This gorgeous picture of Trina, shot by celebrity photographer Michael-Antonio as part of a series on female rappers, is proof that you can have a beat face while using very little products and not even much color. All with some contouring.
The main idea behind contouring is to use darker shades to recede certain areas of the face and lighter ones to highlight others. When using contours and highlights, the general notion is to transform the face into the “ideal” shapes—almond for the eyes and oval for the face. The reason these are considered ideal is based on their symmetry. So basically if you have a rounder face, you’ll use contours on the more round areas and highlights to bring out high points like the cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
To get a contour look, gather the following:
* A stick foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone
* A stick foundation, matte blush, concealer, etc. that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone
* A stick foundation, matte blush, concealer, etc. that is 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone
* A shimmery eyeshadow that’s about the same shade as your skin tone
* A very light shimmery eyeshadow that’s 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone
* A matte eyeshadow about 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone
* A dark eyeliner
* Peach blush
* Nude lip color
How to do it…
Eyes:
Use the lighter foundation stick or concealer under the brow bone to create a more natural looking brow highlight. Be sure to blend with a concealer brush or the edge of a makeup wedge so there are no harsh lines. Apply the darker contour shade in the crease using a fluffy eyeshadow brush and a back and forth sweeping motion—almost like a windshield wiper. Dot the lighter shimmery eyeshadow in the corners of the eyes and if you wish under the bottom lash line using a pencil brush like MAC 219. Then apply the shimmery eyeshadow close to your skin tone on the bottom portion of the lid and gently blend being careful not to leave harsh lines but also not “muddying” the area where two colors meet. Line the eyes and apply mascara.
Cheeks:
Using the lighter foundation stick or concealer apply along the tops of the cheekbones. Make a “fish face” to find the hollows of your cheeks and using a fluffy angled brush apply the darker shade. Apply a peach blush (looks great on all shades of brown) to the apples of the cheeks and then carefully blend so there are no harsh lines but again being careful not to “muddy” the area where two colors meet.
Face:
Decide which areas of your face need to recede (normally the perimeter of the face and jaw line) and take a large fluffy blush and dust the darker makeup shade along this area.
The most important part of this? Practice, practice, practice. On a lazy Saturday afternoon, look yourself in a well-lit bathroom and get to it. Check out your using natural daylight or by snapping a few pics.
~Danielle
December 1, 2010 10:56 am
Thank you for this article. I have yet to master the art of contouring. Part of me wants to blame the products, but at the end of the day I know its my technique, or lack thereof. One time, I practiced contouring on my little sister and she came out looking like she got hit in the face with a mud pie. I will definitely use this article as a guide next time I am practicing contouring.
December 1, 2010 12:59 pm
Great article. Its amazing how contouring transforms facial features. This will certainly come in handy. BangleAddict.com
December 1, 2010 1:20 pm
I think contouring can look great if done right, but sadly most of the contouring I see looks unblended. Monique and Trina are perfect example, whenever their faces contoured, I can really see the contouring lines! Isn’t it supposed to blend?
I just rarely see a contouring job that is blended well.
December 1, 2010 1:28 pm
I’m still trying to master contouring my cheeks! I’m not gonna give up though.
December 1, 2010 1:57 pm
rihanna uses contouring all the time…kim k too u should show pics of theirs cuz its good examples
December 1, 2010 2:38 pm
Excellent article!!! ive been trying to master the art of contouring for a bit now.
I’m on the edge of something semi-amazing…
December 1, 2010 2:57 pm
thank you so much for this i can’t wait to practice this weekend!!
December 1, 2010 5:55 pm
This is a great article! I’ve been wondering how I can step-up my make-up game with contouring.
December 1, 2010 7:53 pm
good article
December 2, 2010 2:24 pm
Yeeesssss I’ve been needing to read a post on contouring!
Sweet post!
December 2, 2010 10:26 pm
i’m still trying to master contouring. and i never like trina’s makeup, especially her eyebrows. like other’s said, i think kim k does some of the best contouring.
January 7, 2011 2:12 pm
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March 1, 2011 12:32 pm
[...] Contouring and highlighting is a great way to “sculpt” the face that allows you to decrease the appearance of a facial feature or play it up. It’s done by using a contour (a foundation stick, blush, eyeshadow, etc. about 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone) and a highlight (a foundation stick, blush, eyeshadow, luminizer, etc. about 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone. You place the contour on areas you want to recede (or make smaller or “less obvious”) and you place the highlight on areas you want to reflect light (or make more prominent). For instance, if you want to fake prominent cheekbones, you’d apply the contour to the hollows of the cheeks and the highlight to the apples. [...]
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May 25, 2013 10:43 pm
I try to contour, especially my nose to make it a bit more narrow. It helps out a lot and I’m getting better at it.