How to Contour Your Face

Hey, everybody! My last blog discussed how to highlight your face, so now I'm going to cover how to contour your face. While the purpose of highlighting is to bring out certain features that flatter, contouring is used to recess less flattering features. Make sense? When we contour, we're using cosmetics to create a shadow effect, which can give the appearance of more pronounced cheek bones, more defined jaw/chin, a thinner nose, etc. Using the same photo I used for my guide to highlighting, I've created another visual guide to contouring. I also went over the same guide to illustrate what is commonly referred to as the "3" method for contouring, which may make things easier to get the hang of, especially for beginners.

Figure 1: Contouring the temples and blending inwards toward the center of your forehead (along your hairline) can create a more flattering face shape by giving the illusion of a narrower forehead.

Figure 2: Find the apples of your cheeks, and sweep a contouring powder (or cream) along underneath the cheekbones. This will give your cheekbones definition.

 Figure 3: Apply a bronzer (contouring product) along each side of your nose to give a thinner appearance.

 Figure 4: Sweep a contour along the outside edge of your jaw, along to your chin. This thins the face.

The "3" Method: In my photo, I marked the "3" visual method. This is a method in which you contour in a way that makes a figure three. If you can trace that pattern on your face, or visualize it, then you can contour using that method. It contours the 3 primary areas on your face, which are the most helpful in shaping your face. This is also an easy way for beginners to learn how to contour.

 That's it, everyone! Sorry it took some time to get up, but I hope you find this info useful. ;-) Until next time!