In the world of beauty and makeup, trends come and go, but some techniques prove their mettle and become mainstays. One such skill that has taken the beauty world by storm is contouring. So, what is contour makeup precisely? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the art of contouring, its benefits, the products you need, and how to contour like a professional makeup artist.
Understanding Contour Makeup
Contouring is a makeup technique that uses light and dark colors to accentuate specific facial features, create illusions of depth, and redefine the structure of your face. This method took the beauty world by storm and became popular due to its ability to enhance natural features and create a sculpted, photo-ready look.
While contouring may seem like a recent fad, it has its roots in the silver screen era, where actors used this technique to create visually impactful looks on camera. The idea behind powder contour is to use shadow and light to enhance your natural features, giving your face a chiseled, glowing look.
Why Contour? The Benefits of Contouring
Contouring, when done right, can dramatically enhance your features and add a touch of glamor to your everyday look. Here are a few reasons why you might consider adding contouring to your beauty routine:
- Efficiency: Believe it or not, contouring makeup can be a part of an efficient, practical, and fuss-free makeup routine. You don’t need an arsenal of products to contour. A few basic items are enough to get you started
- Versatility: Contouring is not just for celebrities and makeup artists. With a bit of practice and the right products, anyone can master the art of contouring
- Dimension: Face contouring helps add depth and dimension to your facial features. It uses light and dark colors to create shadows and highlights, giving your face a sculpted look
- Definition: Contouring can add subtle definitions to your features, making them stand out. It can help create the illusion of higher cheekbones, a more defined chin or jawline, or a thinner nose
Getting Started: The Essentials of Contouring
Before you dive into the world of how to contour your face, it’s essential to gather the right products. Here’s a quick rundown of what you might need:
- Foundation: A foundation that matches your skin color is used as a base before contouring and highlighting
- Bronzer: While not necessary for all face contouring routines, a bronzer can add warmth to your face, complementing the shadows created by your contour product
- Blending Brush or Sponge: A blending tool is essential for ensuring that your contour and highlight blend seamlessly into your skin, avoiding harsh lines and patches
- Highlighter: A highlighter is a light, often shimmery product used to draw attention to certain features. It should be a few shades lighter than your skin color
- Contouring Product: This could be a cream, powder, or stick product that’s a few shades darker than your skin color. It’s used to create shadows and add depth to certain parts of your face
Choosing the Right Contouring Products
Choosing the right contouring product is crucial to achieving a natural, flawless look. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Product Quality: Opt for high-quality products that blend easily and have good staying power. Remember, the key to a natural-looking contour is seamless blending
- Skin Type: If you have oily skin, you might lean towards powder contouring products, while those with dry skin might prefer cream or liquid products. The right texture can help your contour look more natural and last longer
- Undertone: Pay attention to your skin’s undertone. If you have a cool undertone, opt for contouring products with a greyish-brown shade. If your undertone is warm, go for products with a golden or bronze tint
- Skin Tone: Your contouring product should be a couple of shades darker than your natural skin color. Similarly, your highlighter should be a couple of shades lighter. This contrast helps create the illusion of depth and light
A Step-by-Step Guide to Contouring
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what contour makeup is and the products you need, let’s delve into the process of contouring.
Step 1: Prepare Your Base
Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply your regular foundation to even out your complexion and create a smooth canvas for contouring. If needed, apply concealer in areas with blemishes or dark circles.
Step 2: Map Out Your Contour
Decide which areas of your face you want to enhance or soften. The most common areas to contour include the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, sides of your nose, and temples. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to experiment and find what suits your face best.
Step 3: Apply Your Contour
Using your contouring product, trace the areas you want to define. Remember, less is more when it comes to contouring. You can always build up the product if needed, but it’s harder to tone it down if you apply too much at once.
Step 4: Highlight
Apply your highlighter to areas of the face where light naturally hits. These areas typically include the bridge of your nose, brow bone, cheekbones, and cupid’s bow. Highlighting enhances your natural beauty and gives your contour a naturally glowing look.
Step 5: Blend, Blend, Blend
This is perhaps the most crucial step in contouring. Use a blending brush or sponge to blend the contour and highlight into your skin, creating a seamless, natural look. Take your time with this step, and ensure there are no harsh lines or patches.
Step 6: Set Your Contour
Once you’re satisfied with your contour and highlight, set your makeup with a translucent setting powder or setting spray. This step ensures your contour stays in place and looks flawless throughout the day.
Tailoring Contouring to Your Skin Tone
Choosing the right contour shade for your skin tone is crucial for a natural-looking contour. Here’s a simple guide to help you pick the perfect shade:
Light or Fair Skin Tone
If you have a fair skin tone, choose a contour shade that’s no more than two shades darker than your regular foundation. Avoid shades that are too dark or harsh, as they can look unnatural under different lighting conditions.
Medium or Tan Skin Tone
Those with medium or tan skin tones have more flexibility in choosing contour shades. However, it’s still important to choose a shade that complements your skin and doesn’t leave any harsh lines.
Dark or Deep Skin Tone
For dark or deep skin tones, your highlighter color will be critical in adding definition and natural-looking highlights to your favorite facial features.
Making Contouring a Part of Your Routine
Adding contouring to your regular beauty routine doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. With the right products and techniques, you can achieve a sculpted, chiseled look in no time.
Remember, contouring is all about enhancing your natural features, not changing your face shape. Experiment with a different makeup technique, products, and shades until you find what works best for you and your natural skin tone. And most importantly, have fun with it!
In Summary
Contouring offers an excellent way to enhance your facial features and add depth and dimension to your face, whether you have a round face or oval face. With a bit of practice and the right products, you can master the art of contouring and achieve a naturally sculpted look.
While contouring might seem intimidating at first, remember that it’s all about experimenting and finding what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to try different techniques and products until you find your perfect contour.
Remember, the key to a flawless contour is blending. So, take your time, blend well, and get ready to rock that chiseled look!
Join the Contouring Revolution!
Have you tried contouring yet? We’d love to hear about your experiences and tips! Join the conversation and share your contouring journey with us.
