contour stick with brush

how to contour face: Makeup Artist tutorial

If you’re looking for a way to enhance your facial features and achieve a more defined look, then contouring is the answer. Contouring is a makeup technique that involves using darker and lighter shades to create shadow and highlight areas of your face. 

Read on to discover a step-by-step guide on how to contour your face and how tailor contour technique for your unique face shape.

What is Contouring?

Contouring is a makeup technique that has been around for decades. It involves using different shades of makeup to sculpt and define your facial features. By applying darker shades in the areas you want to recede, and lighter shades in the areas you want to emphasize, you can create the illusion of a slimmer nose, higher cheekbones, and a more defined jawline.

What’s the Difference Between Contouring and Bronzing?

Contouring and bronzing are both makeup techniques that enhance the structure and dimension of the face, but they serve distinct purposes and use different shades and placements. Contouring primarily focuses on creating shadows to define and sculpt the facial features. It typically involves using a matte, cool-toned product, often in a shade a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, to mimic the appearance of shadows in areas like the hollows of the cheeks, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose. The goal is to create the illusion of more chiseled and defined features, making areas recede and appear slimmer.

On the other hand, bronzing is all about adding warmth and a sun-kissed glow to the face. It uses a warm-toned, matte or slightly shimmery product that’s often only a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone. Bronzer is typically applied to areas where the sun would naturally hit your face, such as the high points of the cheeks, the forehead, and the nose bridge. The aim is to create a healthy, radiant complexion and to mimic the effects of a sun-touched complexion. Unlike contouring, bronzing doesn’t aim to create shadows or alter the shape of your features but rather to add a healthy flush of color and warmth to your skin.

What You Need to Contour Your Face

  • Foundation
  • Concealer
  • Contour powder or cream
  • Highlighter
  • Blush
  • Angled brush
  • Beauty blender or makeup sponge
  • Powder brush

Here are some comparisons to help you choose the right products:

  • Powder vs. Cream: Powder contour is easier to use and blend, while cream contour provides a more natural finish and better coverage.
  • Angled Brush vs. Beauty Blender: An angled brush is great for precise application, while a beauty blender or makeup sponge is ideal for blending and creating a seamless finish.
  • Matte vs. Shimmer Highlighter: A matte highlighter creates a more natural look, while a shimmer highlighter adds a dewy finish and extra glow.

How to Contour Your Face

Step 1: Prepare Your Skin

Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply your regular foundation or concealer to create a smooth base. This will even out your skin tone and provide a canvas for your contour and highlight.

Step 2: Choose the Right Contour Product

Select a contour product that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. It should have a matte finish and cool undertones. Contour products come in various forms, including cream, powder, and stick. Choose one that suits your preferences and skill level.

Step 3: Identify the Contour Areas

Determine the areas of your face you want to contour. The most common areas include:

  • Under the cheekbones: To create the illusion of higher cheekbones and a slimmer face.
  • Along the jawline: To define the jaw and create a more sculpted look.
  • Along the sides of the nose: To make the nose appear narrower.
  • Along the hairline: To add dimension and warmth to the forehead.
  • Under the chin: To minimize the appearance of a double chin.

Step 4: Apply the Contour

Using your chosen contour product, apply it to the areas you identified in step 3. Use a contour brush or a makeup sponge for precision. Apply the product sparingly at first; you can always add more if needed. Blend the contour into your skin using gentle strokes or circular motions. Make sure there are no harsh lines, and blend thoroughly for a natural look.

Step 5: Highlight

Now, it’s time to highlight the areas you want to bring forward. Use a highlighter that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. Common highlight areas include:

  • The tops of your cheekbones
  • The bridge of your nose
  • Your brow bone
  • The inner corners of your eyes
  • Your cupid’s bow (the area above your upper lip)
  • Apply the highlighter with a brush or sponge and blend it well. This will create contrast and make the contoured areas stand out more.

Step 6: Set with Powder

To ensure your contour and highlight stay in place, set your makeup with a translucent setting powder. Use a fluffy brush to apply the powder lightly over your entire face.

Step 7: Finish with Setting Spray (Optional)

For a long-lasting finish, you can use a setting spray to lock your makeup in place

Contouring Different face shapes

Oval Face

Contour: Apply contour shade along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to add dimension.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and chin for a balanced look.

Round Face

Contour: Apply contour along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to create angles and definition.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to draw attention away from the roundness.

Square Face

Contour: Focus on softening the angles by applying contour to the sides of the jawline, along the hairline, and under the cheekbones.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to balance the strong jawline.

Heart-Shaped Face

Contour: Apply contour along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and slightly along the jawline to balance the wider forehead.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to enhance the lower half of the face.

Long or Oblong Face

Contour: Apply contour along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and at the chin to create the illusion of a shorter face.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to add width to the face.

Diamond Face

Contour: Focus on softening the angles by applying contour to the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to balance the face’s angular features.

Triangle Face (Pear-Shaped)

Contour: Apply contour along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to balance the wider jaw.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to draw attention away from the jaw.

Tips for perfect contouring

  • Choose the right shade of contour: It’s important to choose a shade that’s a few shades darker than your skin tone for a natural-looking effect.
  • Blend, blend, blend: Blending is the key to achieving a seamless and natural look.
  • Don’t overdo it: Less is more when it comes to contouring. Start with a little product and build up slowly until you achieve the desired effect.
  • Practice makes perfect: Contouring takes practice, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time.

FAQs

  1. Can I contour for everyday makeup? Yes, contouring can be adapted for everyday makeup, but the intensity can be adjusted. For a more natural look, use a lighter hand and subtle shades.
  1. Do I need to contour and highlight every time I wear makeup? Contouring and highlighting are optional steps in makeup. You can choose to contour and highlight when you want to enhance your features, but they are not required for every makeup look.
  1. How do I choose the right makeup brushes for contouring? Select brushes based on your preferences and the areas you want to contour. A contour brush with soft, dense bristles is great for precise sculpting. A smaller brush or sponge can be used for highlighting.
  2. Can contouring be used to change the shape of my face? Contouring can enhance and define your natural features, but it cannot drastically change the shape of your face. It is a makeup technique that adds dimension and highlights your existing bone structure.

Contour Before and After Transformations: Sculpting Beauty

Imagine a makeup technique that can reshape your face, accentuate your best features, and create a captivating allure – that’s the magic of contouring. Contouring before and after showcases the artistry behind this transformative method. With just a few strategic brushstrokes, makeup enthusiasts can achieve stunning results that redefine their facial structure and radiate confidence. Join us as we delve into the captivating world of contouring, exploring the incredible before and after moments that demonstrate how this technique can sculpt, define, and elevate your natural beauty to new heights.

Understanding Contouring: An Introduction

Contouring involves using different shades of makeup to create shadows and highlights on the face, effectively sculpting and defining its structure. By strategically applying darker shades to recede certain areas and lighter shades to bring forward others, you can achieve a more balanced and defined appearance.

Step 1: Preparing the Canvas

Before diving into the actual contouring process, it is essential to start with a clean, moisturized face. Begin with a gentle cleanser followed by a hydrating moisturizer suitable for your skin type. This ensures a smooth canvas for application and prevents any dryness or flakiness.

Step 2: Selecting the Right Products

Choosing the right products is crucial when it comes to achieving optimal results in contouring. Opt for cream or powder-based products that are specifically designed for contouring. Cream products blend seamlessly into the skin, while powder products provide a more matte finish. Experiment with different textures to find what works best for you.

Step 3: Determining Your Face Shape

Understanding your face shape is fundamental in contouring as it helps determine which areas to emphasize or minimize. The four main face shapes include oval, round, square, and heart-shaped. Each shape requires specific contouring techniques to bring out its natural beauty.

Step 4: Mapping Out the Contour

Begin by mapping out the areas you want to contour. Typically, these include the hollows of the cheeks, temples, jawline, and sides of the nose. Use a contour stick or powder that is two shades darker than your skin tone to apply these shadows. Remember to blend thoroughly for a seamless finish.

Step 5: Highlighting Key Features

After contouring, it’s time to highlight specific features to add dimension and luminosity to your face. Apply a lighter shade concealer or illuminator to the high points of your face, such as the forehead, bridge of the nose, under-eye area, and chin. This technique draws attention to those areas, creating a beautiful contrast with the shadows.

Step 6: Blending Techniques

Blending is the key to achieving a natural-looking contour. Use a makeup sponge or a brush specifically designed for blending to seamlessly merge the contour and highlight shades. Pat gently in a stippling motion to avoid harsh lines and ensure a flawless finish.

Step 7: Setting the Contour

To ensure long-lasting results, set your contour with a translucent or matte powder. This prevents any unwanted shifting or smudging throughout the day. Apply it lightly over the contoured areas using a fluffy brush, focusing on the T-zone, cheeks, and jawline.

Step 8: Completing the Look

Once you have perfected your contour, complete the look with other makeup essentials, such as blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, and lipstick. These additional steps help harmonize your overall appearance and create a cohesive makeup look.

The Power of Contouring: Before and After Comparison

Contouring has the ability to transform one’s facial structure dramatically. By comparing the before and after images, you can witness the astonishing effects of this technique. 

Before the magic of contouring begins, the face appears in its untouched state – a reflection of raw beauty. But as the brush meets the skin, the transformation unfolds. Shadows and highlights are deftly applied to play with light and shadow, creating an optical illusion that shapes and refines facial contours.

In a contouring before and after comparison, you witness cheekbones that appear more chiseled, a jawline that looks sharper, and a nose that seemingly takes on new dimensions. The technique can create the illusion of a more defined bone structure, even for those who may not have naturally prominent features. It’s a celebration of the art of subtlety, as contouring has the power to accentuate what’s already there without overwhelming the face.

The impact of contouring isn’t solely visual; it’s emotional too. The confidence boost that comes from seeing your face transform in the mirror is truly remarkable. It’s a reminder that makeup is a tool of self-expression, enabling individuals to embrace their unique features and amplify their natural allure.

The key lies in the art of blending – the seamless fusion of colors that creates a harmonious transition between shadows and highlights.

Contouring is not limited to just celebrities and makeup artists; anyone can achieve professional-looking results with practice and experimentation. It allows individuals to feel confident, accentuate their best features, and embrace their unique beauty.

Conclusion

Contouring is a remarkable technique that has gained immense popularity in recent years. Its ability to transform and enhance facial features makes it an essential skill for anyone interested in makeup. By following the step-by-step process discussed in this article, you can master the art of contouring and achieve stunning before and after results. So go ahead, experiment, and unveil your true potential with the power of contouring.