If you’re a lover of all things makeup, then you’ll know that there are loads of tips and hacks for multi-purposing your beauty kit and getting the most out of your favourite products. One of our favourites is one that lets you get full use out of that too-dark or too-light foundation you bought accidentally – everyone’s done it. So if you’ve got a couple of bottles of base that don’t quite match your skin, try this. It’s the ultimate frugal beauty trick: contouring with your foundation.
HIGHLIGHT
Add your lightest shade of foundation to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the centre of your chin and just above your jawline.
Try: Rimmel London Fresher Skin Foundation, £5.99
CONTOUR
Use a darker foundation (the one you most likely use in the summer months – two shades darker, ideally) and apply this colour to the hollow areas of your cheeks. It’ll add definition without too much striping or streaking, so that you can add shadows that look super-natural.
Try: Match Perfection Foundation, £7.99
BLEND AND SET
Use a face brush or powder puff to add a subtly-tinted setting powder in order to finish off your look. We love how the Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder, £3.99, sets our base. Try out a few essentials to complete your overall look: an all-in one contouring palette and a nude lipstick like this one to look perfectly polished and completely natural.
If you’re not sure whether you need light, medium or full coverage foundation, fret not. We’ve got the guide to picking the right texture for your face base.
As a seasoned beauty enthusiast with a wealth of hands-on experience and an in-depth knowledge of makeup techniques, I can confidently guide you through the art of multi-purposing your beauty kit. My expertise extends to various makeup hacks, and one that stands out is the ingenious use of foundation for contouring, turning a makeup mishap into a frugal beauty trick.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and explore each step of this foundation contouring technique:
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Multi-Purposing Foundation:
- The article suggests using foundation for both its intended purpose and as a tool for contouring, showcasing an understanding of the versatility of makeup products.
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Contouring Technique:
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Highlighting: The article recommends using the lightest shade of foundation to highlight specific areas on the face, including the tops of cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the center of the chin, and just above the jawline. This technique enhances certain facial features and adds dimension.
- Product recommendation: Rimmel London Fresher Skin Foundation, priced at £5.99, is suggested for highlighting.
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Contouring: A darker foundation, ideally two shades darker and typically used in the summer months, is advised for contouring. Application should focus on the hollow areas of the cheeks, providing definition without excessive striping or streaking.
- Product recommendation: Match Perfection Foundation, priced at £7.99, is recommended for contouring.
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Blending and Setting:
- The article emphasizes the importance of blending to achieve a natural look. It suggests using a face brush or powder puff to apply a subtly-tinted setting powder. Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder, priced at £3.99, is recommended to set the base and complete the makeup look.
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Overall Look Essentials:
- The article suggests considering additional elements to perfect the overall look, such as an all-in-one contouring palette and a nude lipstick for a polished and natural appearance.
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Foundation Coverage Guide:
- The article mentions a guide for selecting the right texture of foundation (light, medium, or full coverage) based on individual preferences and needs.
In conclusion, the foundation contouring technique presented in the article showcases a deep understanding of makeup application, product selection, and the art of achieving a flawless and natural look. These tips are not only practical but also economically savvy, making them a valuable addition to any makeup enthusiast's repertoire.
FAQs
Start with your foundation and concealer as you normally would. Then with the darker contour shade use an angled makeup brush to apply the product under your cheekbones, along your forehead and the jawline. Blend into the skin using a damp beauty sponge, a buffing brush or a stippling brush.
Should contour be lighter or darker than your foundation? ›
While picking a contour shade, keep in mind that the colour should be at least two shades darker than your foundation to create the necessary shadows. But be wary of going too dark as it will end up looking harsh and patchy.
What contour to use with liquid foundation? ›
That being said, if you have oily skin but still want a liquid base of contour, you can also make use of your liquid foundation that's three shades darker to contour then set it with your powder contour for a more defined and longer-lasting contour and matte finish.
What can I use if I don't have contour? ›
But you can also use: Cocoa or taupe eyeshadow is the classic substitute, but lipstick that's anywhere from copper to raisin can also work. The shade you choose should depend on your skin tone and what you you already know looks good on you.
Does contour go over or under foundation? ›
You can contour before foundation or after foundation—it's really up to you and the effect you're seeking. Applying foundation first is the more standard practice. This order of application gives you a nice, even base to layer your contour on top of.
What type of contour is best for beginners? ›
NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Cream Highlight & Contour Stick. Nyx's Wonder Stick is great for beginners because it's so easy to use and the formula glides on so nicely. It's really forgiving and doesn't require too much blending.
What are the 7 rules of contouring? ›
Q-Chat
- All points on a contour line have the same elevation.
- Contour lines usually do not cross, intersect, or separate.
- Closely spaced contour lines represent steep slopes.
- Widely spaced contour lines represent gentle slopes.
- Contour lines form V's when crossing a valley.
Contouring makeup is usually applied after foundation and concealer. Cream, liquid, and stick contours can be applied directly on top of foundation and then blended out for a seamless finish.
Do you blend contour with a brush or sponge? ›
For instance, starting with a small amount of product, like foundation, will allow you to achieve your ideal coverage by building. For contouring, use a damp makeup sponge to mix the colors and ensure no graphic lines are left behind.
Do you put powder over contour? ›
Blend your contour and highlighter with the rest of your makeup using clean brushes. Finally, add a little setting powder on top to hold your makeup in place. For more tips from our Beauty co-author, including how to choose the right contour products for your skin tone, read on!
Use the darker foundation shade (or bronzer) and apply it to the areas that you'd like to contour, such as the hollows of your cheeks, temples, hairline, jawline or nose. Start with a lighter application at first. You can always add more to build the intensity.
What is the difference between bronzer and contour? ›
As we mentioned, bronzer typically has a warmer hue and is used to add color to the skin. Contour products typically lean more cool-toned and are used to create shadows, sculpt and add dimension to the face with shading. Contour is often paired with highlighter (a lighter colored concealer) to enhance the shadows.
When should you not use contour? ›
Most women don't do contouring for every day makeup. It's a special occasion/evening thing for the majority. It's heavy makeup and doesn't do well in broad daylight or bright office light.
Can I use a darker foundation as contour? ›
Use the darker foundation shade (or bronzer) and apply it to the areas that you'd like to contour, such as the hollows of your cheeks, temples, hairline, jawline or nose. Start with a lighter application at first. You can always add more to build the intensity.
How do I choose the right contour shade? ›
Your foundation is a great place to start when beginning your contouring journey. “Think the same tone family as your foundation, but one to two shades darker than your skin; that's about as dark as you should go.
What happens if your contour is too dark? ›
Using the wrong contour shade, either too dark or warm, can lead to an unnatural and muddy appearance. Applying too much product at once results in harsh lines and streaks that are difficult to blend out.
Is contour just a darker foundation? ›
While contouring often uses a darker shade of makeup, it is not just foundation applied in a darker shade. Contour products are specifically formulated with a matte finish and deeper pigmentation to create the illusion of shadows and add depth to certain areas of the face, such as the cheekbones, jawline, and forehead.
