Ever wondered how to contour like a pro? Thanks to the billions oface makeup artistson YouTube, everyone's becoming a bit more of a beauty expert these days. This is great news: Pro techniquesare now available toeveryone, which means we can all look Instagram-ready at every opportunity. But on the other hand, if you're not paying careful attention (or you're watching the wrong tutorial), things can go from pretty to pretty scary in a flash.
Contouring, a technique previously reserved forrunway modelsand fancy photo shoots, is now becoming part of many people'sdaily routines — thanks in part to celeb and Instagram makeup artists who share the same love for the chiseled look. Soooo, what is contouring, exactly? "Contouring is giving shape to an area of the face and enhancing the facial structure through makeup," says Beau Nelson, Kristen Stewart's longtime makeup artist. "It's not supposed to be noticeable — just a subtle definition."
So, how exactly are you supposed create the subtle illusion and not a full-on Instagram filtered face? Read on to learn how to contour your face and create a natural, pretty-looking result.
1. Create a Base
After you apply your foundation and concealer, brush on a light layer of translucent powder to your face to create a clean base so the contour can go on smoothly.
2. Choose the Right Product and Brush
"If you're using powders to contour, you'll get a more matte finish. If you use creams, the result will be more dewy," says pro makeup artist Pati Dubroff, explaining that it's best for beginners to start with creamy products, since they're easy to blend and build.
No matter what formula you choose, however, it's best to stick to matte finishes. "Always avoid shimmery products," says Pati. "Contours are meant to be matte, while highlight is meant to have shimmer."
Contouring isn't a job for full, fluffy brushes. "Start with a smaller, fluffy eyeshadow brush so you have more precision," Beau says. "You should buy two, one for contouring and one for highlighting." Just about every makeup artist in the world swears byMAC 217 Blending Brush. Another great trick is to adapt a fan brush into your routine — E.L.F Cosmeticshas a fantastic, low-priced option that's great for feathering products into the hairline, under the jawline, and around the cheekbone for a precise, airbrushed finish. You also might want to check out E.L.F.'s affordable Blush Brush.
3. Map Out Your Face
When applying the contour itself, build pigment as you go and use your bone structure as a guide. Use circular motions to sweep color to the areas you want to look smaller or hollow out. The basic places for contouring include the area under the jawline, the sides of the temples, and the hollows of your cheekbones. The sides of the nose and the hairline are also areas people sometimes choose to contour.
4. Build Then Buff
If you have a lot of sharp lines from applying your color, Pati recommends using a clean cotton pad to remove excess product. "Use a regular foundation brush or a damp egg sponge and tap it into the contour to make sure there's no demarcation," Pati advises. In other words? You absolutelyneedto blend it in. "Don't forget to add some happy color to the apple of the cheek and a bit of sheen to the cheekbones to further enhance the complexion." Opt for a peachy-pink for a natural-looking flush (we like Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Peaceful), then add luminizer just at the top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, along your cupid's bow, and a hint on the chin for super-fresh skin. Our longstanding favorite is RMS Living Luminzer,and both Pati and Beau suggested Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight.
5. Highlight
Highlighting is a great complement to contouring. Where contouring basically darkens the areas of your face that are in shadow, highlighting lightens the areas that the light would naturally hit. Taking the extra step of highlighting enhances the overall effect of contouring. To highlight, take a clean brush and apply a light shade of color to the brow bone, the top of your cheekbones, the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, the center of your chin and the top of your cupid's bow.
Choosing the RightContour Color for YourSkinTone
Now that you've got the basics of how to contour down, it's time to choose the right color for your unique skin tone. This might seem like it goes without saying — but how many times have you seen someone walking around with the dreaded foundation line? With contouring, one shade most definitely does not fit all.
