What is Contouring?

A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Contouring is an advanced makeup technique which can enhance the structure and definition of your facial features. It consists of the technique of highlighting by using makeup to enhance parts of the face where light would naturally hit. Contouring is basically about illusions. The technique also sculpts areas of the face that you want to appear thinner or more defined. The main objective of contouring is to define or minimize features by using darker and lighter makeup to sculpt or highlight.

In addition to your usual foundation and primer, here are the tools you will need:

Cream foundation*

— A cream foundation or concealer — 1 to 2 shades lighter than your skin

— A cream foundation or concealer — 1 to 2 shades darker than your skin

Brushes

— An angled brush or sculpting brush

— A foundation brush

— A brush to blend

— A powder brush

How to Steps

1. Start by highlighting under your eyes

Use the concealer brush to place your lighter makeup shade under each eye from the outer corner of your eye down and over to the rim of your nostril (almost in the shape of a triangle). This brightens your face and gives your eyes an extra pop.

Enhance the structure and definition of your facial features.

2. Highlight key areas

While using that same brush and lighter makeup shade, apply makeup down the bridge of your nose, on the cupids bow of your lips, and in the center of your forehead. This creates an overall highlight of where light would naturally fall onto your face.

3. Sculpt your nose

To create the illusion of a narrower, straighter, or more defined nose, shade each side by applying the darker makeup shade to each side of the nose. Start from the inner eyebrow to the tip of the nose and blend well. You want to draw a straight line, so it’s best to use a small concealer brush when highlighting and sculpting the contour of your nose.

4. Sculpt your cheeks

Make a fish face in the mirror. Under your cheekbone, apply the darker makeup shade parallel to your jaw. Start from your hairline and move toward the outer edge of your mouth on each side. For a glowing appearance, apply a slight illuminator or bronzer on the cheekbones.

5. Sculpt a larger forehead

This step is only necessary if you’d like your forehead to appear smaller. You can apply the darker makeup shade at the very top of your forehead around the hairline.

6. Blend everything

Use your foundation brush in a circular motion to blend everything well.

7. Set the look

Apply setting powder with a fluffy powder brush to set everything.