Beginner's Guide to Contouring: Tips and Tricks for a Sculpted Look
Contouring is a makeup technique that uses shadows and highlights to sculpt and define the face, enhancing your natural features and creating a more defined look. While it might seem intimidating at first, mastering the basics of contouring is easier than you think. This beginner contouring guide will break down the process into simple, easy-to-follow steps, providing you with essential tips and tricks to achieve a beautifully sculpted look. Whether you're a makeup novice or simply looking to refine your contouring skills, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to begin your journey to a more defined and sculpted look.
Understanding the Basics of Contouring
Before we dive into the practical steps, it’s crucial to understand the core principles of contouring. Contouring is not about creating a drastically different face shape, but rather enhancing your natural features and creating a more defined appearance. Knowing these principles will be invaluable to your beginner contouring guide.
Shadows and Highlights
Contouring relies on the principle of using shadows to recede areas and highlights to bring areas forward. By strategically applying darker shades in areas you want to recede and lighter shades in areas you want to enhance, you can create a more sculpted and defined look.
The Rule of Thumb
The general rule of thumb is to apply contour in areas where natural shadows fall on your face, such as under your cheekbones, along your jawline, and at the temples. Use this as a starting point and see how it works on your face.
Blending is Key
Blending is crucial when contouring. Without proper blending, your makeup can look harsh and unnatural. The goal is to create a seamless transition between your contour and highlight, ensuring that your makeup looks soft and natural.
Understanding Face Shapes
Different face shapes require slightly different contouring techniques. Knowing your face shape can help you apply your contour in the most flattering way. Some common face shapes are round, square, heart, oval and oblong.
Natural vs. Dramatic Contouring
Contouring can be done in a natural way, using subtle shades to enhance your natural bone structure, or more dramatically, using deeper shades to create a more intense and sculpted look. You can adjust the amount of product used depending on the look you want to create.
Essential Tools and Products for Contouring
Before you start, make sure you have the right tools and products on hand. These will ensure that you can properly implement this beginner contouring guide and create the perfect look:
Contour Product
Choose a contour product that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone and has a matte finish. You can choose from powder, cream, or liquid formulations depending on your preference and skin type. Powder is a great option for beginners as it is easier to blend and more forgiving. Choose a shade that is slightly cool toned rather than warm toned to create the most realistic shadow.
Highlight Product
Select a highlight product that is one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone and can be matte or shimmer depending on your preference. You can choose from a powder, cream or liquid formulation. Powder highlighter is great for beginners as it is easier to blend and control. Choose a shade that complements your natural skin tone, and avoid shades that are too glittery or shimmery for a more natural look.
Contour Brush
A contour brush should have an angled shape with soft, flexible bristles. This will allow you to apply the product precisely and blend it seamlessly. Choose a high quality brush that can easily be used to blend the product.
Highlight Brush
A highlight brush should have soft, fluffy bristles that allow for precise application and smooth blending. You can also use a smaller brush for more focused highlight application. Choose a high quality brush that will make applying your highlighter easier.
Blending Sponge
A damp blending sponge can be used to blend all products together and create a seamless finish. This is a must have for any makeup routine and is essential for a natural look.
Optional Products
- Bronzer: A bronzer is a great addition to your routine if you want to add warmth to your skin. Choose a shade that has a warm undertone and is only a couple of shades darker than your skin tone.
- Setting Powder: To set your contour and highlight, which prevents creasing and ensures the products last longer. Choose a colour that matches your natural skin tone.
Step-by-Step Contouring Guide for Beginners
Now, let’s walk through a step-by-step beginner contouring guide that will help you achieve a sculpted look:
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Start with a clean and moisturised face. Apply your foundation or tinted moisturizer as usual, creating a smooth base for your contour.
Step 2: Identify the Areas to Contour
Use your fingers or a mirror to identify the natural shadows on your face. These areas should be the first areas that you contour.
Step 3: Apply Contour Under Your Cheekbones
Using your contour brush, apply your contour product directly under your cheekbone, starting near your ear and blending towards the centre of your cheek. Blend the product in gentle, back-and-forth strokes, ensuring there are no harsh lines. Start with small amounts of product and build up as needed, adding more product in small amounts to avoid overdoing it.
Step 4: Apply Contour Along Your Jawline
Using your contour brush, apply contour along your jawline from your ear to the chin. This will create a defined jawline. Blend the product well, focusing on blending it down onto the neck to avoid harsh lines. Start by using a small amount and add more as needed.
Step 5: Apply Contour to Your Temples
Using your contour brush, apply contour to your temples, blending it into your hairline and creating a soft, natural shadow. This will help frame the face and can be blended in with the cheekbone contour for a cohesive look.
Step 6: Apply Highlight to the High Points
Using a highlight brush, apply your highlight product to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bone, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow. Blend the product well to create a natural glow.
Step 7: Blend Everything Together
Use a damp blending sponge to blend all the contour and highlight products together, creating a seamless and natural look. Focus on blending the edges of the contour and highlight for a smooth finish. Continue to blend until there are no visible lines and all of the products are blended seamlessly into the skin.
Step 8: Set Your Makeup (Optional)
Using a large fluffy brush, apply a setting powder to the face to set the makeup and ensure that it lasts all day. Focus on the areas that are prone to creasing.
Step 9: Final Touches
Add any final touches such as blush and other products, and step back and assess the final look. If there are any harsh lines, gently blend them out until they are not visible.
Contouring Tips for Different Face Shapes
Adjust your contouring technique based on your face shape for the most flattering results:
Round Face
Contour along the sides of your forehead, under your cheekbones, and along your jawline to create definition and make your face appear slimmer. Focus on creating strong angles to create a more defined look.
Square Face
Contour along your temples and jawline to soften the edges of your face. Focus on rounding the corners of your face to create a softer look. Use your highlight on the centre of your forehead, chin and under your eyes to enhance your features.
Heart-Shaped Face
Contour along your forehead and under your cheekbones to create balance. Avoid contouring along your jawline, as this will enhance the point of the chin. Highlight the high points of your face for added definition.
Oval Face
Contour under your cheekbones and jawline for subtle definition. Highlight the areas that you want to enhance, such as your brow bone, cheekbones and the bridge of the nose.
Oblong Face
Contour along your hairline and under your jawline to shorten your face. Focus your highlight on the centre of the forehead, under the eyes and the chin to create balance.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some extra tips and tricks to elevate your contouring skills:
Start Light
Start by using small amounts of product and gradually build the intensity. It is easier to add more product than it is to take it away, so it’s always a good idea to start small and gradually increase the product as needed.
Use a Light Hand
When applying the products use a light hand to prevent applying too much. This makes it easier to blend. Use gentle back and forth motions when applying the products and focus on blending the edges to avoid harsh lines.
Practice Regularly
Like any makeup technique, practicing regularly is key to mastering contouring. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right straight away, keep practising and over time you will improve.
Consider Your Skin Type
Choose products that are suitable for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, opt for powder products, while if you have dry skin, cream products may work better for you.
Blend, Blend, Blend
Blending is key to a great contour, so make sure to take your time and use a damp blending sponge to ensure all of the products are blended seamlessly into the skin. Blending prevents harsh lines and creates a natural, more professional looking finish.
Product Recommendations: Best Products for Contouring
Here are some product recommendations to help you get started with contouring:
| Product Category | Brand & Product Name | Why it's a Great Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Contour Product | Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick | Easy to use, blendable and buildable, perfect for beginners. |
| Highlight Product | Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter | Smooth texture, buildable intensity and gives a natural glow. |
| Contour Brush | Real Techniques Sculpting Brush | High-quality, versatile and perfect for contouring. |
| Highlight Brush | MAC Cosmetics 140S Synthetic Full Fan Brush | Soft, flexible and perfect for applying highlights |
| Blending Sponge | Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge | High-quality sponge for a smooth and seamless blend. |
Conclusion: Embracing the Art of Contouring
Contouring is a transformative makeup technique that can enhance your natural features and create a more sculpted look. By following this beginner contouring guide and practicing consistently, you can confidently create a variety of looks, from natural and subtle, to bold and dramatic. Remember to understand the basics, choose the right products and tools, and focus on blending, blending, and more blending! Enjoy your journey to mastering the art of contouring and creating beautifully sculpted looks.
