Are you tired of seeing overly dramatic and heavy contouring everywhere you turn? Do you want to learn how to contour for a natural, polished look? You’re in the right place!
In this article, we’ll provide you with tips and tricks for achieving a subtle and natural-looking contour that enhances your features without looking too dramatic.
First, we’ll start with the basics of contouring, including the products and tools you’ll need to achieve a natural look. Then, we’ll discuss how to prep your skin for contouring and how to determine your face shape to contour accordingly.
We’ll also provide step-by-step instructions on applying and blending your contour products, as well as adding highlight for a subtle glow.
Finally, we’ll share some finishing touches to complete your natural, polished look. So, let’s get started!
Understanding the Basics of Contouring
If you’re new to contouring, it’s important to understand the basics before diving into more advanced techniques. Contouring is all about creating shadows and highlights to enhance your facial features. The key is to use a darker shade to create shadows and a lighter shade to highlight areas that you want to bring forward.
To start, choose a contour shade that’s two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Then, using a contour brush, apply the product to the areas of your face that you want to create shadows. These areas include the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline. Blend the product well to avoid any harsh lines.
Next, choose a highlight shade that’s two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Apply the product to areas that you want to bring forward. These include the tops of your cheekbones, the center of your forehead, and the bridge of your nose. Blend well for a natural look.
Choosing the Right Products for a Natural Look
You’ll want to make sure you have the right products to achieve that effortlessly flawless appearance. When it comes to contouring for a natural look, less is definitely more.
Instead of opting for heavy creams or powders, stick to lightweight products that blend easily into your skin. A tinted moisturizer or a BB cream with a hint of contouring pigment can do wonders in creating a subtle definition to your cheekbones and jawline.
If you prefer a powder formula, choose a sheer, buildable product that won’t leave you looking muddy or overdone. A matte bronzer that’s only a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone can be a great option for a natural-looking contour.
Remember, the key to achieving a natural look is to blend, blend, blend. Use a fluffy brush and circular motions to blend your contour into your skin seamlessly, creating a soft gradient effect.
Prepping Your Skin for Contouring
Before applying any makeup, it’s essential to properly hydrate and prime your skin to ensure a flawless base for your contour. The first step is to cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser and then apply a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Make sure to let the moisturizer absorb fully into your skin before moving on to the next step. This will prevent any excess oil or dryness from interfering with your makeup application.
Next, apply a primer to your skin. This will help to smooth out any imperfections and help your foundation and contour products to stick better. Look for a primer that is silicone-based, as this will fill in any fine lines or pores for a more even finish. Apply the primer all over your face, including your eyelids, as it will also help your eyeshadow to stay put.
With these steps, your skin will be perfectly prepped and ready for a natural-looking contour.
Finding Your Face Shape and Contouring Accordingly
Now that your skin’s prepped, it’s time to identify your face shape and contour accordingly. One of the biggest mistakes people make when contouring is not taking their face shape into consideration.
Every face shape requires a different technique to create a natural-looking contour. So, before you start contouring, take a good look at your face in the mirror and determine your face shape.
The most common face shapes are oval, round, square, heart, and diamond. If you have an oval face shape, your forehead is slightly wider than your jawline, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face. For an oval face, you want to create a subtle contour by using a shade that’s only one or two shades darker than your skin tone.
If you have a round face, your face is widest at the cheeks, and your jaw and forehead are rounded. To contour a round face, you want to create more definition by using a shade that’s two to three shades darker than your skin tone.
Applying and Blending Your Contour Products
Once you’ve determined your face shape, it’s time to seamlessly apply and blend your contour products for a flawless finish. Start by applying your contour product in the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline using a small brush or sponge. Be sure to blend out any harsh lines and blend the product upwards towards your hairline for a natural look.
Next, apply a highlight product to the high points of your face such as your cheekbones, brow bone, and nose bridge to enhance the contour and add dimension. Again, blend out any harsh lines and make sure the highlight and contour seamlessly blend together.
Remember, less is more when it comes to contouring for a natural look. With practice and patience, you’ll be able to achieve a perfectly sculpted and natural-looking face.
Adding Highlight for a Subtle Glow
Enhance your features with a subtle glow by adding highlight to the high points of your face. Choose a highlight shade that complements your skin tone and apply it to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the inner corners of your eyes, and your cupid’s bow. These areas catch the light naturally and will give you a luminous, healthy-looking finish.
When applying your highlight, make sure to blend it well with your contour to avoid harsh lines. You can use a fan brush or a small fluffy brush to apply and blend your highlight. Remember, less is more when it comes to highlight. You want to achieve a subtle glow, not a disco ball effect.
Adding a touch of highlight to your contour will give you a flawless, natural-looking finish.
Finishing Touches for a Natural, Polished Look
To achieve a polished and effortless appearance, don’t forget to add the finishing touches that will tie your look together. Start by blending out any harsh lines left from contouring and highlighting. Use a fluffy brush to lightly dust over your face and ensure that everything is seamless. This will give you a smooth and natural-looking finish that will last all day.
Next, add a touch of color to your cheeks to give your face some dimension. Use a natural-looking blush in a shade that complements your skin tone. Smile and apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending it out towards your hairline. This will give you a healthy and radiant glow that will make you look like you’re glowing from within.
With these finishing touches, you’ll achieve a natural and polished look that will leave you feeling confident and beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can contouring be done without using any makeup products?
Yes, contouring can be done without any makeup products. You can use self-tanner or bronzer to contour your face. Apply it to the areas you want to enhance, and blend it in for a natural look.
Is contouring suitable for all skin types?
Yes, contouring can be suitable for all skin types. However, it’s important to use the right shade and formula for your skin type. Oily skin may require a powder formula, while dry skin may benefit from a cream formula with hydrating ingredients.
How often should one contour their face?
To avoid overdoing it, contour your face no more than two or three times a week. However, it ultimately depends on personal preference and your skin’s sensitivity. Start with a light hand and build up gradually.
Can contouring be used to make the face look slimmer?
Yes, contouring can be used to make your face look slimmer. Use a matte bronzer or contour powder to create shadows on the areas of your face you want to slim down, like your cheeks, jawline, and forehead. Blend well for a natural look.
Are there any alternative techniques to contouring for a natural look?
Looking for an alternative technique to contouring for a natural look? Try using a tinted moisturizer or light foundation to even out your skin tone, and add a pop of color to your cheeks with a natural-looking blush.
Conclusion
So, you’ve learned the basics of contouring and how to choose the right products for a natural look. You know how to prep your skin, find your face shape, and apply and blend your contour products.
But what about adding a subtle glow with highlighter and finishing touches for a polished look? To achieve a natural contour, it’s important to remember that less is more. Use a light hand when applying your products and always blend well.
When it comes to adding highlight, focus on the high points of your face such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow. And for finishing touches, consider adding a pop of color to your cheeks with a natural-looking blush and using a setting spray to keep your makeup in place all day.
Overall, contouring can seem intimidating at first, but with these tips and tricks, you can achieve a natural, flawless look that enhances your best features. Don’t be afraid to play around with different products and techniques to find what works best for you. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be a contouring pro in no time.
