How to Contour Your Face: A Step-by-Step Guide

Contouring has been a makeup essential for years now, helping you to sculpt and define your face in a way that not only feels natural but can also transform your look. Contouring is a makeup technique that uses different shades to highlight, enhance, and define the natural contours of your face.

In this article, we will guide you through the right steps to follow to get the best results from your contouring. From preparing your skin to selecting the right products, we will provide all the information you need to accentuate your most desired features and get a glamorous, Hollywood-style effect.

Step-by-Step Guide

Prepping the skin for contouring

Before applying makeup, it’s essential to prepare your skin. Begin by cleansing your face and applying moisturizer to help makeup adhere better and avoid dry patches. You may also consider using a primer that helps to even out the skin tone, reduce oil, and give your makeup longevity.

Choosing the right contouring products

There are a variety of contour products to choose from, ranging from powders, creams, and liquids to sticks. The choice often depends on individual preference, skin type, and finish. For instance, a powder formula is suitable for oily skin, while liquid is best for dry skin.

When selecting a contour shade, ensure that the color is at least two shades darker than your natural skin tone.

Here are a few product recommendations;

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick: A versatile product for contouring, available in over 20 shades to suit every skin tone.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contouring Kit: Comes with multiple powder shades for contouring and highlighting.
Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream For an intense contour and sun-kissed glow, the kit comes with a brush and sponge applicator.

Identifying the areas of the face to contour.

Contouring primarily focuses on enhancing and defining facial features like cheekbones, jawline, and forehead.

Here are some tips on how to identify these areas and accentuate them.

Cheekbones: Draw a line from the top to the bottom of your ears, and you will have identified the perfect spot to apply contour.
Jawline: Apply contour below your jawline to create a more defined facial profile
Forehead: Apply contour just below the hairline to create a slimmer forehead.

Applying the contour products

The next step is to apply the contour products in the areas you have identified. Begin with small amounts of contour, applying it gradually as you build towards your desired look. Use a soft, angled brush, or sponge to blend the product adequately.

To make your contour appear natural, avoid applying too much product at once. Remember, it’s more natural to gradually build your look.

Blending the contour to achieve a natural look

Blending is the most vital aspect of contouring. To avoid an unnatural appearance, spend ample time blending your contour with a makeup sponge or brush, building up the contour gradually.

The Best Products for Contouring

Types of contouring products

Contouring products come in different forms: powders, creams, liquids, and sticks. Here is what you need to know about each product type;

Powders: are user-friendly and easy to work with. They are suitable for those with oily skin and tend to give a more natural finish.
Creams: are the best option for those with dry skin as they create a significant impact.
Liquids: provide full coverage and are ideal for those who want a bold and dramatic effect.
Stick: are easy to apply and blend, making them suitable for beginners.

How to choose the right shade for your skin tone

Not all contour shades are created equal, and you want to choose the right shade that matches your skin tone to avoid looking orange or muddy. Test out a few options before settling on a color.

If you have fair skin, try a cool-toned brown shade. If you have medium skin, opt for warmer beige shades. Dark-skinned individuals can go for darker shades, including warm browns, caramels, and chocolates.

Texture considerations (Matte or Shimmer)

The texture of your contour can also have an impact on your overall look. Matte finishes give you a more natural appearance and work well when contouring facial features like cheekbones. Shimmer and glitter formulas tend to add a dewy glow to your skin and can be used to give a flattering appearance to your nose, forehead, and chin.

Product recommendations

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow: A two-in-one palette including contour, highlighter, and bronzer to enhance cheekbones for a sculpted effect.
Hoola Matte Bronzer by Benefit: Delivers a breathable, powder formula for effortless blending to shape and define facial features.
Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book Palette: Comes with beautiful contour shades suitable for various skin types, including powders and creams.

Face Shapes and Contouring

Have you ever wondered why contouring fails to give you an outstanding effect sometimes? Understanding face shapes and the techniques that work best for each can help you achieve better results.

Identifying the different face shapes and their characteristics

There are various face shapes, including square, oval, diamond, round, and heart-shaped. Here is a brief explanation of each:

Square-shaped faces: Defined by an equal width and length of the face with sharp angles along with the jawline, brow, and cheekbones.
Oval-shaped faces: Feature a slightly wider forehead than the chin, with cheekbones serving as the widest section.
Diamond-shaped faces: Feature angular features, a narrow forehead, and prominent cheekbones.
Round-shaped faces: Defined by a soft curve around the jawline and chin; the forehead and cheekbones usually have similar widths as the jawline.
Heart-shaped faces: Features a wider forehead and cheekbones with a narrow chin.

Suggesting the most suitable contouring techniques for each face shape

Here are contouring tips based on face shape, with suggestions of popular celebrities whose faces reflect those shapes.

Square-shaped faces: Contour beneath cheekbones to soften angles. Celebrities known for their square-shaped faces include Angelina Jolie, Olivia Wilde, and Keira Knightley.
Oval-shaped faces: Contour beneath cheekbones and on the sides of your forehead for a more defined look. Celebrities with oval-shaped faces include Beyonce, Jessica Alba and Halle Berry.
Diamond-shaped faces: Contour beneath cheekbones and temples to create dimension. Celebrities with diamond-shaped faces include Rihanna, Megan Fox, and Scarlett Johansson.
Round-shaped faces: Apply the contour beneath cheekbones along the jawline and temples to create angles. Celebrities with round-shaped faces include Chrissy Teigen, Selena Gomez, and Mila Kunis.
Heart-shaped faces: Contour along the temples and hairline to soften cheekbones and balance the shape. Celebrities with heart-shaped faces include Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Scarlett Johansson

Tips and Tricks

Complementing contouring with highlighting techniques

To achieve an overall balanced effect, it’s crucial to combine contouring with highlighting. Highlighting complements contouring by adding light and emphasizing areas you wish to bring forward. Ideal areas to highlight include the nose bridge, cheeks, and under the brow bone.

Selection and maintenance of makeup brushes and sponges

Using clean and quality brushes is essential when applying makeup to achieve the desired results. Always clean your tools regularly with mild soap and warm water and allow them to dry naturally. Avoid soaking brushes in water or cleaning harshly to prevent damage.

Other makeup application tips to enhance the overall look

Here are some additional tips to enhance your makeup look:

Begin your makeup application with a light hand, and gradually build your look to avoid overdoing it.
Avoid applying multitasking products under your eyes, as this can create fine lines and wrinkles over time.
If using matte products, it’s crucial to consider setting sprays to maintain the desired finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common contouring mistakes, including overdoing it and using the wrong shade

The most commonly made contouring mistakes include;

Going too heavy: Adding too much contour or highlight will lead to an unnatural look.
Using the wrong shade: Always select the right shade that complements your skin tone.
Forgetting to blend: Blending is vital to achieve a natural-looking contour. Avoid harsh lines and edges by thoroughly blending.

Solutions to fix or prevent these mistakes

Overdoing it: Fix by merely removing excess product with a brush or sponge until you achieve the desired result.
Wrong shade: Always test out shades beforehand and speak with a professional if in doubt.
Forgetting to blend: Use a sponge or brush to blend until the lines are not visible.

Conclusion

Contouring is a fun process that can enhance your natural beauty in a noticeable way. Though challenging to get to grips with initially, it’s one of the simpler makeup techniques to follow with enough practice. Always remember that when it comes to contouring, a subtle touch can go a long way, and you should aim for a natural and glamorous look.

So, go ahead and try out some of the tips and products we’ve recommended in this article to find what works best for you.