In this post you'll see some less than attractive pictures of me badly photoshopped to explain the basic idea of blush, contour, and highlight... ENJOY!
Contour Oval
First off, What is contouring?
Contouring uses shading to create a specific shape and enhance features with makeup, but it isn't one size fits all.
If you've googled "how to contour" I am sure you've seen the hundreds of videos slapping on cream product all over the face and then blending it into a "perfect contour" but I want to break it down a little more.
The "ideal" face shape is Oval which is an easy way to look at contouring your own face.
Imagine your facial features in an oval (as seen in that flattering picture to the right) and anything not in that oval is a general guide to where to contour. Once you've visualized your oval place your contour brush on the edge of your face and blend your contour color inward toward your facial features. Everyones will be slightly different depending on their face shape but it gives a more defined look to their face.
This works as a base to contouring, you can leave it as is or add more depending. Some may chisel their cheek bones to create the illusion of higher cheek bones. Others may shade under their bottom lip to make them look plumper. Currently nose contouring is popular, which is like a wash off nose job.
Put it all together and what do you get?
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| Color Key: Yellow = Highlight Pink = Blush Orangey Brown = Bronzer Darker Brown = Contour |
A full face... duh.
There is not a "Right Way" to apply blush, bronzer, highlight, etc but there are ways that tend to be more flattering than others.
On the right is a picture of the basic application of each face product.
The highlight in this case it NOT a shimmer highlight but a brighter concealer or foundation to add dimension and work with the contour to create a chiseled affect. You can add a shimmer or glowing highlight to all of these areas to create a glow.
The blush placement is where I like to place blush because it helps creating a lifting look to the face, but it can be placed more on the apples of the cheek if wanted, which can add a youthful touch. I do recommend that mature faces keep away from blushing the apples of their cheeks because it can drag your face down and age you.
Bronzer isn't used to contour, but more of a way to warm up your face and create a healthy sun kissed glow without the damage to your skin.
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| Most days in the summer I wear Bronzer, Blush, and Highlight on my cheeks only and bronze my forehead slightly. |
Now do you need all of this?
Short Answer... No. Not at all. As time goes on you find what you like your face to look at. I suggest taking this as a guide to where to place each product and blend it to make it look like natural contours of your face. Personally I do not really contour my nose, but I do bathe myself in highlighter and blush.
QUICK TIP: Always place your brush on the spot of your face where you want the most color. This applies to face products and eyeshadow, then blend from the that spot to defuse the color
Remember, it's just makeup. If you don't like it, wash it off and start again.
