Contouring and highlighting have become two of the trendiest techniques in the makeup world in recent years, with celebrities and influencers showcasing perfectly sculpted cheeks and glowing skin all over social media. These techniques can seem intimidating at first, but with a little practice and the right products, anyone can master the art of contouring and highlighting.
Contouring is a makeup technique that involves using darker shades to create shadows and define the natural contours of the face, while highlighting uses lighter shades to bring out the high points of the face and give it a luminous glow. When done correctly, contouring and highlighting can completely transform your look, giving you a more chiseled and radiant appearance.
The key to mastering the art of contouring and highlighting is understanding the shape of your face and knowing how to accentuate your features. Everyone’s face shape is different, so it’s important to tailor your contouring and highlighting techniques to suit your individual needs. Here are some tips on how to contour and highlight for different face shapes:
1. For round faces: If you have a round face shape, contour along the sides of your forehead, under your cheekbones, and along your jawline to create more definition. Use a cool-toned matte bronzer or contour powder to create shadows and make your face appear slimmer. For highlighting, focus on the high points of your face such as the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose to add dimension and lift.
2. For oval faces: Oval faces are considered the most balanced face shape, so you can focus on enhancing your natural features with subtle contouring and highlighting. Contour lightly along the temples, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline, and use a soft and natural highlighter to add a luminous glow to the high points of your face.
3. For heart-shaped faces: Heart-shaped faces have wider cheekbones and a narrow chin, so contouring can help balance out your features. Contour along the sides of your forehead, under your cheekbones, and along your jawline to create a more defined look. For highlighting, focus on the tops of your cheekbones and the brow bone to add dimension and lift to your face.
4. For square faces: Square faces have strong jawlines and angular features, so contouring can help soften these angles and create a more rounded appearance. Contour along the sides of your forehead, under your cheekbones, and along your jawline to create more definition. Use a soft and natural highlighter to add a subtle glow to the high points of your face.
Now that you know how to contour and highlight for your face shape, it’s important to choose the right products and tools to achieve the perfect look. When it comes to contouring, choose a matte bronzer or contour powder that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. Matte formulas work best for creating shadows and defining the face, while shimmery bronzers can look too intense and unnatural.
For highlighting, opt for a luminous highlighter in a shade that complements your skin tone. Highlighters come in a variety of formulas, including powder, cream, and liquid, so choose the one that works best for your skin type. Powder highlighters are great for oily skin, while cream and liquid formulas are best for dry skin.
When it comes to tools, invest in a good quality contour brush and highlighter brush to apply the products with precision. A dense, angled brush is best for contouring, while a fluffy brush is ideal for applying highlighter. Blend the products seamlessly into the skin using gentle tapping and swirling motions to avoid harsh lines and streaks.
Now that you have the right products and tools, it’s time to put your contouring and highlighting skills to the test. Start by applying your base makeup, such as foundation and concealer, before moving on to contouring and highlighting.
To contour, suck in your cheeks and apply the contour powder along the hollows of your cheeks, blending upwards towards your temples. Contour along the sides of your forehead, under your jawline, and along the sides of your nose if desired. Blend the contour powder seamlessly into the skin using light tapping and swirling motions to create a natural-looking shadow.
To highlight, apply the highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose using the highlighter brush. Blend the highlighter into the skin using gentle tapping motions to create a radiant glow. You can also apply the highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes and the Cupid’s bow for an extra touch of luminosity.
Once you’ve finished contouring and highlighting, set your makeup with a translucent powder to lock everything in place and prevent any creasing or fading throughout the day. You can also spritz on a setting spray to help your makeup last longer and give your skin a dewy finish.
With a little practice and the right techniques, anyone can master the art of contouring and highlighting. Whether you’re looking to enhance your natural features or create a more dramatic look, these techniques can help you achieve a flawless and radiant complexion. So grab your contouring products and brushes, and get ready to sculpt and glow like a pro!
