Contouring and highlighting have become popular makeup techniques in recent years, thanks in large part to celebrities and makeup artists showcasing their perfectly sculpted cheekbones and glowing skin on social media. While these techniques may seem intimidating for the average makeup wearer, they are actually quite simple to master with the right tools and guidance. In this blog post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of contouring and highlighting like a pro.
Before we delve into the specifics of contouring and highlighting, it’s important to understand the purpose of these techniques. Contouring involves using a darker shade of makeup to create the illusion of shadows on the face, giving the appearance of more defined features. Highlighting, on the other hand, uses a lighter shade to bring light to the high points of the face, adding dimension and creating a radiant glow.
To begin, you will need a few key products to achieve a flawless contour and highlight. These include a contour powder or cream, a highlighting powder or cream, a foundation that matches your skin tone, a makeup brush or sponge, and a blending brush. It’s also helpful to have a mirror in a well-lit area to ensure precision and accuracy.
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Before applying any makeup, it’s important to start with a clean canvas. Begin by cleansing and moisturizing your face to create a smooth base for your makeup. Once your skin is prepped, apply a primer to help your makeup last longer and create a more even finish.
Step 2: Apply Foundation
Next, apply your foundation to even out your skin tone and create a blank canvas for your contour and highlight. Make sure to blend the foundation seamlessly into your skin using a brush or sponge for a natural look.
Step 3: Contour
Now it’s time to start contouring. Choose a contour powder or cream that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. Using a contour brush, apply the product to the areas of your face where shadows naturally fall, such as the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, and along your jawline. Remember to blend the product well to avoid any harsh lines.
Step 4: Highlight
Once you have contoured the shadows on your face, it’s time to add light with a highlighting powder or cream. Choose a shade that is a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone and apply it to the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the center of your forehead. Blend the product well to create a seamless transition between the contour and highlight.
Step 5: Blend
Blending is key to achieving a natural and flawless contour and highlight. Using a blending brush, gently buff the contour and highlight products into your skin in a circular motion to soften any harsh lines and create a seamless finish.
Step 6: Set Your Makeup
To ensure your contour and highlight last all day, set your makeup with a translucent powder. This will help to lock the products in place and prevent any smudging or fading throughout the day.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
To complete your look, add a touch of blush to the apples of your cheeks for a healthy flush of color. You can also add a shimmery highlighter to further enhance the glow on your skin.
With these simple steps, you can achieve a professional-looking contour and highlight that will enhance your features and elevate your makeup game. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of it. Remember, makeup is all about experimentation and self-expression, so have fun with it and embrace your unique beauty.
In conclusion, contouring and highlighting are effective techniques that can help accentuate your facial features and create a more sculpted and radiant look. By following the steps outlined in this blog post and practicing regularly, you can become a pro at contouring and highlighting in no time. So grab your makeup brushes and get ready to slay your contour and highlight game like a true makeup artist.
