To take care of the perfect makeup, we need to familiarize ourselves with the steps of proper face contouring. Rest assured – we don’t need a makeup professional to do this. It’s enough to know a few basic rules.
What is contouring? It’s the art of using different shades to create the illusion of having more defined facial features. Although it may seem complicated and seem like an advanced cosmetic skill, contouring should not be feared. Just because we don’t have thousands of glam makeup products in our inventory, it doesn’t mean we can’t achieve a contouring “wow” effect at home. All it takes is a few strategic strokes of bronzer, a touch of highlight and poof! You can magically and painlessly sculpt your face in seconds. But be careful, if you overdo it, you could be left with muddy streaks and a dried out complexion – not ideal.
When we talk about setting the scene for the whole procedure, we don’t mean filling the room with scented candles and playing calming music. Although why not – if it’s going to help you, go ahead. It’s important to do some groundwork before you start contouring to ensure you get the best results. So it’s a good idea to make sure you have the best lighting possible.
Using the right tool is an essential step when applying any makeup product. A flat or small makeup brush is the perfect tool for the job. Whatever you do, don’t use powder or blush brushes. They’re too big to get the precision you need – and you might end up like Bridget Jones when she did her makeup in a cab
Making sure we’re using the right color is essential. We can be the world’s best artist for precise contouring, but if our makeup shades don’t match our complexion, we’ll look ridiculous. Let’s choose shades that will coordinate with our natural skin tone for a subtly sculpted, natural look. Let’s choose a contour shade that is about two tones darker than foundation and a highlighter that is two tones lighter.
When contouring, it is important that we follow our own features and map our own face, not someone else’s. Start by identifying the hollows on your cheekbones and the high points of your face so you know exactly where to apply darker and lighter shades. The key is to remember that lighter shades will highlight them, while darker shades will make them recede. We can use these shades to skillfully draw attention to certain parts of the face, such as the eyes and cheekbones, and draw attention away from others
Because we’re working with shades that don’t match our skin tone, blending is especially important. Using a large, fluffy brush, a blending brush, or a makeup sponge, blend the shadows with a layer of foundation until the lines created look more natural.
Main photo: Kelly Sikkema/unsplash.com
