Beauty

Contouring Tips

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When it comes to wearing makeup, it is not important how much you put on, and less is always more. It is more significant you know where exactly where and how to apply you makeup, especially your base. People often underestimate the power of contouring, often jumping the gun and going straight for the sparkly, shiny stuff, however the key to having a flawless face is all in the foundation you create. Now while I am personally very pro embracing and showing off your natural beauty, but lets get real, everyone has a few minor insecurities and personal hang-ups, and desires to look their polished best, when the occasion calls for it. All in all, I’m very happy my facial appearance- I love my skin tone, eye color, shape of my lips, but I have a fairly pronounced nose that I’m not mad at and I would never do anything drastically (or surgically) change it. However, with the right contouring palate, brushes, and shadowing skills, I have the ability to make it appear more petite. Also full cheeks and double chins do run in my family, but contouring facilitates in bringing out my cheekbones and camouflaging the little wobbly bits I’m paranoid about, allowing my face to appear thinner and more defined.

The blog Refinery29 named Kim Kardashian “The Patron Saint of Contouring” in a recent article, and Kim shared with readers her best contouring tips and tricks:

“I think that [you shouldn’t] go too heavy… I mean, I’ve seen photos of myself where my nose will be too contoured, and it looks tiny! I guess some makeup artists just have a style where they heavily contour a nose. I’m like, ‘Wa-wa-wait! It really looks like I got a nose job with that contouring!’ But, when I personally do my own makeup, I pretty much will only contour, and then I don’t like to wear a lot of foundation. What I’ve gotten really good at is when I go on vacation, I’ve learned how to contour my stomach with tanner [using] our spray… So, that’s kind of my trick!”

Contouring can literally magically help alter the shape of your face, allowing you to naturally bring out you best attributes and minimize flaws, all with a couple brush strokes and blending. Why go to a makeup artist, when you can provide yourself with a celebrity look, all in the comforts of your own home?

First off, you need to be sure you have all the right tools in your arsenal.
Having an angular bush will allow for more precision, and I recommend the Antonym Cosmetics Contour Brush, from Birchbox.


Get the Brush.

You should also have a reliable palate that matches your skin tone. If you are unsure about which shades best compliment you, you can always ask for assistance at your local makeup counters and beauty supply store. Your powder palate should minimally include a highlighter (the lightest shade, almost white in some cases), bronzer (a brownish shade with brighter undertones), and your contouring shade (the darkest, matte brown). For more experienced makeup experts who are looking for more variety in their palate, try the Manna Kadar Cosmetics Gold Digger Contouring Palette, from Birchbox. This palette includes the three basic powders you will need- highlighter, bronzer, and contour powder- but also includes a selection of blushes and shimmers in varying shades.


Get the Palate.

You may come across palates that will offer additional blush colors or light powder foundations, but if you are new to the contouring game, keep it simple. I’m personally a big fan of the Smashbox Step-by-Step Contouring Kit. Great for beginners, this kit comes with a helpful, easy to follow guide on how and where to contour and blend, as well as an angled brush, and the powders are super light, yet effective. I’ve also seen the shades of this palate utilized on a large range of skin shades and tones all yielding beautiful results.


Get the Palate.

For tips on how to actually apply and contour, follow this guide:


Source: http://yourstylejourney.files.wordpress.com


Source: GiveGoodFace.com

It’s also helpful to know how and where to contour, based on your individual face shape:


Source: WomenWorld.org

And don’t forget ladies, the key to contouring is knowing how to properly angle your brush and blend! Blend! Blend! If you are still hesitant on how to properly maneuver your way around a contouring palate, check out this video on how to contour in 60 seconds, courtesy of Smashbox & Sephora:

Smashbox Contouring in 60 Seconds:

Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6