How To Contour?

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Do you ever wonder how celebrities achieve those perfectly sculpted cheekbones and jawlines? Well, fret no more because we’ve got the ultimate guide on how to contour like a pro! Contouring is the art of using makeup to enhance your facial features and create the illusion of shadow and depth. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of achieving a flawless contour, from choosing the right products to blending like a pro. Get ready to slay those selfies and turn heads with your impeccable contouring skills!

Table of Contents

Choosing the Right Products

Contouring is a popular makeup technique that helps define and sculpt your facial features. But in order to achieve the perfect contour, it’s essential to choose the right products that match your skin tone and undertone. In this section, we’ll explore the importance of understanding your skin tone and undertone, as well as how to select the right contour shade.

Understanding Your Skin Tone and Undertone

Before diving into the world of contouring, it’s crucial to determine your skin tone and undertone. Your skin tone refers to the overall color of your complexion, while your undertone refers to the subtle hues underneath the surface of your skin. Knowing your skin tone and undertone will guide you in finding the right contour shade that complements your natural features.

To determine your skin tone, observe the color of your veins on the underside of your wrist. If your veins appear blue, you likely have a cool undertone. If they appear green, you likely have a warm undertone. If it’s difficult to distinguish between blue and green, you may have a neutral undertone.

Once you’ve identified your undertone, you can choose a contour shade that complements it. For cool undertones, opt for contour shades with ashy or cool undertones. For warm undertones, choose shades with warmer undertones, such as bronze or terracotta. Neutral undertones can experiment with both warm and cool contour shades.

Selecting the Right Contour Shade

When selecting a contour shade, it’s crucial to choose a color that is slightly darker than your natural skin tone. This will create the illusion of shadow and depth, enhancing your facial features. However, be careful not to choose a shade that is too dark, as it can make your contour appear unnatural and harsh.

To find the perfect contour shade, swatch a few options on your jawline or the side of your face. The shade that blends seamlessly into your skin and mimics a natural shadow is the one to go for. Remember, contouring should enhance your features, not overpower them.

Additionally, consider the finish of the contour product. Cream contours provide a more natural and dewy finish, while powder contours create a matte effect. Choose the type of product that aligns with your desired makeup look and skin type. Experiment with different formulations to find the one that works best for you.

Materials and Tools Needed

Apart from selecting the right products, having the right tools is equally important for a successful contour. Here are some essential materials and tools you’ll need:

Contour Brush: A soft, fluffy brush with a small and angled head is ideal for precise application and blending.
Beauty Sponge: A damp sponge helps to seamlessly blend cream contour products into the skin, creating a natural-looking contour.
Powder Brush: Choose a medium-sized fluffy brush for applying and blending powder contours.
Highlighter: An illuminating highlighter that suits your skin tone will help enhance your features and complete the contour look.
Mirror: A well-lit mirror is an essential tool to ensure accuracy and precision during the contouring process.

Having these materials and tools at hand will make your contouring experience much more enjoyable and effortless. Now that you’re equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools, it’s time to move on to the next step: prepping your skin.

Prepping Your Skin

Preparing your skin before the contouring process is vital to ensure a smooth and flawless finish. In this section, we’ll discuss the importance of cleansing and moisturizing your skin, as well as the benefits of applying primer.

Cleansing and Moisturizing

Before delving into the world of contour, it’s crucial to start with a clean canvas. Cleansing your face removes dirt, oil, and impurities, ensuring a fresh base for makeup application. Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Once your face is clean, moisturize to keep your skin hydrated and smooth. Applying moisturizer not only creates a protective barrier but also allows your makeup to adhere better, resulting in a more even and long-lasting contour. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type, whether it’s dry, oily, or combination.

Applying Primer

To create a flawless base and prolong the wear of your contour, applying primer is essential. Primer acts as a base for your makeup, filling in fine lines, minimizing pores, and creating a smooth canvas for your contour products. It also helps your makeup adhere better, making it last throughout the day or evening.

Choose a primer that suits your skin type and concerns. If you have oily skin, opt for a mattifying primer to control shine. If you have dry skin, choose a hydrating primer to provide moisture. Additionally, there are primers available to address specific concerns, such as redness or dullness.

Identifying Your Face Shape

The key to achieving a perfectly sculpted contour lies in identifying and understanding your face shape. Your face shape will determine the areas where you’ll apply contour and highlight to create a harmonious balance. In this section, we’ll explore different face shapes and their corresponding contour techniques.

Oval Face

If you have an oval face shape, you’re incredibly fortunate, as this shape is considered the most versatile and balanced. To enhance your features, focus on defining your cheekbones by applying contour just below the hollows of your cheeks. Blend the contour upward and outward towards your temples for a seamless transition.

Round Face

For those with a round face shape, contouring can create the illusion of more defined angles and sharpness. Apply contour along your hairline and beneath your cheekbones, blending towards your ears. Create a shadow under your jawline to add definition. Ensure to blend thoroughly to avoid harsh lines and create a soft, natural-looking contour.

Square Face

If you have a square face shape, contouring can help soften your strong jawline and add dimension to your features. Apply contour along your hairline, focusing on the corners of your forehead to create a more rounded appearance. Shade beneath your cheekbones, blending diagonally towards your ears. Finally, apply contour to the sides of your jawline to create a more tapered and narrow effect.

Heart-shaped Face

Those blessed with a heart-shaped face can enhance their features by focusing on creating balance and softness. Apply contour along your hairline to minimize the width of your forehead. Shade beneath your cheekbones, blending towards your temples. To soften the point of your chin, apply contour along the jawline, blending downward towards your neck.

Long Face

Individuals with a long face shape can use contouring to create the illusion of width and add more definition to their features. Apply contour along your hairline horizontally, focusing on the temples. Shade beneath your cheekbones, blending towards the center of your ears. Finally, apply contour to the tip of your chin to minimize length and create balance.

Diamond Face

Diamond-shaped faces are known for their angular features, and contouring can emphasize these unique characteristics. Apply contour along your hairline, starting from the forehead towards the temples. Shade beneath your cheekbones, blending towards your ears. To create a more balanced look, contour the sides of your jawline, focusing on the widest part and blending towards your chin.

Now that you’ve identified your face shape and learned the appropriate contour techniques, it’s time to move on to mapping out your contour.

Mapping Out Your Contour

Mapping out your contour is crucial to ensure a well-defined and natural-looking result. In this section, we’ll discuss the technique of using light and shadow, as well as how to determine your cheekbones, define your jawline, slim your nose, and enhance your forehead or temples.

Using Light and Shadow

Contouring is essentially the art of using light and shadow to sculpt and enhance your facial features. Shadows create the illusion of depth and dimension, while highlights bring forward and accentuate certain areas. By strategically placing shadows and highlights, you can create the desired effects and balance in your contour.

When applying contour, focus on areas where you want to create a shadow or recede. This typically includes the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, the perimeter of your forehead, and the sides of your face. On the other hand, apply highlighter to areas you want to bring forward, such as the high points of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, and your cupid’s bow.

Determining Your Cheekbones

To determine where to apply contour on your cheekbones, start by identifying the hollows of your cheeks. This can be done by sucking in your cheeks or placing your fingers on your face, feeling for the underdeveloped area. Once located, apply contour just below the hollows of your cheeks, creating a diagonal line towards your temples. Blend the contour thoroughly for a natural finish.

Defining Your Jawline

Defining your jawline with contour adds structure and sharpness to your face. To determine where to apply contour, place two fingers horizontally beneath your earlobe and draw an imaginary line towards your chin. Apply contour along this line, creating a shadow that emphasizes the angle of your jawline. Blend the contour downward towards the neck for a seamless effect.

Slimming Your Nose

If you desire a slimmer-looking nose, contouring can be an effective technique. To slim your nose, apply contour down the sides of your nose, starting from the inner corners of your eyebrows and ending at the tip of your nose. Blend the contour well to avoid any noticeable lines. Remember to apply a lighter shade down the center of your nose to create the illusion of height and straightness.

Enhancing Forehead or Temples

Contouring the forehead or temples can add more dimension and balance to your overall contour. If you want to reduce the appearance of a larger forehead, apply contour along the hairline, blending horizontally towards the center of your forehead. To enhance the temples, apply contour in a C shape, starting at the outer corner of your eyebrow and blending towards your hairline. This technique adds depth and creates a more three-dimensional effect.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the mapping technique and how to contour various areas of your face, let’s move on to mastering the art of blending.

Blending Techniques

Blending is an essential step in achieving a seamless and natural-looking contour. In this section, we’ll explore the importance of choosing the right brushes, the techniques of buffing and blending, and how to avoid harsh lines.

Choosing the Right Brushes

When it comes to blending your contour, choosing the right brushes can make all the difference. For cream contour products, opt for a soft, fluffy brush with a small and angled head. This will allow you to have better control and precision when applying and blending the product. A beauty sponge can also be an excellent tool for blending cream contours, as it seamlessly melds the product into the skin.

For powder contour products, choose a medium-sized fluffy brush with soft bristles. This type of brush enables better diffusion of the powder, creating a more natural and blended finish. Ensure that your brushes are clean and free from any excess product to prevent muddying or diluting the contour color.

Buffing and Blending

To achieve a flawless contour, the technique of buffing and blending is crucial. Whether you’re using cream or powder contours, the process remains relatively similar. After applying the contour product to the desired areas, start by buffing the product in circular motions. This helps to blend the contour into the skin, ensuring a seamless transition between the product and your natural skin tone.

Continue blending the product until there are no harsh lines or noticeable differences in color. Remember to blend the contour upwards and outwards to maintain a natural and lifted appearance. Take your time during this step, as thorough blending is the key to achieving a flawless and well-blended contour.

Avoiding Harsh Lines

One of the most common mistakes in contouring is leaving behind harsh lines, resulting in an unnatural and unblended appearance. To avoid this, ensure that your contour products are adequately blended and diffused into your skin. Pay close attention to areas such as the edges of your contour, the jawline, and the sides of your nose.

If you notice any harsh lines, use a clean blending brush or a damp beauty sponge to soften and blend the product further. Alternatively, you can also use translucent powder to blur any noticeable edges and create a seamless finish. Remember, a well-blended contour should seamlessly enhance your features without drawing attention to the technique itself.

Now that you’ve mastered the art of blending, it’s time to add some radiance to your contour with highlighting.

Highlighting

Highlighting is the perfect finishing touch to your contour, adding luminosity and radiance to your features. In this section, we’ll discuss the importance of choosing the right highlighter and how to apply it to accentuate your features.

Choosing the Right Highlighter

When selecting a highlighter, it’s important to consider your skin tone, undertone, and the desired finish. Highlighters come in a variety of shades, ranging from champagne to gold to pink and beyond. The key is to choose a shade that complements your skin tone and enhances your natural glow.

For those with fair to light skin tones, pearl or champagne shades work well. If you have medium to olive skin tones, golden shades add warmth and radiance. Deep skin tones can opt for bronze or copper shades for a beautifully illuminated effect. If you have cooler undertones, look for highlighters with pink or icy undertones. Warmer undertones can experiment with peach or gold shades.

Applying Highlighter to Accentuate Features

Highlighter is typically applied to the high points of your face, where the light naturally hits. These areas include the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the cupid’s bow, the brow bone, and the inner corners of your eyes. Applying highlighter to these areas will instantly bring forward and accentuate your features.

Using a small and fluffy brush or your fingertips, gently apply the highlighter to the desired areas. Start with a small amount, gradually building up the intensity until you achieve your desired level of glow. Remember, a little goes a long way with highlighter, so start with a subtle application and build it up if needed.

With the contour and highlight applied, it’s time to set your masterpiece.

Setting Your Contour

Setting your contour is an essential step to ensure longevity and prevent any undesired fading or smudging. In this section, we’ll explore the options of using powder or cream products and how to apply translucent powder to set your contour.

Using Powder or Cream Products

Whether you choose to use powder or cream contour products, setting your contour can enhance its durability. If you opted for cream contours, consider setting them with a matching powder contour. This will help to lock in the cream product, preventing it from smudging or transferring throughout the day.

If you used powder contour products, setting might not be necessary. However, if you have oily skin or want to prolong the wear of your contour, you can lightly dust a translucent powder over the contour areas to set the product in place. This will help mattify your contour and give it a long-lasting finish.

Applying Translucent Powder

To set your contour, start by lightly dipping a fluffy powder brush into a translucent powder. Tap off any excess product to avoid over-application. Gently sweep the brush over the areas where you applied contour, ensuring a light and even coverage. The translucent powder will help to set the contour, prevent it from shifting, and create a seamless finish.

Remember to blend the powder thoroughly into your skin to avoid any visible lines or patches. A light hand is key during this step as you want to set without disturbing the carefully crafted contour. With your contour set, you can confidently rock your sculpted look throughout the day or evening.

Contouring for Different Occasions

Contouring can be adapted for different occasions, whether it’s a natural daytime look, a dramatic evening look, or contouring for photography. In this section, we’ll discuss the techniques and adjustments needed to create various contour looks.

Natural Daytime Contour

For a natural daytime contour, the key is to keep it soft and subtle. Opt for lighter shades of contour to achieve a more natural-looking shadow. Use a light hand when applying and blending the product, focusing on enhancing your features without overwhelming them. Stick to matte or satin finishes for a more daytime-appropriate look.

Dramatic Evening Contour

When it comes to a dramatic evening contour, you can certainly amp up the intensity. Choose a contour shade that is slightly deeper and more pronounced than your natural skin tone. Apply and blend the product with a slightly heavier hand to create more striking shadows and definition.

For an evening look, you can experiment with shimmer or metallic finishes for your contour and highlight. These finishes will add a touch of glamour and elevate the overall look. Remember to adjust the intensity of your contour based on the lighting of the evening event to ensure it remains visible and impactful.

Contouring for Photography

Contouring for photography requires careful consideration of how makeup translates on camera. The right contouring techniques and products can ensure your features are accentuated and defined in photographs. Here are a few tips for contouring for photography:

Use matte contour products: Shimmer or glittery contour products can create unwanted reflections under flash photography. Stick to matte finishes to ensure a clean and defined contour.
Apply more product: Camera lights and flash can wash out makeup, so applying slightly more contour product than usual may be necessary to ensure it shows up in photographs.
Focus on defining the features: Contouring the cheekbones, jawline, and nose becomes even more vital in photography. These areas help create more structure and dimension, which can appear more flattering in photos.

By adjusting your contouring techniques and products for different occasions, you can cater to the specific makeup needs and lighting conditions, ensuring you always look your best.

Contouring Troubleshooting

Even with the best intentions, mistakes can happen during the contouring process. In this section, we’ll address some common mistakes to avoid and provide tips on fixing patchiness or unevenness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-application: Applying too much contour product can result in an overly dark and unnatural look. Start with a light hand and gradually build up the intensity.
Harsh lines: Ensure thorough blending to avoid visible lines and a patchy appearance. Take your time during the blending process and be sure to blend the contour seamlessly into your skin.
Mismatched shades: Choosing a contour shade that doesn’t complement your skin tone or undertone can make your contour look out of place. Swatch and test shades before committing to one.
Neglecting to blend with foundation: Blending your contour with your foundation helps create a seamless transition between the two and prevent any visible lines or gaps.
Ignoring lighting conditions: Contouring without considering the lighting you’ll be in can result in an unflattering or overly intense look. Adjust the intensity and placement of your contour to suit the lighting of your environment.

Fixing Patchiness or Unevenness

If you notice patchiness or unevenness in your contour, don’t worry! There are several ways to fix it. First, take a clean blending brush or a damp beauty sponge and gently blend the areas that look patchy or uneven. This will help diffuse the product and create a more uniform appearance.

If the patchiness persists, try applying a small amount of foundation or concealer over the problematic areas. Blend it thoroughly to even out the contour. This technique can help camouflage any unevenness and create a smoother finish.

If all else fails, you always have the option to remove the contour and start fresh. Use a gentle makeup remover or cleansing oil to remove the product. Take your time to remove any excess contour and ensure a clean base before beginning the contouring process again.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and contouring is an art that takes time to master. Be patient with yourself and have fun experimenting with different techniques and products until you find what works best for you.

Removing Contour

At the end of the day, it’s crucial to properly remove your makeup and cleanse your skin. In this section, we’ll discuss the importance of proper makeup removal and how to cleanse and nourish your skin after contouring.

Proper Makeup Removal

Contouring products, especially those with heavier coverage or long-lasting formulas, can be challenging to remove if not done correctly. Proper makeup removal is essential to prevent any residue from clogging your pores or causing breakouts. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove your contour effectively:

Start with a gentle makeup remover or cleansing oil: Apply a small amount of makeup remover or cleansing oil to a cotton pad or your fingertips. Gently massage the product onto your skin, focusing on areas with contour. This will help dissolve and remove the contour product.
Double cleanse: To ensure all traces of contour are removed, follow up with a gentle facial cleanser. Massage the cleanser onto your damp skin, paying attention to areas where you applied contour. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Pat dry: After cleansing, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing or aggressive drying, as it can irritate your skin.
Tone and moisturize: Finish your makeup removal routine by applying a toner to balance your skin’s pH levels and a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish your skin.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove your contour while maintaining the health and integrity of your skin.

Cleansing and Nourishing Your Skin

After removing your contour, it’s important to cleanse and nourish your skin to keep it healthy and radiant. Cleanse your face twice daily with a gentle facial cleanser that suits your skin type. This will remove any impurities or residual makeup, preparing your skin for the next day’s makeup application.

Following cleansing, apply a toner to remove any excess residue and restore your skin’s pH balance. Look for a toner that hydrates and soothes your skin, helping to minimize the appearance of pores and reduce redness.

Finally, moisturize your skin with a hydrating and nourishing moisturizer. This will help replenish lost moisture and keep your skin supple and radiant. Opt for a moisturizer that suits your skin type, whether it’s dry, oily, or combination.

Regularly cleansing and nourishing your skin will not only support its health but also provide a smooth canvas for future contour applications.

With all these tips and techniques at your disposal, you’re ready to embark on your contouring journey. Remember to have fun, embrace experimentation, and celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of your features. Happy contouring!