Mastering Face Contouring Techniques Like a Pro

Contouring has become an integral part of makeup, allowing you to model and correct the shape of your face. The correct application of products helps to highlight the best features and create the perfect look.

Contouring gives the face the necessary shape using light and shadow. If you know how to contour your face with makeup, you can make your makeup perfect. 

Understanding Your Face Shape

Please only rush to contour with the understanding that all faces are different, and each shape has its scheme. There are several basic face shapes. Each option has its characteristics and approaches to design:

• oval;
• round;
• square;
• heart;
• elongated.

Face shape plays a key role in determining which areas need to be highlighted or, conversely, softened. It would help if you determined your face shape correctly. Use a mirror and carefully look around from all sides. Here are the instructions:

1. Stand in front of the mirror so that the light falls directly on you.
2. Use a soft pencil or marker to outline your face in the mirror.
3. Step back and look at the shape — it will tell you what type of face you belong to.

You can also use face measurement. This kind of insurance will check how correctly the determination was made.

Essential Tools and Products

You will need not only a contour makeup guide but also the basic tools to perform this stage of face makeup.

Contouring Products

The choice of contouring products is vast. Modern manufacturers offer cream and powder products. Each option has its advantages:

1. Cream contours are great for creating depth and volume. They are easy to shade and ideal for dry and normal skin. Cream textures like Lamel Cream Face BB Contour give a more natural finish. You will get Hollywood makeup.
2. Powder contours work great for oily skin. They help control the shine. For example, Lamel Face Contour is an excellent choice for oily skin, as it maintains a matte finish and does not create a «mask» effect.

The selection of the right shade is essential for the contouring process. It should be slightly darker than your natural skin tone. 

Highlighting Products

A highlighting pencil is a product used to highlight and accentuate certain parts of the face. Manufacturers offer various products with different consistencies, glows, and glitters.

Matte highlighters are suitable for daytime makeup. They have a more natural effect and can be used additionally on the cheekbones and forehead. Shimmering highlighters add radiance and are ideal for an evening look. 

Brushes and Applicators

 

The right tools for applying contour makeup will help you achieve a professional result. You will need:

• angled brushes are ideal for contouring cheekbones and allow you to apply the product carefully, so you can use them to contour your nose;
• beauty blenders and sponges will help shade the contour and make it more natural and they are handy when using creamy textures;
• detail brushes are designed for contouring small areas, such as the nose or eye area (thin and flat brushes are ideal for such tasks).

Ensure your makeup bag contains products and tools for proper application and blending.

Additional Tools

It is best to use a well-lit mirror. The blending of the products will be perfect. They will prolong the durability of your makeup. Products with a fixing effect will help keep your makeup in place throughout the day.

Preparing the Canvas: Your Skin

Not all girls know how to apply contour makeup, and few prepare their skin for this process. However, contouring works better on a prepared face. Ensure you follow a daily skincare cleansing, moisturizing, and protection routine.

Skincare Routine

Clean and moisturized skin is the key to successful makeup. Use moisturizers and serums as a preparatory stage.

The base should have healthy skin. The presence of acne or dryness indicates that you need to do pre-care before starting contouring. 

Foundation Application

The foundation for makeup should be applied immediately after care. It creates an even coating, so to speak, a clean canvas for beautiful makeup. The foundation will also allow the contour makeup to last longer. 

The Science of Light and Shadow

Dark areas «disappear» while light areas attract attention. Using light and dark shades, you can visually reduce or enlarge certain areas of the face. For example, eclipsing the hairline will help hide the massiveness of the forehead, and highlighting the cheekbones will give the face clearer contours.

Warm and cool contouring shades can create different effects. Warm ones add softness to the face, while cool ones add definition and sculpture. Use cool shades to highlight the cheekbones and warm ones to create volume on the cheeks. The secret to successful competition is the balance of light and shadow. By applying contours to different face areas, you create volume and depth. 

Step-by-Step Contouring Guide

Contouring involves several steps, each important to creating a complete look. Check out the following guide:

1. Preparation – make sure your skin is clean and well-hydrated, then, apply the foundation to cover the skin evenly.
2. Define contour areas – apply a dark shade to areas you want to remove or reduce visually, such as the sides of your nose, jawline, hairline, and temples.
3. Highlight – you will successfully highlight your cheekbones, nose, and areas under your eyebrows.
4. Blend – use a brush or beauty blender to blend the contours and blend the lines until they look natural.
5. Finish the look – a powder or setting spray will be the perfect finishing touch.

Every step is essential in creating makeup. This approach will allow you to achieve quality makeup that will not look like a mask on your face.

Mapping Out Contour Areas

You should look closely at your face and determine which areas you would like to reduce and which ones you would like to emphasize. The former should be darkened, and the latter should be highlighted with a highlighter.

Applying Contour Products

A small amount of the product is recommended by experts. This will prevent the creation of unnatural spots. If the contour is insufficient, you can layer it. This approach will create a natural contour and avoid clear lines.

Highlighting Key Features

Highlighters will help emphasize key facial features:

• top of cheekbones;
• bridge of the nose;
• under the eyebrow;
• corners of the lips.

It all depends on how much you want your face to shine. For daytime makeup, it is better to use a minimum of highlighter; for evening looks, you should add light.

Blending Like a Pro

Proper shading is the key to successful design. Special brushes, sponges, and beauty blenders will help you. Ensure all products are well-shaded and there are no clear lines. 

Contouring Techniques for Different Face Shapes

Each face shape has its own instructions for perfect contouring:

• oval – soften the features, highlight the cheekbones, and give the face a natural structure;
• round – lengthen and narrow the face;
• square – pay attention to the lower part of the face, and soften it;
• heart – narrow your forehead to make it look more harmonious;
• elongated – emphasize the horizontal lines of the face to create balance.

These recommendations will help different girls create perfect contouring and get beautiful makeup.

Professional Tips and Tricks

Experienced beauty experts know different life hacks:

• work with different lighting depending on what kind of makeup you are doing;
• adjust the intensity of contouring;
• when contouring for a photo shoot, take into account the lighting characteristics;
• contour depending on the occasion;
• do not mix too many products, use a minimum amount of products;
• use life hacks to quickly correct mistakes.

Do not disdain the advice of experts. They will open up many exciting and valuable things for you.

Contouring for All Skin Tones

It's important to know not only what's contour makeup, but also to understand that each skin tone requires its unique approach:

• light – use soft shades that add warmth without creating a dirty effect (beige and light brown tones);
• medium – choose golden tones; they will give the skin a fresh and sunny look;
• deep – use rich colors, such as chocolate and deep bronze tones, to highlight the contours of the face.

Please get to know different manufacturers and their palettes. This approach will allow you to find the perfect products for your skin tone.

 

Incorporating Contouring into Your Makeup Routine

To achieve the perfect look, contouring should be integrated into your daily makeup routine. Start with small strokes, gradually adding depth and volume as you master the technique. Contouring can be used for daytime looks with a subtle accent and evening events with more intense lines.

Maintenance and Longevity

To ensure that contouring lasts all day, it is important to use setting sprays or powders. This will help make-up look fresh and last longer. It is also important that there is no contact with your face. This will help you avoid smudging your makeup.

Removing Contour Makeup Properly

It is essential to know how to apply contouring correctly and remove it effectively from your face. Use gentle, oil-based makeup removers. This thoroughly removes all product layers without irritating your skin.

Conclusion

Contouring is an art that anyone can master. Properly selected products and tools, successfully chosen techniques, and constant practice will help you create the perfect makeup. Don't be afraid to experiment. So you can find the perfect ones for you.