Contouring is a game-changing makeup technique that enhances your facial structure, creating definition and a sculpted look. While contouring can seem intimidating, learning how to contour like a pro is easier than you think. With the right techniques, products, and a bit of practice, you can master this art and achieve a flawless, defined look just like a professional makeup artist. Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or just want to enhance your everyday look, these expert tips will help you contour like a pro.
1. Know Your Face Shape: The Foundation of Contouring
Before diving into the actual technique, the most important step in contouring like a pro is understanding your face shape. Makeup artists always start with this as their foundation because each face shape requires a different approach to contouring. Here are the basic face shapes and the best contouring methods for each:
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Oval Face: For an oval face shape, you can contour lightly along the sides of the forehead and under the cheekbones. Focus on defining the jawline.
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Round Face: Contour the sides of your face, focusing on the cheekbones and jawline, to create the illusion of length and a more angular appearance.
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Square Face: Soften the angles by contouring along the jawline, temples, and cheeks to create more roundness.
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Heart-Shaped Face: To balance a wide forehead and narrow chin, contour along the jawline and temples.
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Diamond Face: For this face shape, contour the forehead, sides of the face, and jawline to highlight the cheekbones and balance the face’s proportions.
Understanding where to apply contour based on your unique face shape will help you achieve a more natural and sculpted look.
2. The Right Tools Make All the Difference
Makeup artists swear by the right tools to achieve a flawless contour. Here are some must-have tools to contour like a professional:
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Contouring Brushes: A dense, angled brush is essential for applying powder or cream contour products. It allows for precise application and blending, especially around the hollows of your cheeks and jawline.
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Beauty Blending Sponge: For blending out creams or liquids, a beauty blender is ideal for seamless, airbrushed results. It’s especially useful for contouring the nose and under-eye areas.
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Small Concealer Brush: A small, flat brush is great for applying contour along the nose and around the perimeter of the forehead.
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Fan Brush: A fan brush is perfect for applying highlighter to the high points of your face for a glowing finish after contouring.
Choosing the right tools for your contour routine makes blending much easier and more precise, allowing you to mimic the professional, flawless results that makeup artists achieve.
3. Choosing the Right Contour Products
One of the biggest secrets to contouring like a pro is using the right products for your skin type and desired finish. Professional makeup artists choose contour products that suit the client’s skin type and the look they want to achieve. Here’s a breakdown of popular contour products:
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Cream Contour: Cream contours are great for achieving a more natural, dewy finish. They blend seamlessly into the skin and are perfect for dry or mature skin. Cream products can be applied with a brush or sponge.
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Powder Contour: Powder contours are perfect for oily skin as they set into the skin and provide a matte finish. They are also buildable, making them ideal for those who want more defined contouring.
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Contour Sticks: Contour sticks are perfect for quick application and provide more control. They’re ideal for those who prefer an easy-to-use product that can be applied directly to the skin and blended out.
When choosing the shade of your contour product, remember that it should be a few shades darker than your skin tone. Your highlight shade, on the other hand, should be a few shades lighter.
4. Master the Techniques: Contouring the Right Way
Now that you have your tools and products ready, it’s time to master the contouring technique. Here’s a step-by-step guide that makeup artists use to contour like pros:
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply a primer to ensure that your makeup lasts longer. A smooth base allows the contour product to blend seamlessly.
Step 2: Apply Foundation
Use a foundation that matches your skin tone to create an even base. Make sure to blend the foundation well into your neck to avoid any harsh lines. This provides a neutral canvas for your contour and highlight.
Step 3: Place the Contour
Using your contour product, apply it to the areas of your face where you want to create shadows and definition. Focus on:
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Cheekbones: Apply contour in the hollows of your cheeks, just below the cheekbones, to create a sculpted look.
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Jawline: Define the jawline to make it appear sharper and more angular.
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Forehead: Contour the sides of your forehead to make it look smaller and more balanced.
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Nose: Use a smaller brush to contour along the sides of your nose to make it appear slimmer.
Step 4: Apply Highlight
Now that you’ve contoured, it’s time to highlight the high points of your face to add dimension. Apply your highlighter on the following areas:
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Top of your cheekbones: This will make your cheekbones pop.
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Bridge of your nose: This draws attention to the center of your face.
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Cupids bow: Highlighting the cupid’s bow gives the illusion of fuller lips.
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Under the eyes and on the chin: Brighten these areas to lift the face.
Step 5: Blend, Blend, Blend!
Blending is the key to achieving a natural-looking contour. Use a beauty sponge or a dense brush to blend the contour and highlight seamlessly into your skin. Avoid harsh lines; the goal is to create shadows and highlights that melt into your foundation, leaving a soft, sculpted finish.
Step 6: Set with Powder
To ensure your contour lasts all day, set it with a translucent powder. Use a light hand to avoid disrupting the contour and highlight you’ve worked so hard to perfect.
5. Perfect Your Contour: Pro Tips for a Flawless Finish
To achieve professional-level contouring, keep these expert tips in mind:
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Don’t go too dark: When it comes to contouring, subtlety is key. Start with a light hand and build up to your desired intensity.
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Blend upwards: Always blend your contour upward to create a lifted appearance. Blending downward can make your face look saggy or aged.
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Use a setting spray: After completing your makeup, spritz a setting spray to lock in your contour and highlight for all-day wear.
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Practice makes perfect: Contouring is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t flawless—keep experimenting with different products and techniques.
Conclusion
Contouring like a professional makeup artist is all about understanding your face shape, using the right tools, products, and techniques, and perfecting your skills through practice. By following these expert tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a flawless, sculpted look every time. Remember, the key is to blend well, keep the look subtle, and enhance your natural features. With a little patience and practice, you can contour like a pro and achieve a stunning, camera-ready appearance!
