Contouring is a makeup technique that can help you enhance your natural features, create dimension, and achieve a more sculpted look. It involves applying a darker shade of makeup to the areas of your face that you want to recede or define, and a lighter shade to the areas that you want to highlight or bring forward. By creating contrast and shadows, you can create the illusion of a more chiseled cheekbone, a slimmer nose, a sharper jawline, or even a different face shape.
Contouring can be intimidating for beginners, but with the right products and tools, it can be easy and fun. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of contouring, how to choose the best products for your skin type and tone, and how to apply them for a natural and flattering result.
What You Need to Contour Your Face
To contour your face, you will need the following products and tools:
- A contour product: This can be a cream, powder, stick, or liquid product that is at least two shades darker than your natural skin tone. You want to choose a product that has a cool or neutral undertone, as this will mimic the natural shadows on your face. Avoid products that are too warm or orange, as they can look unnatural and muddy.
- A highlighter product: This can be a cream, powder, stick, or liquid product that is at least one shade lighter than your natural skin tone. You want to choose a product that has a warm or luminous undertone, as this will reflect light and create a glow. Avoid products that are too light or frosty, as they can look harsh and chalky.
- A blending tool: This can be a makeup sponge, brush, or your fingers. You want to choose a tool that is soft and fluffy, as this will help you blend the products seamlessly and avoid harsh lines.
- A setting product: This can be a translucent powder or spray that will help you lock in your contour and highlighter and prevent them from fading or creasing throughout the day.
How to Choose the Best Contour Products for Your Skin Type and Tone
The best contour products for you will depend on your skin type and tone. Here are some general tips to help you find the right products for your needs:
- If you have dry skin, you may want to opt for cream or liquid products, as they will hydrate your skin and give you a dewy finish. Powder products may accentuate dry patches or flakiness on your skin.
- If you have oily skin, you may want to opt for powder or stick products, as they will mattify your skin and last longer. Cream or liquid products may slide off or make your skin look greasy.
- If you have normal or combination skin, you can use any type of product, depending on your preference and desired finish. You may also want to mix and match different types of products for different areas of your face.
- If you have fair skin, you may want to opt for light to medium shades of contour and highlighter products, as they will look more natural and subtle on your skin. Dark shades may look too harsh or muddy on your skin.
- If you have medium skin, you may want to opt for medium to dark shades of contour and highlighter products, as they will create enough contrast and definition on your skin. Light shades may not show up or make your skin look washed out.
- If you have dark skin, you may want to opt for dark to deep shades of contour and highlighter products, as they will sculpt and enhance your features. Medium shades may not be dark enough or make your skin look ashy.
How to Apply Contour Products for a Natural Look
The way you apply contour products will depend on your face shape and the features that you want to emphasize or minimize. However, there are some general steps that you can follow for a natural look:
- Start with a clean and moisturized face. Apply primer if needed to smooth out your skin texture and help your makeup last longer.
- Apply foundation all over your face in a shade that matches your natural skin tone. You can use a sponge, brush, or fingers to blend it evenly. You can also use concealer to cover any blemishes or dark circles if needed.
- Apply contour product to the areas of your face that you want to recede or define. The most common areas are the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, the temples, the jawline, and the hairline. You can use a small brush or stick to draw thin lines along these areas. You can also use your fingers to dab some product on these areas if using cream or liquid products.
- Blend the contour product into your skin using a sponge, brush, or fingers. Use circular motions and light pressure to diffuse the product and avoid harsh lines. Make sure there are no visible edges between the contour product and your foundation.
- Apply highlighter product to the areas of your face that you want to highlight or bring forward. The most common areas are the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, the cupid’s bow, the chin, and the inner corners of your eyes. You can use a small brush or stick to draw thin lines or dots along these areas. You can also use your fingers to dab some product on these areas if using cream or liquid products.
- Blend the highlighter product into your skin using a sponge, brush, or fingers. Use circular motions and light pressure to diffuse the product and create a glow. Make sure there are no visible edges between the highlighter product and your foundation.
- Set your contour and highlighter with a translucent powder or spray. This will help you lock in your makeup and prevent it from fading or creasing throughout the day. You can use a large fluffy brush to dust some powder all over your face, or a small brush to apply some powder on specific areas. You can also use a setting spray to mist your face lightly and give it a more natural finish.
The Best Contour Products to Try
There are many contour products available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. To help you find the best products for your contouring needs, we have compiled a list of some of the most popular and highly rated products that you can try:
- Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand: This is a liquid contour product that comes in a wand applicator with a sponge tip. It has a lightweight and blendable formula that gives you a natural and soft contour. It comes in two shades: Fair/Medium and Medium/Dark.
- KVD Beauty ModCon Long-Wear Hydrating Liquid-Gel Contour: This is a liquid-gel contour product that comes in a squeeze tube with a nozzle tip. It has a long-wearing and hydrating formula that gives you a matte and sculpted contour. It comes in four shades: Light, Medium, Tan, and Deep.
- Huda Beauty Tantour: This is a cream contour product that comes in a jar with a screw lid. It has a pigmented and buildable formula that gives you a bronzed and contoured look. It comes in five shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, and Rich.
- Elf Cream Contour Palette: This is a cream contour palette that comes with four shades of contour and highlighter products. It has a smooth and creamy formula that gives you a customizable and versatile contour. It comes in two variations: Light/Medium and Medium/Dark.
- Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick: This is a stick contour product that comes in a magnetic tube with a twist-up mechanism. It has a matte and long-lasting formula that gives you an easy and precise contour. It comes in 10 shades: Amber, Linen, Bamboo, Mocha, Latte, Truffle, Caramel, Suede, Cocoa, and Espresso.
- Juvia’s Place Bronzed Duo Bronzer: This is a powder contour palette that comes with two shades of bronzer products. It has a soft and blendable formula that gives you a warm and radiant contour. It comes in six variations: Light, Medium, Tan, Dark, Deep Dark, and Ultra Deep.
- Melt Cosmetics The Cream Sculpt Stack: This is a cream contour stack that comes with four shades of contour products. It has a creamy and buildable formula that gives you an intense and dramatic contour. It comes in one variation: Light/Medium.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit: This is a powder contour palette that comes with six shades of contour and highlighter products. It has a finely milled and pigmented formula that gives you a professional and defined contour. It comes in three variations: Light to Medium, Medium to Tan, and Tan to Deep.
- Nars The Multiple Stick: This is a stick contour product that comes in
a slim tube with a twist-up mechanism. It has a creamy and sheer formula that gives you an effortless and natural contour. It comes in 10 shades: Copacabana, Luxor, Portofino, Riviera, Orgasm, South Beach, Malibu, Maui, G-Spot, and Na Pali Coast.
- Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer: This is a powder bronzer product that comes in a box with an attached mirror and brush. It has a matte and smooth formula that gives you an all-over bronzed glow or a subtle contour. It comes in four shades: Hoola Lite, Hoola Original, Hoola Caramel, and Hoola Toasted.
Conclusion
Contouring is an art form that can help you sculpt your features with the right products. By following the basic steps of applying foundation, contour product, highlight product, highlighter product, and setting product, you can create a natural and flattering look that suits your skin type and tone. You can also experiment with different products and shades to find the best ones for your face shape and features. Contouring can be a fun and creative way to express yourself and enhance your beauty.