What is Contouring ?
Contouring is the process of shaping an area of the face and enhancing facial structure with makeup. This is also a great technique to gently 'correct' any features or sagging areas on the face. You can also outline any area to make it appear larger. By strategically applying darker shades to sunken areas, such as the hollows of your cheeks and the sides of your nose, and lighter shades to raised areas, such as the cheekbones and brow bones, contouring creates more sculpted features. It's a procedure that was once reserved for high-end photo shoots and runway models, but has become more popular and accessible thanks to the influence of celebrities and Instagram makeup artists. The goal of contouring is no longer to completely transform your face, but to enhance your natural features by adding depth and dimension.
What is the difference between contour and bronzer ?
Although both are designed to add depth to your face, these two makeup products do so in different ways. Bronzer is used to create a sun-kissed, warm glow, mimicking the effect of a natural tan on the skin. The primary purpose of bronzer is to add warmth and dimension to the complexion, making the skin look more radiant and healthy. Bronzer is typically used on the high points of your face where the sun naturally hits, such as the forehead, cheeks, and nose. Unlike other makeup products, a contour is like the illusion of a shadow and is designed perfectly to deepen the angles of your face, making them pop. By applying contour to areas like the hollows of the cheeks, the sides of the nose, and the jaw line, you can create the illusion of sharper, more sculpted features.
What products should you use to contour ?
When choosing contour makeup products, it's important to choose colors that are one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Look for products that are easy to blend and have a matte finish. To contour correctly, you'll need two products: one for highlighting and one for outlining. Using two products is useful because one adds shine and the other creates shadow.
How to Contour for your face shape ?
Contouring and highlighting can be a big task in itself, never mind the fact that the technique can vary depending on the shape of your face and the products you use.
Round Face Shape:
Round face means that the length and width of your face are almost equal and there is no obvious point on your jaw, chin or forehead. Contour along the temples, then to the hollows of the cheeks, just below the cheekbones. From there, move back toward the sides of your face and down to your jaw line again.
Oval Face Shape:
An oval face shape means that your face is approximately twice as long as it is wide. There are no defined points on your chin, jaw, or even hairline. People with oval shaped faces will find it easier to customize their shape, as it is really only needed in the cheek area. Simply contour in the hollows of your cheeks and blend until seamless. Since both your forehead and jaw are already quite narrow, you can skip outlining these areas.
Diamond Face Shape:
A diamond face shape means that your cheeks are the widest part of your face, with your hairline and chin being narrow. Diamond-shaped faces also tend to be longer rather than wider. Contour the lower part of your cheeks starting from your ears to the middle of your cheeks.
Square Face Shape:
A square face shape means that the length and width of your face are approximately equal and your hairline and jawline are approximately equal. First identify where the pits of your cheeks are, once you find that line, lightly outline that area on either side of the face. Next, go down to your jaw line and outline the dust from behind your ear to the edge of your jaw line. Finish by lightly contouring along your hairline.
Rectangle Face Shape:
Add contour to the hollows of your cheeks. For rectangular shaped faces. Instead, keep it closer to the sides of your face. Go up to your forehead and contour along the hairline, starting at the center and stopping before you reach your temples. Finally, move down to your jaw line and contour the sides of your jaw, stopping about halfway up your chin.
Heart Face Shape:
A heart face shape means your chin is narrow and pointed and your cheeks are narrower than your hairline. In most cases you may also have widow's peak. Start outlining from the center of your forehead and move downwards along your temples on either side, following your hairline. From there, work your way up to the tops of your cheeks, pounce into the hollows of your cheeks and then back out.
How to apply Contour ?
Step 1: Prep your face
Always use skincare to prepare your face before applying makeup. First of all wash your face and apply moisturizer. Prime your face using a primer that acts as a barrier between your skin care and makeup, making both work better and last longer.
Step 2: Trace your cheekbones
The most famous method of contouring is to use your darker complexion to create shadow under your cheeks. Suck in your cheeks and apply the product into the hollows of your cheeks, following the natural shape of your jaw line and temples to find your cheekbones. First, use your fingers to find where the bottom of your cheekbones is, then start blending bronzer or one of the darkest shades in the Miracle Contouring Palette just below that. Always start from the middle of your cheeks and reach your ears.
Step 3: Highlight
Apply a light concealer shade or luminous highlighter to areas of your face that naturally reflect light, such as your forehead, bridge of the nose, tip of the nose, tops of the cheeks, Cupid's bow and under the eyes. Around and brow bone.
Step 4: Buff and Blend
Blending is especially important when working with colors that don't match your skin tone. Take a fluffy brush and gently go over your shading in circular motions, keeping this in mind: the more you blend, the more subtle your definition will be.
Step 5: set your look
Apply setting powder or spray to lock your sculpted face into place and achieve a flawless finish.