How to Contour 101

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Who doesn’t love to contour? To be honest I was intimated when contouring first came out. How to contour was a question I found myself asking. After about a year of contouring and playing with different methods I have finally found a perfect way to contour that works best for me. Hubby doesn’t like a lot of makeup and likes the ‘au natural’ look, so after many trials and errors I have mastered a natural look by enhancing my features but without overdoing it- something that can easily be done when contouring.

I already have foundation and concealer under my eyes, my eye makeup and eyebrows are already done as well. I always do my eyes first, that way if I have any eyeshadow that falls on my face it’s an easy clean up and I don’t have to worry about fixing my foundation.

Now on to highlighting- you want to highlight the part of your face where the light naturally hits. I use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (in ‘CHANTILLY’) and blend it with the beauty blender. I blend out and away from my eyes, blend up and away on my forehead, and blend downard on my chin.

Now on to contouring: I like to use the IT Cosemetics Brightening face disk for my contouring, blush, highlight powder.  You want to contour underneath your cheekbones, hairline, sides of your nose, and underneath your neck. You’re creating illusions and shadows to play up your features. Less is more here, start off with a little bit and you can always work your way up and build with more product.
Note: I would suggest staying away form shimmery bronzers. That would defeat the purpose of contouring and adding shadow.

Once I have finished with highlighting and contouring I use the Laura Mercier setting powder to keep things put.

Last but not least: Blush and highlighting, I will say it again less is more here. You can always build your product, so start off with a little. First add blush to the apples of your cheeks then, highlight powder goes above your brows, cupids bow, and above your cheekbones, you can add what’s left on your brush on the bridge of your nose.

Tada! Now you are all done and good to go. Once you get the hang of things, this becomes super easy and super duper fast. I have linked all the products I use below. Only thing is the ‘M.A.C’ brushes are dupes I bought from eBay a long time ago. They are not the best of the bunch, but they work fine for now.  I HIGHLY recommend ITCosmetic Brushes or Sigma Brushes. Both are worth every penny.

Stay tuned this week for all things beauty! Happy Monday! Be sure to check out more beauty posts before you go!