Contouring and highlighting is a technique that uses shading to enhance and define facial features. Applying makeup in the right way can help you enhance your cheekbones and make your face appear slimmer. Here are some tips on how to get a contoured look at home.
The first step is to choose the right products. You will need a matte shading cream or powder and a highlighter. Creams can be patted with your fingers and create a smooth appearance, while powders can create a softer contour. It is important not to mix product types. Use either all creams or all powders. Using different types of products can give you a caked-on appearance.
When choosing products, consider your skin tone. You don’t want to choose a product that is too different from your natural skin color. If you have fair skin, use a cream or powder one shade darker. Try a formula with a graying cast. Avoid anything too red or orange. A pearly highlighter works well with fair skin, while a warmer golden highlighter looks better with a medium or dark complexion. Avoid anything sparkly.
If you are using creams, smooth them with your fingers. The heat will melt the makeup and make it blend seamlessly. If you are using a powder, blend it with a brush that has soft, natural bristles.
To highlight your cheekbones, suck in your cheeks to find the hollows and then shade along and just beneath the hollows, working from the top inward and stopping an inch from the corners of your mouth. Use your fingers or a sponge to blend. To make your nose look slimmer, blend cream or powder from your brows along the sides of the bridge of your nose with a small shadow brush.
Use highlighter sparingly. Lightly coat three fingers and then dab them on the same fingers on your other hand. Tap your fingers on your cheekbones, brow bone, the center of your chin, and the tip of your nose.
Take the shape of your face into account when contouring. If you have a round face, you can make it appear smaller by contouring under your cheekbones. If you have a narrow face, you can soften your features and make it appear more rounded by shading along the top of your forehead and on your chin.
The most important step is blending. Use a sponge to blend cream or a fluffy brush with natural fibers to blend powder. Hold your brush lightly near the end of the handle.
Finish the look with blush. If you have fair skin, use a creamy soft peach or pink. For a darker complexion, use a soft plum color. Blend a cream on the apples of your cheeks to create a natural, finished look.