Do you desire sharp cheekbones and a soft glow? Understanding how to contour and highlight can be a game changer when it comes to makeup. For best results, use these steps.
The Need For Contours And Highlights
- Creates boundaries on the face.
- Brings out features by adding light.
- When used in combination, they enhance one’s natural beauty.
- When done correctly, contouring and highlighting can make people look like they have sharper cheekbones, a skinnier nose, and a glowing skin.
The Right Products
Best Contour Products
- Powder Contour – Suited for oily skin with matte type.
- Cream Contour – Best for dry skin with a natural dewy look.
- Stick Contour – Great for blending and detailed application.
- Liquid Highlighter – Gives skin a glowing finish and easy blending.
- Powder Highlighter – Ideal for long-lasting results especially for oily skin.
- Cream Highlighter – Suitable for dry skin with a natural glow.
- Contour: A matte color that is 2 -3 shades darker than your skin.
- Highlight: A softer shimmer color that is 1-2 shades lighter.
- Undertone Considerations: Taupe based shades for cool undertones and bronzed shades for warmer tones.
- Blending Brush – Creates Flawless Seamless Contours.
- Angled Brush – Perfect For UnderCheekbone Contouring.
- Blender or Sponge – Used To Effortlessly Blend Products.
- Fan Brush – Lightly Applies Highlighter.
Face Shape Contour and Highlight Application
Face Shape: Oval
- Place the contour on temples and jawline.
- Center of forehead, area right under your eyes, and your chin can be highlighted to enhance feature.
Round
- Side of the forehead and under cheek bones Contour to create more structure.
- Middle of your forehead and your chin can be highlighted to elongate the shape of your face.
Square
- Clips used to soften the angles can be put in the jaw line and edges of the forehead.
- Highlighting the middle of your face adds balance.
Heart
- Supports bringing harmony by contouring temples and the jaw line.
- Highlighting chin and cheek bones brings an even and appeal.
Diamond
- Contour the jawline, the side of the forehead and below the jawline.
- For balance, highlight the face, especially the center and tops of cheekbones.
Step-by-step Process to Apply Makeup
- Start with a base
- Apply contour
- Comb mixes thoroughly
- Highlight here and there
- Finish off your makeup
- Start with a base
Apply foundation and concealer to create an even canvas.
- Apply contour
Use a brush or sponge to place product in key areas according to your face shape.
- Comb mixes thoroughly
Blend well Use circular motions for a seamless finish.
- Highlight here and there
Dab highlighter on high points of the face for a radiant glow.
- Finish off your makeup
Use setting spray or powder to lock in the look for all day.
- Set your makeup
Pro Techniques for a Flawless Finish
- Layer gradually Apply small amounts of product and build up for a natural finish.
- Use different textures Pair cream contour with powder highlighter for dimension.
- Blend upwards Always blend contour upward to lift the features.
- Use setting powder strategically Apply translucent powder under contour to sharpen lines.
- Mix highlight formulas Layer liquid and powder highlighters for extra glow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much product It is always advised to start light then build up for a more natural effect.
- Not blending properly and avoid applying harsh lines in areas that should appear rather natural.
- Contouring
- Choosing the wrong shade Always test shades in natural light before applying.
- Skipping primer and setting spray – You must know that your makeup will smudge if you miss one of these steps.
- Applying highlighter in the wrong spots – Big pores and areas of texture are surely not the places to be highlighting.
Best Products for Contouring and Highlighting
Top Contour Products
- Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Stick
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Powder Kit
- NYX Wonder Stick (great for cheap makeup)
Best Highlighters
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
- Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
- Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter. This works well as a cheap alternative.
Makeup with the best golden touch
- To achieve a natural dewy finish, cream products work best.
- Furthermore, powder contour tends to last the longest for those with oily skin.
- For that airbrushed soft look, use a damp sponge to blend makeup.
- When it comes to daytime looks, never use bold highlighters, only subtle ones will do.
- On the other hand, nighttime looks call for maximum glow. Any sculpted look you wish to achieve will require setting spray all day long.
Perfecting the techniques of highlighting and contouring requires steady hands and a little bit of patience. Try various products and techniques to find the right ones for your skin and face shape. Blend until you shine!