I. Introduction
If you are a makeup enthusiast, you have likely heard of contouring. Contouring involves using makeup to define and enhance the natural contours of the face. While it may seem intimidating, learning how to contour can be a game-changer for your makeup game. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to contour. From a step-by-step guide to product reviews and video tutorials, this article has got you covered.
II. Step-by-step guide
Before we dive into specific products, let’s break down the contouring process:
- Start with a clean, moisturized face.
- Apply foundation to your entire face, making sure it’s blended well.
- Select a contour shade that is two shades darker than your skin tone.
- Apply the contour shade to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline.
- Blend out the contour using a brush or sponge.
- Select a highlighter shade that is two shades lighter than your skin tone.
- Apply the highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow.
- Blend out the highlighter using a brush or sponge.
- Finish the look with a setting powder.
It’s important to make sure all the products are blended out well to avoid harsh lines.
The products you will need for contouring are a contour shade, a highlighter shade, a foundation, and a setting powder. Here are some popular products:
- Contour: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
- Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
- Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
- Setting powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Now, let’s get into how to apply each product:
Contour shade
To apply the contour shade, take a small amount of product on a contour brush or angled brush. Starting at your temples, apply the product in a “3” shape along the hollows of your cheeks and then under your jawline. Make sure the product is blended well to avoid harsh lines.
Highlighter shade
To apply the highlighter shade, apply the product to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow. Use a sponge or brush to blend the product out well.
Setting powder
To finish the look, apply a setting powder to your entire face using a powder brush. This will help your makeup stay in place all day.
III. Product reviews
There are many contouring products on the market, making it difficult to know which one to choose. Here’s a review of some popular products, as well as their pros and cons:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
Pros: Comes with six shades, easy to blend, and long-wearing.
Cons: Can be pricey, and some users find the shades to be too warm-toned.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio
Pros: Comes in a variety of shades, easy to use, and long-wearing.
Cons: Can be difficult to blend out, and some users find the shades to be too dry.
Kat Von D Shade + Light Face Contour Palette
Pros: Comes with six shades, easy to blend, and long-wearing.
Cons: Can be pricey, and some users find the packaging to be too bulky.
When choosing a contouring product, it’s important to also consider your skin type. For drier skin types, cream contour products may be a better option. For oily skin types, powder contour products may be better suited.
IV. Video tutorial
If you’re a visual learner, a video tutorial can be a great tool. Here’s a step-by-step video tutorial on contouring:
The video covers the products used and provides tips and tricks for achieving the best results.
V. Look-based article
Contouring can be used to enhance different features of the face. Here are some examples of different looks that can be achieved through contouring:
Natural contour
To achieve a natural contour, focus on enhancing the natural contours of the face. Apply a light contour shade to the hollows of the cheeks and temples and a light highlighter shade to the cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
Glam contour
To achieve a glam contour, focus on heavier application of the contour and highlighter shades. Apply the contour shade heavily to the hollows of the cheeks and temples, as well as the jawline. Apply the highlighter shade heavily to the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow.
VI. Best practices article
Here are some tips and tricks for achieving a natural-looking contour:
- Blend, blend, blend! Make sure all the products are blended well to avoid harsh lines.
- Less is more. It’s easy to go overboard with contouring, so start with a light hand and build up the product as needed.
- Use a fluffy brush to blend out the products for a more natural look.
- Apply the products in natural lighting to ensure the products are blended well and look natural.
- Consider your face shape when applying the products. For example, if you have a round face, apply the contour shade in a more angular pattern to create a more defined look.
Common mistakes to avoid when contouring include applying too much product, using shades that are too warm-toned, and not blending out the products well.
VII. Q&A format
Here are some common questions people may have about contouring:
1. Can I contour with foundation?
Technically, you can contour with foundation by using a shade that is two shades darker than your skin tone. However, using a specific contour shade will give you more control and precision over your contour.
2. Can I contour without a highlighter?
While highlighter can enhance the look of your contour, it’s not necessary. If you prefer a more natural look, skip the highlighter or use a very light hand when applying it.
3. Can I contour with a bronzer?
Bronzers can be used to contour, but they may not have the same precision and control as a specific contour shade. If you’re on a budget, using a bronzer is a great alternative to a specific contour shade.
VIII. Conclusion
Learning how to contour can be intimidating, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s easy to achieve a natural-looking contour. From a step-by-step guide to product reviews, a video tutorial, and tips and tricks for achieving the best results, this article has covered everything you need to know about how to contour.