Contouring and highlighting have become a must-do makeup techniques nowadays. They not only accentuate your facial features but also lend a sculpted and chiselled look. In order to contour and highlight your face for that perfect finish, you have to keep a few things in mind. Here is a comprehensive guide that will help you master the art of contouring and highlighting.
Prep your face:
The first step to any makeup routine is to prep your face. Cleanse your face to remove any dirt and impurities. Apply a moisturizer followed by a primer as contouring requires a smooth canvas to work on.
Choose the right products:
Contouring involves creating shadows on your face, while highlighting brings out the high points of your face. Choose a cool-toned contour powder/cream as it mimics natural shadows. For highlighting, choose a product with a sheen or shimmer finish to catch the light.
Identify your face shape:
Contouring and highlighting techniques vary according to face shape. Here’s a breakdown of the most common face shapes and what areas you should focus on:
– Oval: contour the outer edges of your forehead, temples, and jawline. Highlight your cheekbones, the center of your forehead, and the bridge of your nose.
– Round: contour below your cheekbones and along the jawline to create definition. Highlight the center of your forehead and the bridge of your nose, but avoid highlighting the apples of your cheeks.
– Heart-shaped: contour the sides of your forehead, below your cheekbones, and along the jawline. Highlight the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, and the apples of your cheeks.
– Square: contour along the temples, jawline, and below your cheekbones. Highlight the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, and the apples of your cheeks.
Application:
Start by applying your foundation and concealer as you usually would. Then, take your contour shade and lightly apply it to the areas you want to create shadows. Blend using a brush or sponge, making sure to blend out any harsh lines. Next, take your highlighting shade and apply it to the areas you wish to highlight. Blend out any harsh lines using a blending brush or sponge.
Finish with setting powder and setting spray:
To keep your makeup in place all day, apply a setting powder on the areas where you applied contour and a setting spray all over your face.
In conclusion, contouring and highlighting can totally transform your face. However, it can be tricky to master, so don’t be afraid to practice until you get it right. Remember to choose the right products, identify your face shape, and blend, blend, blend! With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a contouring and highlighting pro.
