Makeup 101: The Power Of Contouring

   There are so many tricks of the trade when it comes to makeup artistry. The face is a blank canvas, the makeup is the paint, and the brush, well it's a brush! You can create whatever look you want on any given day. You can even create illusions which is pretty genius if you ask me. Higher cheekbones? A slimmer nose? A defined jawline? Defined eyes? With a stroke of a brush, you can create it all. It's not necessarily about changing one's appearance, it's about enhancing your features, and creating a balanced look. Keep in mind, every face and feature is different. So what I may choose to highlight and define, might not be the same for the next person. It's important to know your face, and choose what you wish to contour. For example, if you know you already have a slim nose, it really isn't necessary to highlight and define that feature.

   I first learned about contouring a few years ago from a YouTube tutorial. I was so fascinated, I continued to do research to learn more on the subject. Then I started experimenting on my face until I got the hang of it. There are a multitude of products you can use to contour. I have a few contouring palettes which are great to have. However, for my daily routine, my go-to products are: concealers, blush, highlighter, and bronzer. 

   I created a few visual aids to help show you the bare bones of makeup contouring. There are many intricate techniques, but you really only need to know the basics for day to day looks. To begin, you apply your foundation as you normally would. Then you can grab your favorite concealer, and get ready to start the fun!

1) You can start out by contouring the nose. Grab the same concealer you use under your eyes since it is usually a shade or two lighter than your foundation. Using a makeup brush, or your finger, draw a straight line down the bridge of your nose, stopping just before the tip. With a darker concealer, bronzer, or using the dark shade from your contour palette, lightly define the sides of your nose. This will create the illusion of a slimmer, pointier nose. 

2) Next, you can define your eyes. First conceal your under eye area as you normally would, extending the concealer out towards your temples. Using your light concealer or a highlighter (shimmer or matte, whichever you choose), you want to swipe some right on your brow bone. This will lift and widen your eyes. This trick especially comes in handy on those days when you haven't exactly had your 8 hours of sleep. Defining your eyes will instantly wake you up, making you appear refreshed and ready to conquer your day. 

3) The cheekbones/cheeks are one of the crucial features on one's face. A well defined cheekbone, or blushed cheek apple will help to frame the face perfectly. If you are looking to define your cheekbones, take your lighter concealer shade, starting from the corner of your mouth, brush upwards staying underneath the natural cheekbone line. Then using your bronzer, draw a line right above where you just highlighted. This is right under the cheekbone. Doing this will define the bone, making it stand out. Take your blush and your blush brush, and apply as you normally would. If it helps to suck your cheeks in during this process, go right ahead! 

  If you are not the kind of girl that prefers to blush the apples of your cheeks, simply smile and blush the rounds of your cheeks. 

   There are so many other parts of the face and body that can be contoured and highlighted. Whenever I am wearing something that accentuates my shoulders I like to sweep some bronzer across my collarbone to highlight my neckline and broad shoulders.  If you are interested in me showing you more contouring tricks, please do not hesitate to let me know.

   Here's a closer look at some of the products I use to highlight and contour. 

- The blush is by AVON 

- The highlighter pencil is by Chella (one of my favorite products!)

- Wet n Wild Mega Glow is surprisingly amazing for blush, and contouring. 

- Benefit Watts Up is great for highlighting the browbone.

- Pixi Bronzer is great for not only creating the perfectly sun-kissed look, but great for contouring and defining. It's very soft and subtle. 

- My favorite concealers are Extra-Lasting Concealer by AVON, and Color Stay by Revlon. 

- The contour palette (previously pictured) is by Coastal Scents.

  To finalize your look, using a finishing powder and a blending brush, dust the powder across your face. This will lock in your look. Apply your favorite eyeshadow, eye liner, brow filler, lipstick/gloss, mascara, and you are ready to go! I hope this was both enjoyable and helpful for you. 

Stay Glam, 

Christina 

Xoxoxo