cream contour with a powder contour product or a translucent setting powder. Apply the powder lightly over the areas where you applied the cream contour.

## Pro Tips for a Seamless Finish

*   **Choose the Right Shade:** Select a contour shade that is about 2-3 shades darker than your natural skin tone and has a cool or neutral undertone to mimic real shadows.
*   **Start Small:** You can always add more product if needed, but it's harder to take away if you apply too much initially. The dot technique helps control the amount.
*   **Clean Lines:** For a sharper look, you can use a lighter concealer below your cheekbone contour line and along your jawline after blending the contour, then blend the edges.

Following these steps, including the specific dot placement and upward blending technique, will help you effectively contour your face using a cream wand product like Tarte Shape Tape (in a darker shade) or Tarte Sculpt Tape.