A beginners guide to contouring

Does contouring make a difference? Is it necessary?

Well, Per hour, at least four videos are uploaded on youtube on the topic "how to contour." you will get 373,000,000 search results on Google, and the hashtag #contour will give you more than 1.5 million tags on Instagram.

I am sure you already know it, that's why you are here.

Some makeup artist thinks this contouring is just a craze which has gone out of control. But despite all the controversies surrounding it, the main thing is contouring can enhance the gorgeous features that you have. Contouring does not magically change the shape of your face; what it does is adding some definition.

But but but, only when it is done just right and not for the gimmick.

No matter how much we talk about, It is a mystery to BEGINNERS. There is countless information on the web on how to contour. But still, it is not easier to figure out where to start.

In our article, we will help you so that you can get started and understand the procedure step by step. You will get all the information about contouring, products you need, and how to apply contour and highlight perfectly to enhance your features.

First thing first, find the Right Shade and Texture for your skin tone:

Finding the right shade for your skin tone will win you half of the battle as it is a difficult task for many of us, especially in our favorite brands. The shade of contour should be on or two colors deeper than your skin tone, not more than that.

If you are someone with light to medium skin tone, chose taupes or greyish brown. Darker skin tones will need warmer shades.

You do not need to buy expensive contouring palettes with loads of colors. One decent bronzer is all you need.

There are two types of contours: powder and creamy/liquid.

For oily to combination skin, and a natural look, powder contours are preferable. If you want to have a dramatic look, the creamy formula will give you a better result. There are many good drugstore cream contours you can try at the beginning. If you have dry skin and want a subtle look, you can use the liquid formula as well.

No need to sculpt your entire face:

You don't need to contour the whole face. Focus on your cheeks, forehead, nose, and jawline

Time to contour:

Our goal of contouring is to look as natural as possible. It is better if you can find natural light.you will be able to find the places where usually your face is highlighted by the sun. Apply the product where shadows would be found on your face- sides of your nose, forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, are points that need to be contoured.

Apply contour from the middle of your ear and blend towards the corner of mouth up to your mid-cheek. Start applying it lightly and then gradually add color until you get a subtle look.

Apply along your hairline if you want the more profound look, under the chin for a sculpted jawline, and blend soft parallel lines on each side for the nose to make it look slimmer.

Do not use shimmery products as a contour. Contouring aims to add depth with matte colors that can absorb light. When you use shimmers, it does just the opposite.

Blending is crucial:

When it comes to contouring, perfect blending is super important. The transition should be seamless and impeccable. Apply contour in sweeping motions. It would help you to look as natural as possible.

Use Highlighter and Blush:

Balance your contour With Highlighter and Blush is essential. Here is where all the magic happens. Chose a texture the same as your contour, powder, cream, or liquid.use highlighter on top of your cheekbones to brighten the complexion a.

Tips and trick:

1. Tap off the excess powder from your brush. If there is too much product on the brush, the contour line will look super harsh.
2. Use light powder to clean the bottom line of your cheekbones to make them look sharper.

Contour according to your face shape:

You should contour according to your face shape. Let us find out how to emphasize your facial features according to the face shape.

Oval Face Shape:

An oval-shaped face is 1.5 times longer than its width, and it doesn't have any distinctive points. So it looks like an egg upside down.

If you have an oval-shaped face, contour your cheekbones as usual, but to make your forehead somewhat narrower, add a little amount of contour colors to the sides of your forehead.

Use Matte highlighter under the eyes, and to the middle of forehead and chin.if you add some shimmering highlighter under the brow bone. It will make your eyes more defined.

Oblong Face Shape:

An Oblong Face is longer than its width. If you have Oblong Face Shape, at first blend some contour on your hairline to make it appear lower. Then add some powder to your chin to allude a rounder face. At last, contour your cheekbones by blending your bronzer from the ears up to your cheeks. As for highlighting, use a bright matte highlighting powder under your eyes in the triangular shape.

Round Face:

For round shapes, the length is almost the same as the width. The jawline, hairline, or chin are not defined for round faces.

If you have round shape face start with blending contour powder to the sides of the forehead and then come down to the cheekbones.

For cheeks, blend contour from the ears to cheeks and down to where your chin begins.this will create an allusion of a longer face.

Highlight your forehead, chin, and underneath the eyes in the upside-down triangular shape.

Square Face Shape:

Is the length of your face is about the same as the width? Then you have got a square face.

At first, blend contour or bronzer along the hairline along with sides of your forehead. This will make your forehead look narrow. Blend some bronzer under the jawline as well. Contour the cheekbone as usual. Apply highlighter to the chin and under the eyes. Add some shimmering highlighter to your brow bone.

Conclusion:

That's it. You are done with contouring. Complete your makeup with a natural eye look, and you are good to go. Remember, practice is the key to perfect contouring. Try some products to get the ideal match for your contour color.

Hey, I am Betty Mahoney. I am glad to welcome you to my profile. I am a freelance writer by profession.