How Do I Contour And Highlight My Face Correctly

0 Shares

Transform your look with the art of contouring and highlighting! If you’ve ever wondered how to achieve that perfectly sculpted face, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore the secrets to contouring and highlighting your face correctly. Whether you’re a makeup beginner or an experienced beauty enthusiast, read on to discover expert tips and techniques that will help you enhance your natural features and achieve a flawless, radiant complexion. Get ready to embrace your inner makeup artist and master the art of contouring and highlighting like a pro!

Table of Contents

Understanding the Basics of Contouring and Highlighting

What is contouring?

Contouring is a makeup technique that involves using darker shades to create shadows and add depth to specific areas of the face. By strategically placing the darker shades, you can sculpt and define your facial features, such as your cheekbones, jawline, and nose. Contouring is a great way to enhance your natural bone structure and create a more sculpted appearance.

What is highlighting?

Highlighting, on the other hand, is the opposite of contouring. It involves using lighter shades to bring forward and illuminate certain areas of the face. By applying highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow, you can create a luminous and radiant glow. Highlighting is an excellent technique for adding dimension and enhancing your overall complexion.

The relationship between contouring and highlighting

Contouring and highlighting work together to create a balanced and harmonious look. While contouring creates shadows and adds depth, highlighting brings forward and brightens certain areas. By combining these techniques, you can achieve a beautifully sculpted face with natural-looking dimension and glow. It’s important to note that contouring and highlighting should be done in moderation to avoid a heavy or unnatural appearance.

Determining Your Face Shape

Different types of face shapes

Before diving into the world of contouring and highlighting, it’s essential to determine your face shape. Face shape plays a vital role in choosing the right contouring and highlighting techniques for your specific features. Here are some common face shapes:

Oval: Oval-shaped faces are longer than they are wide, with softly rounded features.
Round: Round faces have full cheeks and a curved jawline, with the width and length being almost equal.
Square: Square faces have a strong, angular jawline, with the width of the forehead, cheeks, and jawline being relatively similar.
Heart: Heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and cheekbones, tapering down to a narrower chin.
Diamond: Diamond-shaped faces have wide cheekbones and a narrower forehead and chin.
Oblong: Oblong faces are longer and more slender, with a straighter jawline.

How to determine your face shape

To determine your face shape, you can start by pulling your hair back and looking in the mirror. Observe the proportions of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. You can also use a measuring tape to take precise measurements of your face. Pay attention to the length and width of your face, as well as the angles of your jawline. By analyzing these factors, you can discover your face shape and move forward with contouring and highlighting techniques that flatter your unique features.

Why face shape is crucial in contouring and highlighting

Understanding your face shape is crucial in contouring and highlighting because different techniques work best for different shapes. For example, if you have a round face, you would want to create more angularity and definition along your jawline and cheekbones. On the other hand, if you have a square face, you would want to soften the angles of your jawline and add more dimension to your forehead and chin. By contouring and highlighting based on your specific face shape, you can accentuate your best features and achieve a more balanced and proportionate look.

Choosing the Right Products

Types of contouring products: powder, cream, sticks, etc.

When it comes to contouring, there are various products to choose from, each offering a different level of intensity and finish. Here are some common types of contouring products:

Powder: Powder contouring products are easy to blend and provide a more natural-looking finish. They are great for beginners or those with oily skin, as they can help absorb excess oil.
Cream: Cream contouring products offer a more intense and long-lasting result. They are ideal for those with dry skin, as they provide a hydrating and dewy finish.
Sticks: Contouring sticks are convenient and easy to use, making them perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. They often come in a twist-up format, eliminating the need for brushes or sponges.
Liquid: Liquid contouring products are highly pigmented and provide a seamless and buildable coverage. They are excellent for achieving a natural-looking contour.

Choosing the right color and products for your skin type and tone

When selecting contouring products, it’s essential to consider your skin type and tone. Here are some tips to help you choose the right shades and products:

Skin type: For oily skin, opt for powder contouring products as they can help control shine. For dry skin, cream or liquid contouring products are ideal as they provide added hydration.
Skin tone: Choose contouring shades that are one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Avoid shades that are too warm or cool-toned, as they may appear unnatural. Opt for shades that have neutral undertones for a seamless blend.

Essential highlighting products

Highlighting products come in various forms, including powders, creams, and liquid illuminators. Here are some essential highlighting products to consider:

Powder highlighter: Powder highlighters are easy to use and provide a subtle glow. They come in a powder form and can be applied using a brush or a sponge.
Cream highlighter: Cream highlighters offer a more intense and dewy finish. They are excellent for creating a natural-looking radiance on the skin.
Liquid illuminator: Liquid illuminators are highly pigmented and provide a luminous and dewy effect. They can be mixed with foundation or applied directly to the high points of the face for a radiant glow.

The required Tools for Contouring and Highlighting

Types of brushes suitable for contouring

Brushes play a crucial role in achieving a seamless and blended contour. Here are some types of brushes that are suitable for contouring:

Angled brush: An angled brush is perfect for applying contouring products to specific areas, such as the cheekbones and jawline. Its angled shape allows for precise application and definition.
Fluffy brush: A fluffy brush is used for blending and diffusing the contour color, ensuring a natural-looking result. It is essential to have a fluffy brush on hand to soften any harsh lines and create a seamless blend.

Types of brushes suitable for highlighting

When it comes to highlighting, different brushes can help achieve different effects. Here are some types of brushes suitable for highlighting:

Fan brush: A fan brush is ideal for a subtle and diffused highlight. Its fan-like shape allows for a soft and feathered application, giving a natural glow to the skin.
Small tapered brush: A small tapered brush is great for precise highlighting on specific areas, such as the brow bone and cupid’s bow. Its pointed tip allows for targeted application and control.

Use of a beauty blender in contouring

A beauty blender is a versatile tool that can be used in both contouring and highlighting. Here’s how you can use a beauty blender for contouring:

Dampen the beauty blender with water and squeeze out the excess moisture.
Dip the beauty blender into the contouring product and gently dab it onto the areas you want to contour.
Use a bouncing motion to blend the product into the skin, starting from the center of the contour and moving outward.

Cleanliness and maintenance of tools

Proper cleanliness and maintenance of your contouring and highlighting tools are essential for achieving a flawless application and preventing breakouts. Here are some tips to keep your brushes and beauty blenders clean:

Clean your brushes regularly by washing them with a gentle brush cleanser or mild shampoo.
Rinse thoroughly and reshape the bristles before laying them flat to dry.
Clean your beauty blender after each use by thoroughly washing it with soap and water. Squeeze out excess water and let it air dry in a well-ventilated area.

Step-by-step Process of Contouring

Proper skin preparation

Before you begin contouring, it’s crucial to prepare your skin properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prep your skin for contouring:

Start by cleansing your face to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup residue.
Apply a moisturizer to hydrate your skin and create a smooth base for the contouring products.
Use a primer to minimize the appearance of pores and help the contouring products adhere better to your skin.
Apply a light layer of foundation or BB cream to even out your skin tone and create a uniform base.

Identifying and marking the areas for contouring

To achieve a well-defined contour, it’s important to identify and mark the areas on your face that you want to contour. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Cheekbones: Use a brush or your fingers to feel for the natural hollows of your cheekbones. Apply the contouring product just below the cheekbones and blend upwards towards the temple.
Jawline: Trace along your jawline to add definition and create a more sculpted look. Apply the contouring product along the jawline and blend downwards towards the neck.
Nose: To create the illusion of a slimmer nose, apply the contouring product to the sides of your nose and blend well. Avoid applying too much product to prevent an unnatural appearance.
Forehead: If you want to minimize the size of your forehead, apply the contouring product along the hairline and blend towards the center of the forehead.

Proper blending techniques

Blending is the key to achieving a seamless and natural-looking contour. Here are some techniques to help you blend your contouring products effectively:

Use a fluffy brush or a beauty blender to blend the contouring product into your skin.
Use a light hand and make small circular motions to blend the product. Start from the areas where you applied the most product and work your way outwards.
Make sure to blend any harsh lines or edges to create a soft and diffused contour.

Mistakes to avoid during the contouring process

Contouring can be a bit tricky, especially for beginners. Here are some common mistakes to avoid during the contouring process:

Applying too much product: Start with a light hand and gradually build up the intensity of the contour. Applying too much product can make your contour look heavy and unnatural.
Using the wrong shade: Choose a contouring shade that is only one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Using a shade that is too dark can create an unflattering contrast.
Neglecting to blend: Proper blending is essential for a seamless and natural-looking contour. Take the time to blend your contouring products well to avoid any harsh lines or patches.

Step-by-step Process of Highlighting

Identifying the areas for highlighting

To achieve a luminous and radiant glow, it’s important to identify the areas on your face that you want to highlight. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Cheekbones: Apply the highlighter to the highest point of your cheekbones, following their natural curve. This will create a lifted and youthful effect.
Brow bone: Highlighting the brow bone can help define and lift the eyebrows. Apply the highlighter just below the arch of your eyebrows and blend well.
Cupid’s bow: Apply a small amount of highlighter to your cupid’s bow, the V-shaped area above your upper lip. This will give the illusion of fuller and more defined lips.
Bridge of the nose: To create a more sculpted and defined nose, apply highlighter down the center of your nose, starting from the bridge and extending towards the tip.

Applying the highlighter

Once you’ve identified the areas for highlighting, it’s time to apply the highlighter. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply highlighter:

Use a small tapered brush or a fan brush to apply the highlighter to the desired areas.
Start with a small amount of product and gradually build up the intensity for a more natural-looking glow.
Lightly sweep the highlighter onto the areas, making sure to blend well for a seamless finish.

Blending for a natural finish

Just like with contouring, blending is crucial for a natural and radiant highlight. Here are some tips for blending your highlighter:

Use a fluffy brush or a beauty blender to blend the highlighter into your skin.
Use a light hand and make soft, sweeping motions to blend the product. Start from the areas where you applied the most highlighter and work your way outwards.
Blend any harsh lines or edges to create a soft and diffused highlight.

Mistakes to avoid during the highlighting process

Highlighting may seem straightforward, but there are some common mistakes to avoid for the best results. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Applying too much product: Start with a small amount of highlighter and build it up gradually. Applying too much product can create an overly intense and unnatural glow.
Using the wrong shade: Choose a highlighter shade that complements your skin tone. Avoid shades that are too cool-toned or too warm-toned, as they can look harsh or artificial.
Neglecting to blend: Proper blending is essential for a seamless and natural-looking highlight. Take the time to blend your highlighter well to avoid any harsh lines or patches.

How Contouring and Highlighting Work Together

Balancing contouring and highlighting effects

Contouring and highlighting work together to create a balanced and harmonious look. When done correctly, contouring adds depth and definition to specific areas, while highlighting brings forward and illuminates others. By finding the right balance between contouring and highlighting, you can create a sculpted face with a radiant glow.

Achieving a seamless blend

To achieve a seamless blend between contouring and highlighting, proper blending techniques are essential. Take the time to blend your contouring and highlighting products well, making sure to eliminate any harsh lines or edges. A soft and diffused blend will create a natural-looking transition between the shaded and illuminated areas of your face.

Perfecting the transition between both techniques

The key to a natural-looking contour and highlight is to ensure a smooth transition between both techniques. Here’s how you can perfect the transition:

Blend your contouring and highlighting products well to create a seamless and blended effect.
Pay attention to the areas where the contour and highlight meet, making sure they blend seamlessly into each other.
Use a fluffy brush or a beauty blender to soften any harsh lines or edges, creating a gradual and natural transition.

Tips and Tricks for a Natural Look

How to enhance your natural features rather than changing them

Contouring and highlighting should enhance your natural features, rather than completely changing them. Here are some tips to achieve a natural look:

Start with a light hand and gradually build up the intensity of the contour and highlight.
Focus on enhancing your best features, such as your cheekbones or brow bone, rather than trying to reshape your entire face.
Use shades and products that match your natural skin tone, avoiding anything too drastic or contrasting.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

To achieve a flawless contour and highlight, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Applying too much product: Start with a light hand and gradually build up the intensity to avoid a heavy or cakey look.
Using the wrong shades: Choose contouring and highlighting shades that complement your skin tone to achieve a natural result.
Neglecting to blend: Proper blending is key to a seamless and natural-looking result. Take the time to blend well to avoid any harsh lines or patches.

Creating a daytime vs nighttime look

Contouring and highlighting can be adjusted based on the occasion and time of day. Here’s how you can create a daytime and nighttime look:

Daytime look: Opt for a more subtle and natural contour and highlight during the day. Stick to lighter shades and a lighter hand for a soft and radiant look.
Nighttime look: For a more glamorous and dramatic look, you can intensify your contour and highlight. Use deeper shades and build up the intensity for a more sculpted and radiant effect.

Advanced Techniques for Contouring and Highlighting

Contouring for a more exaggerated look

For those who want to take their contouring to the next level, there are advanced techniques to create a more exaggerated look. Here are some techniques to consider:

Extreme contouring: Use a darker shade and deepen the shadows to add more depth and definition. Focus on specific areas, such as the cheekbones, nose, and jawline, for a more sculpted effect.
Cut-crease contouring: This technique involves creating a sharp line along the crease of the eye to add depth and create the illusion of a deeper-set eye.

Dramatic highlighting techniques

In addition to advanced contouring techniques, there are also ways to create more dramatic highlighting effects. Here are a few techniques to try:

Strobing: Strobing involves applying a generous amount of highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and nose. This technique creates a high-impact glow and luminosity.
Halo highlighting: Halo highlighting involves applying highlighter to the center of your face, such as the forehead, bridge of the nose, and chin. This creates a radiant and halo-like effect, drawing attention to the center of your face.

Different methods used by makeup artists

Makeup artists often have their own unique techniques when it comes to contouring and highlighting. Here are a few methods used by professionals:

Draping: Draping involves using blush to create soft contours and define the cheekbones. By layering different shades of blush, you can achieve a sculpted and flushed look.
Reverse contouring: Reverse contouring involves using lighter shades to sculpt and define certain areas, while using subtle contouring techniques to create depth and shadow.

Maintaining Your Contoured and Highlighted Look

Setting your makeup so it lasts

To ensure that your contouring and highlighting last all day, it’s important to set your makeup. Here’s how you can set your makeup for long-lasting results:

After applying your contour and highlight, use a translucent setting powder to set your makeup.
Lightly dust the powder over your entire face, focusing on the areas where you have applied contour and highlight. This will help prevent smudging and ensure longevity.

Touching up your makeup throughout the day

Throughout the day, your contour and highlight may fade or need touching up. Here are some tips for touch-ups:

Carry a small powder brush or a beauty sponge with you to blend and reapply powder or cream products throughout the day.
Take a few minutes to touch up your contour and highlight, paying attention to any areas where the product has faded or rubbed off.

Removing makeup at the end of the day

At the end of the day, it’s important to properly remove your makeup to allow your skin to breathe and regenerate. Here’s how you can remove your contour and highlight:

Start by using a makeup remover or cleansing oil to gently dissolve and remove the contouring and highlighting products.
Rinse your face with warm water to remove any residue, and follow with a gentle cleanser to fully cleanse and refresh your skin.
Finish off with a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish your skin after removing your makeup.

By following these steps and techniques, you can master the art of contouring and highlighting. Remember to practice and experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you. With time and patience, you’ll be able to achieve a beautifully sculpted face with a natural glow.