Contouring and highlighting has become a popular makeup trend in recent years. It can help define your facial features and create a more sculpted and polished look. However, for beginners, it can be a daunting and confusing process. With so many products and techniques to choose from, where do you even begin? Don’t worry, this beginner’s guide will break down the basics of contouring and highlighting to help you achieve a flawless makeup look.
Contouring is the process of using a darker shade to create shadows and define your facial features, while highlighting is using a lighter shade to emphasize and bring forward certain areas. The key to successful contouring and highlighting is finding the right shades and blending them seamlessly into your skin for a natural finish.
To start, you’ll need three key products: a contour powder or cream, a highlighter, and a makeup brush. For contouring, choose a shade that is slightly darker than your natural skin tone. For highlighting, pick a shade that is a few shades lighter than your skin tone. When choosing a brush, opt for a slanted brush for contouring and a smaller, fluffy brush for highlighting.
Begin by applying the contour product to the areas you want to define, such as the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, and along your jawline. Blend the product using the slanted brush, making sure to blend the edges seamlessly into your skin. Remember, less is more when it comes to contouring – it’s easier to add more product than to remove excess.
Next, apply the highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your brow bone. Use the smaller, fluffy brush to blend the product into your skin for a natural, dewy finish.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of contouring and highlighting, you can experiment with different techniques to enhance your features. For example, you can use a shimmery highlighter for a more dramatic, glowing effect, or mix a liquid highlighter with your foundation for an all-over luminous look.
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to contouring and highlighting. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for your unique features. With time and patience, you’ll be able to master the art of contouring and highlighting to achieve a flawless makeup look every time.
