A Beginner’s Guide to Contouring and Highlighting
Contouring and highlighting have become increasingly popular in the world of makeup, with celebrities and beauty influencers showcasing their perfectly sculpted faces on social media. If you’re a beginner in the makeup world, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about and how to achieve a flawless contour and highlight. Fear not, in this beginner’s guide, we will break down the basics of contouring and highlighting to help you get started on your journey towards achieving a professionally sculpted look.
Contouring is the technique of using a darker shade of makeup to create shadows and define certain features of your face. It helps to create the illusion of more defined cheekbones, a slimmer nose, and a more chiseled jawline. On the other hand, highlighting involves using a lighter shade of makeup to bring attention to specific areas of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow. This technique adds a healthy glow and brightness to your complexion.
Before diving into the world of contouring and highlighting, it’s essential to understand your face shape. Each face shape requires a specific technique to enhance its natural features. For example, if you have a round face, you’ll want to focus on creating the illusion of more defined cheekbones and a slender jawline. Conversely, if you have an oval-shaped face, you’ll need to balance your features by adding dimension in the right places.
Once you’ve determined your face shape, it’s time to gather the necessary products. You’ll need a contour shade, which should be a matte shade that is about two to three shades darker than your skin tone. It’s crucial to avoid shimmery or bronzy shades as they may create an unnatural effect. Additionally, you’ll need a highlighting shade, which should be a light, subtle shimmer or matte shade that is about two to three shades lighter than your skin tone.
To begin contouring, take your contour shade and apply it in the hollows of your cheeks, starting from your ears and blending it towards the center of your face. It’s important to blend the product well to avoid any harsh lines. Next, lightly contour the sides of your nose to create the illusion of a slimmer shape. You can also contour along your jawline and hairline if desired. Remember, less is more. It’s better to build the product gradually than to apply too much at once.
Once you’ve completed your contour, it’s time to move on to highlighting. Take your highlighting shade and apply it to the high points of your face – the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow. This will add brightness and dimension to your complexion. Be sure to blend the product well to avoid any harsh lines and to create a seamless transition between your contour and highlight.
To complete your look, finish off with some translucent powder to set your makeup in place and give you a flawless finish. Additionally, you can add some blush to the apples of your cheeks to add a pop of color.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Contouring and highlighting may seem intimidating at first, but with time and patience, you’ll become more comfortable with the technique. Watching tutorials, experimenting with different products, and finding what works best for your face shape will help you achieve the desired results.
In conclusion, contouring and highlighting play a significant role in enhancing your natural features and creating a flawless makeup look. By familiarizing yourself with your face shape, selecting the right products, and following the step-by-step techniques, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a sculpted and radiant glow. So go ahead, grab your brushes, and start contouring and highlighting like a pro!
