When applying makeup, contouring is an optional element, but it can greatly affect the final result. It seems complicated at first, but the process is actually quite simple. Once you have decided which parts of the face to light up and which to darken, apply the highlighter and the bronzer will be a breeze.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Choosing Powder Products and Applicators
Step 1. Determine if you have warm or cool undertones
Look at the veins in the wrist. If they are green, you have a warm undertone. If they are blue, you have a cool undertone. There is another way to understand what your undertone is. See if you tan easily or if you tend to get burned. In the first case, it is likely that you have a warm undertone, while in the second it is possible that it is cold.
It is important to be aware of your undertone. If this feature is ignored, you risk finding yourself with an ashy or yellowish makeup
Step 2. Choose a contouring kit that suits your undertone
Some brands sell specific contouring kits for warm or cool undertones. In this case, buy a suitable product. If the box does not give any indication in this regard, we recommend a kit in shades of yellow in case you have a warm undertone and a kit with pink tones in case of cold undertone.
- Golden and bronze tones enhance a warm undertone.
- Beige or brown shades, such as mahogany and hazelnut, are more suitable for a cool undertone.
- Many contouring kits suit both warm and cool undertones.
- You should also consider whether you have light, medium or dark skin. Using an excessively dark palette will create an artificial effect.
Step 3. Make sure the highlighter and bronzer are right for your complexion
The highlighter must be two tones lighter than the complexion, while the earth should be two tones darker. Contouring kits are often fine for most people. However, if this is not the case, the products must be purchased separately.
Step 4. If you can't find the right kit, please buy the products separately
Contouring palettes are nothing more than kits containing pressed powders that are a few shades lighter or darker than a certain complexion. Essentially, this means you can use any type of pressed powder (like foundation or blush), as long as it works for your skin tone and undertone.
- The pigmentation of eye shadows tends to be more intense than other powders, so these cosmetics are more difficult to work with. If you use an eyeshadow, choose a matte tone for the shadows and a matte or iridescent tone to highlight.
- Do not use loose powders. Prefer pressed ones, as they are easier to apply.
Step 5. Do not apply bronzer or highlighter to the nose
Since they are iridescent, these products do not allow you to create a natural shade. Although it is possible to apply them on the cupid's bow or on the cheekbones, it is best to avoid using them on areas that tend to shine, such as the nose.
Applying the highlighter on the nose will make it even more shiny
Step 6. Get a good range of clean, natural bristle brushes specifically for powders
Natural bristle brushes are best, but you can use others as well, as long as they are soft. Prepare a good selection of small, medium and large brushes. For this procedure we particularly recommend those for blush and angled (designed for contouring).
- Do not use stiff or synthetic bristle brushes, such as lipstick or foundation brushes.
- If the powders have a creamy texture, try using a make-up sponge or beauty blender instead.
Part 2 of 5: Apply the Makeup Base
Step 1. To begin, make sure your face is clean, toned and hydrated
Wash it off using lukewarm water and a cleanser suitable for your skin type. Pat it dry with a clean towel, then pat a toner. Finally, apply a moisturizer.
- Before proceeding, make sure your skin has absorbed the moisturizer.
- People who have oily skin should also use a moisturizer. However, make sure that the product is suitable for oily skin.
Step 2. If desired, apply a face primer
Although not strictly necessary, the primer allows you to fill in pores and wrinkles. By smoothing the skin, it facilitates the application of foundation.
Step 3. Apply your favorite foundation and concealer
Choose a foundation that suits your complexion and undertone. Apply it using your preferred method (such as a sponge, a brush or your fingers). Make sure you blend it well and let it dry.
If you want to use concealer, apply it now. Remember to blend it
Step 4. Finish applying makeup as you wish, but don't contour
You can use cosmetics such as lipsticks, brow products, eye shadows, eyeliner and mascara. You can use them all or exclude some for a more natural effect.
- If you prefer a more natural result, comb your brows and use a conditioner or lip gloss instead of lipstick.
- When planning to contour, avoid using blush.
Step 5. Set your makeup with translucent powder
When putting on make-up, liquid products should be applied to liquid ones, while powdered products should be applied to powdered ones. Setting the foundation with powder not only helps keep makeup intact, it creates a smooth surface that will allow the powders to adhere better.
Part 3 of 5: Apply the Highlighter
Step 1. Try to bring out your natural features
The contouring technique is not universal. In fact, every single face has a different shape. Some people only contour on the nose, while others prefer to focus on the jaw.
- Contouring helps to harmonize the features and to enhance the parts of the face that you prefer.
- Contouring the nose is optional, but it is best to avoid doing this technique on only one part of the face, as the result may be unnatural.
Step 2. Observe which parts of the face the light naturally falls on
Again, consider that each face has its own peculiarities. In a well-lit room, mirror yourself to observe the natural lights and shadows of the face. These are the areas where the illuminant and the earth must be applied.
Step 3. To revive the complexion, apply the highlighter on the cheekbones
Identify the points on the cheekbones where the light falls. Alternatively, the cheekbones can be identified by sucking in the cheeks. Apply the highlighter to the cheekbones using a medium or large brush. Blend the powder upwards, towards the eyes. This will brighten the area under the eyes and highlight the cheekbones.
If you have particularly prominent cheekbones, focus instead on the central area of the face, under the eyes and around the sides of the nose
Step 4. Apply the highlighter to your forehead and blend it
Apply it to the center of the forehead, between the eyebrows, with a medium or large brush. Blend it out by making upward radiating movements. Make sure you blend it into your eyebrows as well.
Focus mainly on the center of the forehead. Do not apply the highlighter to the temples or hairline
Step 5. Highlight the bridge of the nose with a thin brush
Take an eyeshadow brush, then rotate it, orienting the bristles vertically. This way you will get a fine line. Draw a thin line in the center of the nose from top to bottom. Blend it up and down on the side edges of the nose using a clean brush.
- If you have a wide nose and want to make it thinner, draw a thinner line. In this case, a sharp eye crease brush is recommended.
- Applying the highlighter on the nose is optional.
Step 6. Finally, apply the highlighter to your chin
Dab a thin layer of highlighter on the chin using a medium brush. Blend it out by making large, light strokes with the brush. This trick is recommended for those with a small or weak chin. If it is large or prominent, skip this step.
Step 7. Apply the highlighter to other areas you want to stand out
For example, if you have a poorly defined jaw, you could apply it to this area. Some people also like to put it on Cupid's bow with an eyeliner brush.
Part 4 of 5: Apply the Bronzer
Step 1. Look at the natural shadows of the face
Also in this case it is good to remember that every face is different. In a well-lit room, mirror yourself to observe the light and dark areas of the face. It is in these areas that you will need to apply the highlighter and bronzer.
If you have dark skin, it is possible that the highlighter creates a contrast noticeable enough to make the use of the bronzer unnecessary
Step 2. Apply the bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks to make them thin
Use a medium brush to apply the powder in the hollows of the cheeks, under the highlighter, leaving some space between the products. In fact, a small empty space must be left on the cheek to be able to blend the bronzer at a later time. Focus on the area closest to the ear. Apply the bronzer lightly, blending it more and more as you get closer to your mouth.
- If you have particularly prominent cheekbones or sunken cheeks, then there is no need to contour this area.
- Don't worry about fading for now - you will eventually.
- If you have a hard time finding the grooves in your cheeks, try sucking them in.
Step 3. If desired, apply the bronzer to the forehead
Using a medium brush, apply it to the upper part of the face, along the hairline and temples. Guided by following the natural shadows of the face. Blend it along the hairline, towards the middle of the forehead.
- If you have a small forehead, you probably don't have a lot of shadows at the top, so don't do this. Remember that your goal should be to enhance your natural features after all.
- To achieve an androgynous look, create more angled and prominent shadows on the temples.
Step 4. If desired, apply the bronzer to the jaw to thin it
Using a medium brush, apply it to the edge of the jaw: it should be placed exactly above the highlighter (if you used it). This is an effective way to thin the jaw and make it visibly more angular.
Step 5. Brush your nose by applying the bronzer on the sides
Draw a thin line of bronzer on each side of the bridge of the nose (next to the highlighter) using a thin brush. Leave some room for blending. Blend the bronzer outwards instead of towards the highlighter.
- Do not apply the bronzer all over the nose, otherwise the result will be excessive. Better to draw only a thin line and blend it.
- Do not blend the bronzer on the nostrils. Instead, bring it down to the part that is under the tip of the nose.
Step 6. Contour the other areas you want
Guided with the help of the shadows that form naturally on the face. For example, if shadows form under the lips or around the chin, apply the bronzer to these areas. Some people like to draw a thin line in the center of the upper lip as well.
Step 7. Blend the bronzer until all lines and hard edges are removed
To start, run a clean, coarse-bristled brush along the edges where the highlighter and bronzer meet. Then, if necessary, blend the shadows outwards instead of towards the highlighter. For example, if you applied bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, blend it down. Use a large brush for large areas (such as the forehead) and a small brush for less extensive areas (such as the nose).
For small areas, such as the center of the lips, just pass a clean brush on the affected area to blend it
Part 5 of 5: Complete the trick
Step 1. Apply a thin layer of setting powder to the T-zone
Use a clean powder brush with coarse bristles to lightly dust the entire face with translucent powder. Focus on the areas that tend to grease the most, especially the nose, forehead and chin.
Step 2. Soften sharp lines by applying larger amounts of setting powder
If you find that you have gone too far with the bronzer in some areas, give it a generous dusting of translucent fixing powder. Let it sit for a few minutes, then brush off any excess with a brush.
Step 3. If necessary, touch up with the highlighter
Look at the face in the mirror from different angles. If you think some areas require more highlighter, apply an iridescent one. For example, you could put it on the bridge of the nose or on the cheekbones.
- Remember to use an appropriately sized brush for these areas.
- At this point the trick will be done. If you wish, you can apply a thin layer of face powder or setting spray.
Advice
- Apply less bronzer than you think is necessary. It is easier to dose it gradually than to remove it.
- If you have gone too far with the bronzer, you can tone it down with a veil of pressed powder the same color as your skin.
- If you don't want to do full makeup, apply the bronzer to the foundation and powder you use every day.
- Let yourself be guided by the natural lights and shadows of the face. Each face is different.
- Remember that the key is not to overdo it.
