Contouring is the art of sculpting one’s body through the creation of shadows that weren’t previously there. Adding a dark color makes a certain part of your body look like it is receded and adding a lighter color makes it look like light is hitting more. If light is hitting it more, then it is more protruding and therefore stands out. It’s all about creating an illusion of something that isn’t actually there. It’s very much used on TV, movies and photography and we sometimes use it even without realizing it – for example when we do our eye makeup and add a brow highlight or a darker shadow on the crease.
The best way to learn about the anatomy of your face is to touch it and feel where your bones are. That way, you’ll be more confident enough to contour without the need to go through months of training on human anatomy.
Great products for contouring are foundations that are too dark for you (maybe grab the one you bought by mistake), concealers, brown-ish blushes or bronzers, for example. Avoid shimmery products as shimmer attracts light and we are trying to achieve the exact opposite. As for highlight, you can use a light eyeshadow, a light foundation or concealer or even the special powders and light reflecting liquids available on the market. I like to contour using powders because I use a powder foundation. If you put creams or liquids on top of powder, you’ll end up with patchiness and that ugly caked on look, not to mention that it wouldn’t last long. If you use liquid or cream foundation, you probably already set it with powder and depending on how much contour you make, if you use powder products, you can skip powdering your foundation with the regular powder altogether.
The best brushes to do all this on your face and body are either Contour Blush Brushes
for their angle precision and because they do half of the blending for you or regular blush brushes which are usually much more readily available. For smaller areas, use a fluffy medium sized eyeshadow brush.
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I do contour sometimes when I have the time. I feel it does give my face a whole lot more definition and dimension, it's a great trick to employ especially when you're getting photographed. :)
ReplyDeleteirina.sagarbarria at gmail dot com
I am new at wearing make up so I am learing the ends and outs of contouring and making illusions. I have natural hair and i feel like people stare at you so now i definetly give them something to stare at.
ReplyDeletei don't tend to use alot of makeup but who knows what i will do with my face in the future
ReplyDeleteI love make up, but don't contour because most of the time I'm in a rush.
ReplyDeleteBut when i do have time i like to experiment.
I <3 makeup!!! The only parts of my face that I currently contour are my cheeks. I love that chisled look! I honestly don't know that I will ever contour any other part of my face. I have experimented with my nose, but just don't like the results (too fake looking). Thanks for the opportunity to win!!
ReplyDeleteI love contouring and I use HIP e/s duo to do it. I mostly contour my nose because I have a broad nose so to get a define straight nose I contour it. I also contour my cheek bones and under my chin to soften and diminish the look of my double chin. I love a define face so I love contouring, it's not a every day thing but I try to do it on major occasion.
ReplyDeleteI'm really inexperienced when it comes to wearing makeup. I've never heard of contouring, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about it.
ReplyDeleteIm a makeup newbie. I love the way contouring works. Its like magic! I have tried it a few times but I still want to learn more ways to perfect my look!
ReplyDeleteI just started wearing foundation 2 weeks ago. I never wore makeup before, but the older I get the more i want to experiment. I've read about contouring and would love to try it.
ReplyDeletethe ONLY part of my face that I contour are my cheekbones...I tend to use a trio of blushes, so I put the two darker colors on the apples of my cheeks and the lighter color, I usually brush ABOVE my cheekbone, on top of it. It defines my cheekbones, to stick out A LOT more, I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI rarely wear makeup and when I do I rarely contour. I do not find it necessary.
ReplyDeletei love makeup. buti don't contour because i've never had the chance
ReplyDeleteI have tried contouring underneath my cheek bones and on my eye lids. I liked it alright. It does give the face a pop and kind of a model look. However currently I prefer a more softer look with contouring with just blush. I feel my face has a natural contour that I like to have shine on its own.
ReplyDeleteHaving a fuller face (I am over 40 and also over 200 pounds, FOR NOW!), I find that contouring really adds that dimensional depth which pulls in my cheekbones and donwplays those areas I don't want to look as full. I use deeper shades under my chin, under my cheekbones and along the sides of my nose. I like to use highlighting shades to play up the tops of the cheeks, center of my nose and center of my chin.
ReplyDeleteI also will use my contouring powders over my camouflaging cream (to hide dark circles and blemishes, though few) under the eye area.
I'm still new at makeup but I do add a brow hightlight while doing my eyeshadow.
ReplyDeleteI do contour the hollow of my cheeks most of the time I wear makeup. When done correctly, it really does make a difference.
ReplyDeleteVanessasSecret4@aol.com
the only contouring i do is to highlight under my eyebrow and in my crease apply a darker eyeshadow and i definitely love the illusion it creates!!! i however have natural contours in the hollow of my cheeks....yay me!!!
ReplyDeleteno i dont, but i would really love to learn.
ReplyDeleteI rarely wear make up and when I do it's just eyeshadow... i would rather people see me in my natural state. I DON'T CONTOUR.
ReplyDeleteI wear makeup but I have never contoured, its something that I would like to try because I like the look it gives off. Makes the face just POP!!!!!!!!1
ReplyDeleteI didn't use to contour but since I had my daughter 4 months ago I've been trying to hide my baby fat!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am a make up lover in training, but I have been afraid to try the contour!
ReplyDeleteI've been wearing makeup for the longest but I still have a lot of learning to do. I've just been put on to the concept of contouring, although I do own two contouring brushes. I use them as blush brushes. I think I plan on buying to shades of a cream to powder foundation and giving them a try. I really want to bring out my cheek bones and I think this contouring method will really help.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know anything about contouring untill now. Thanks FIFI! lol
ReplyDelete