Contouring and highlighting have taken the beauty world by storm in recent years. Thanks to celebrities and social media influencers, the art of sculpting and defining the face has become more popular than ever. But for many beginners, contouring and highlighting can be intimidating and overwhelming. With so many products and techniques to choose from, it’s easy to feel lost.
Fear not, because in this post, we will break down the basics of contouring and highlighting and provide you with tips and tricks to help you achieve a flawless, pro-level look.
Let’s start with the basics: what is contouring and highlighting?
Contouring is the process of using darker shades of makeup to create shadows and define the natural hollows of the face. This technique is often used to slim down the nose, sculpt the cheekbones, and define the jawline.
Highlighting, on the other hand, involves using lighter shades of makeup to add brightness and dimension to the high points of the face. This technique is used to bring out certain features, such as the cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of the nose.
Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into the steps to contour and highlight like a pro:
Step 1: Prep your skin
Before you start contouring and highlighting, it’s important to prep your skin. Start by cleansing and moisturizing your face, and then apply a primer to create a smooth base for your makeup. This will help your contour and highlight products blend seamlessly into your skin.
Step 2: Choose the right products
When it comes to contouring and highlighting, choosing the right products is key. For contouring, opt for a matte bronzer or contour powder that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. For highlighting, choose a shimmery highlighter or illuminator that is a few shades lighter than your skin tone.
Step 3: Map out your face
Before you start applying your contour and highlight products, it’s important to map out your face. This will help you determine where to apply each product and ensure a balanced, symmetrical look.
To contour the face, start by sucking in your cheeks and applying the contour powder along the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and the sides of your nose. To highlight, apply the highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose.
Step 4: Blend, blend, blend
One of the most important steps in contouring and highlighting is blending. To avoid harsh lines and achieve a seamless, natural look, make sure to blend your contour and highlight products thoroughly. Use a beauty sponge or makeup brush to blend the products into your skin, working in small, circular motions.
Step 5: Set your makeup
Once you’ve finished contouring and highlighting, it’s important to set your makeup to ensure it lasts all day. Use a translucent setting powder to lock in your makeup and prevent any smudging or fading.
Now that you have the basic steps down, let’s move on to some expert tips and tricks to help you take your contouring and highlighting game to the next level:
Tip 1: Use the right tools
Having the right tools is essential for achieving a flawless contour and highlight look. Invest in a good set of makeup brushes or beauty sponges to help you apply and blend your products with precision.
Tip 2: Less is more
When it comes to contouring and highlighting, less is more. Start with a small amount of product and build it up gradually to avoid going overboard. Remember, you can always add more product if needed, but it’s much harder to remove excess product once it’s applied.
Tip 3: Customize your contour and highlight
Everyone’s face shape is different, so it’s important to customize your contour and highlight to suit your individual features. Take the time to experiment and figure out what works best for your face shape, whether it’s adding extra definition to your cheekbones or enhancing your brow bones.
Tip 4: Experiment with different techniques
There are countless contouring and highlighting techniques to choose from, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Whether you prefer cream contour products or powder highlighters, there’s a technique out there that will work best for you.
Tip 5: Practice makes perfect
Like any skill, contouring and highlighting takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t turn out exactly how you envisioned – keep practicing and experimenting, and soon enough you’ll be contouring and highlighting like a pro.
In conclusion, contouring and highlighting can seem daunting at first, but with the right products, tools, and techniques, anyone can achieve a flawless, pro-level look. Remember to prep your skin, choose the right products, map out your face, blend thoroughly, and set your makeup for long-lasting results. And most importantly, have fun and don’t be afraid to experiment and get creative with your contour and highlight techniques. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be contouring and highlighting like a pro in no time.
