contour makeup

Contour Makeup Decoding the Art of Contouring: A Step-by-Step Guide

Contouring, the makeup technique that has us meticulously applying lines and dots on our faces in hopes of achieving a bone structure that rivals Keira Knightley’s, can indeed work wonders when executed correctly.

This savvy method is capable of creating the illusion of sculpted cheekbones, a slimmed-down nose, a smaller forehead, and a well-defined jawline. It provides an ingenious way to augment or modify your facial shape, enabling you to emphasize your best features and downplay the ones you’re less fond of.

If you’re a novice in the realm of contouring, are looking for answers to some lingering questions, or simply wish to learn some handy tips and tricks, you’ve landed on the right page. We’ve assembled a comprehensive step-by-step guide that covers every aspect, ensuring you can master the art of contouring like a seasoned professional.

What is contouring?

Contouring is indeed a remarkable makeup technique that works to highlight and define the natural features of the face. By strategically placing lighter and darker shades, contouring can illuminate high points like your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose, while creating shadows in areas like the jawline and forehead.

This technique works by playing with light and shadow to enhance certain features and downplay others, thereby adding depth and structure to the face. It’s not just limited to the face either; contouring can also be used to sculpt and define other parts of the body, such as the décolletage, giving an overall more defined and polished look.

Do You Contour Before Or After Foundation?

Indeed, contouring is typically done after applying foundation and concealer. This sequence allows the contour to be applied on an even, flawless base which ultimately results in a more natural and seamless finish.

Whether you’re using cream, liquid, or stick contours, these should be applied directly over the foundation and then blended out smoothly to avoid any stark lines or patches. If you’re using powder contour products, it’s beneficial to lightly dust translucent powder over your foundation first. This step helps create a smoother surface for the contour and prevents patchy application.

When choosing a foundation to use before contouring, ensure it matches your natural skin tone or is a very close shade. This will help to even out your complexion and provide a perfect canvas for your contouring masterpiece.

What is the difference between contour and bronzer?

While both contour products and bronzer are intended to add dimension to your face and enhance your makeup look, they serve distinct purposes and should be used differently.

Bronzer is primarily used to infuse your complexion with a warm, sun-kissed glow. It is typically applied to areas that would naturally catch the sun, such as the forehead, cheekbones, and the bridge of your nose.

Contouring, however, is a more strategic and less subtle technique endorsed by makeup artists. It not only adds depth but also sculpts, structures, and creates shadows on your face, giving a more defined appearance.

It’s crucial not to use bronzers for contouring since it can result in an overly warm, potentially orange-toned complexion instead of the intended defined and sculpted effect.

What all do you need for contouring?

You’re spot on with your advice. Choosing a contour product that is three shades darker than your skin tone and aligns with your undertone is crucial for achieving a natural, well-defined look. For cool-toned complexions, a contour shade with a cooler, greyish-brown hue is ideal, while warm-toned skins are best complemented by a warmer, reddish-brown shade.

The decision to use cream or powder contour depends on personal preference and skin type. Cream contours are typically recommended for those with dry skin or those who find their makeup settling into fine lines. The warmth of clean fingers or a damp makeup sponge can aid in blending cream or liquid contours seamlessly into the skin.

On the other hand, powder contours are suitable for those with oily skin or those desiring a matte finish. Unlike creams, powder contours do not blend easily with fingertips. Instead, different types of makeup brushes are required for effective blending. A blunt-bristled brush can give a sharp, chiseled effect, an angled fluffy brush can provide a softer finish, and a smaller shading brush is ideal for contouring smaller areas such as the sides of the nose.

Remember, the key to a great contour is blending, so ensure your technique and tools are up to the task!

How to use contour: A step-by-step guide for contouring your face

Step 1: Prepare Your Skin
Before applying makeup, always prep your skin with a good skincare routine. Wash your face and use a moisturizer to prevent makeup from clinging to dry patches or creating harsh lines. Use a primer as a protective layer between your skincare and makeup, enhancing the effectiveness and longevity of both. Concealer and/or foundation that matches your skin tone and undertone can be used to cover any blemishes or dark spots.

Step 2: Create Shadows
The most popular contouring technique involves using a shade darker than your skin tone to cast shadows under your cheekbones. To find your cheekbones, suck in your cheeks and follow the natural curve of your jawline and temples with the product. Depending on your face shape, you can place the shadow along your nose’s sides, in a “3” shape following your hairline, under your cheekbone, or along your jawline. Experiment with different placements and shadow effects to sculpt your face until you achieve your desired look.

Step 3: Add Highlights
Use a lighter concealer shade or a shimmery (but not glittery) highlighter on areas of your face where light naturally hits, like your forehead, bridge of the nose, tip of the nose, tops of cheekbones, cupid’s bow, and around the eyes and brow bone.

Step 4: Apply Blush
Although not mandatory for a contoured look, blush can make your makeup appear more natural by serving as a connector between your shadow and highlight areas. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks.

Step 5: Blend Well
Blending is crucial when working with shades that are not the same as your skin tone. Using a large, fluffy brush, a blending brush, or a makeup sponge, blend your shadows and highlights into your skin or foundation layer until the lines look natural.

Step 6: Secure Your Look
Finally, apply a setting powder or spray to set your sculpted look in place and achieve a seamless finish.

FAQ: Contour Makeup

What is a Contour in Makeup?

Contour in makeup refers to the technique of using makeup products to define and enhance the natural structure of the face, creating the illusion of depth and dimension. Here’s a more detailed explanation:

  1. Definition:

    • Shading and Highlighting: Contouring involves shading certain areas of the face with darker shades to create shadows and using lighter shades to highlight and bring forward other areas.
  2. Purpose:

    • Define Features: The primary goal of contouring is to sculpt and define facial features such as the cheekbones, jawline, nose, and forehead.
    • Enhance Bone Structure: It helps in enhancing the bone structure, making the face appear more chiseled and defined.
  3. Products Used:

    • Contour Products: These can be in the form of powders, creams, or sticks. The contour shade should be a few shades darker than your natural skin tone.
    • Highlight Products: Highlighters are usually lighter and can be matte or shimmery, depending on the desired effect.
  4. Application Areas:

    • Cheekbones: Applying the contour product below the cheekbones to make them appear more prominent.
    • Jawline: Contouring along the jawline to define it and reduce the appearance of a double chin.
    • Nose: Slimming the nose by applying contour along the sides and highlighting the bridge.
    • Forehead: Reducing the appearance of a large forehead by contouring along the hairline.
  5. Blending:

    • Seamless Finish: Blending is crucial in contouring to ensure that there are no harsh lines and the makeup looks natural. Brushes, sponges, or fingertips can be used for blending.

Do You Contour Before or After Foundation?

The order in which contouring is done can depend on the products being used and personal preference. Here are the general guidelines for both methods:

  1. Contouring After Foundation:

    • Common Method: This is the most common practice. Applying foundation first creates a uniform base, upon which contour products can be applied and blended seamlessly.
    • Steps:
      1. Apply Foundation: Create an even base with your foundation.
      2. Contour: Apply your contour products to the desired areas.
      3. Highlight: Apply highlighter to the high points of your face.
      4. Blend: Blend the contour and highlight seamlessly into the foundation for a natural look.
  2. Contouring Before Foundation:

    • Alternate Method: Some makeup artists and enthusiasts prefer this method, especially when using cream contour products. Contouring before foundation can create a softer, more diffused effect.
    • Steps:
      1. Contour: Apply your contour products directly to the bare skin in the desired areas.
      2. Highlight: Apply highlighter to the high points of your face.
      3. Foundation: Apply foundation over the contoured and highlighted areas, blending everything together. This can help tone down the contour for a more natural finish.
  3. Personal Preference:

    • Experiment: It may take some experimentation to find which method works best for your skin type and the specific products you use.

Summary:

What is a Contour in Makeup?:

  • Definition: A technique that uses makeup to create shadows and highlights, defining and enhancing facial structure.
  • Purpose: To sculpt and define features like cheekbones, jawline, nose, and forehead.
  • Products Used: Contour powders, creams, sticks, and highlighters.
  • Application Areas: Cheekbones, jawline, nose, forehead.
  • Blending: Crucial for a natural, seamless finish.

Do You Contour Before or After Foundation?:

  • After Foundation (Common Method):
    1. Apply Foundation: Create an even base.
    2. Contour: Apply contour products.
    3. Highlight: Apply highlighter.
    4. Blend: Blend everything seamlessly.
  • Before Foundation (Alternate Method):
    1. Contour: Apply contour products on bare skin.
    2. Highlight: Apply highlighter.
    3. Foundation: Apply foundation over contours, blending together.
  • Personal Preference: Experiment to see which method works best for you.

FAQ: Contour Makeup Products

Types of Contour Makeup Products

Contour makeup products come in various forms, each suited for different skin types and application preferences. Here’s an overview of the main types:

  1. Powder Contours:

    • Description: Finely milled powders that provide a matte finish. Ideal for oily or combination skin as they help absorb excess oil.
    • Application: Applied with a contour brush; great for beginners due to ease of blending.
    • Brands:
      • Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
      • NYX Professional Makeup Highlight & Contour Pro Palette
      • Kat Von D Shade + Light Face Contour Palette
  2. Cream Contours:

    • Description: Creamy formulas that offer a more natural, dewy finish. Suitable for dry or normal skin types.
    • Application: Applied with a brush, sponge, or fingers; provides a more intense, buildable coverage.
    • Brands:
      • Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick
      • Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit
      • Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
  3. Stick Contours:

    • Description: Contour products in stick form, offering convenience and precision. Ideal for on-the-go touch-ups.
    • Application: Applied directly to the face and blended out with a brush or sponge.
    • Brands:
      • Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream
      • Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick
      • Maybelline New York FaceStudio Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick
  4. Liquid Contours:

    • Description: Liquid formulas often found in tubes or with a doe-foot applicator. They provide a seamless, blendable finish.
    • Application: Applied with an applicator, brush, or sponge; suitable for all skin types but require quick blending.
    • Brands:
      • Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand
      • KVD Vegan Beauty ModCon Liquid-Gel Contour
      • Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer (used in contour shades)
  5. Contour Palettes:

    • Description: Palettes that include multiple contour shades, often along with highlighters and bronzers. Useful for customizing shades and achieving a multidimensional look.
    • Application: Applied with various brushes; offers versatility and value.
    • Brands:
      • Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
      • Tarteist Pro Glow Highlight & Contour Palette
      • Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit

Choosing the Right Contour Product

When selecting a contour product, consider the following factors:

  1. Skin Type:

    • Oily/Combination: Powder contours are ideal as they help control shine.
    • Dry/Normal: Cream or liquid contours provide a hydrating effect and a natural finish.
  2. Skill Level:

    • Beginners: Powder and stick contours are easier to work with and blend.
    • Advanced Users: Cream and liquid contours offer more precision and buildable coverage.
  3. Desired Finish:

    • Matte: Powder contours provide a matte finish, suitable for a more defined look.
    • Dewy: Cream and liquid contours give a dewy, natural finish.
  4. Convenience:

    • On-the-Go: Stick contours are portable and easy to use for quick touch-ups.

Summary:

Types of Contour Makeup Products:

  • Powder Contours: Ideal for oily/combination skin; brands include Anastasia Beverly Hills, NYX.
  • Cream Contours: Suitable for dry/normal skin; brands include Fenty Beauty, Milk Makeup.
  • Stick Contours: Convenient and precise; brands include Huda Beauty, Maybelline.
  • Liquid Contours: Seamless finish; brands include Charlotte Tilbury, Rare Beauty.
  • Contour Palettes: Versatile with multiple shades; brands include Tarteist, Smashbox.

Choosing the Right Contour Product:

  1. Skin Type: Oily (powder), Dry (cream/liquid).
  2. Skill Level: Beginners (powder/stick), Advanced Users (cream/liquid).
  3. Desired Finish: Matte (powder), Dewy (cream/liquid).
  4. Convenience: On-the-go (stick).
 

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