Contouring 101
The great Renny Vasquez once said, “If you really wanna serve the kids, you gotta sculpt out that extra neck,” and I completely agree with his sentiments. With the slew of so-called “makeup artists” on social media platforms, everyone has become some degree of a beauty expert; and nothing says “beat face” more than a snatched nose and a face chiseled for the nations.
When it comes to contouring, you’ve heard of it’s sorcery and want to know the story behind it. Perhaps you’ve tried it on yourself and you can’t quite get the hang of it. Have no fear; Here is all you need to know about contouring for the gods. Pull out your pen and paper and let’s get to work
Let's start with the definition.
Contour, according to dictionary.com is: the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.
In a nutshell, contouring is adding depth, definition, and dimension to give a more sculpted look to the body; it can be used to give the appearance of, including, but not limited to, a smaller forehead, sculpted cheekbones, a chiseled jawline, a slimmed and symmetrical nose, and even larger breasts.
These effects can be achieved by using a bronzer, concealer, creme foundation, matte powders (with brown, beige, taupe, and grey tones), blush, or a combination of more than one.
1. Discover your skin type to determine your outcome
Contouring can be done on any skin type, but discovering if you’re oily, dry, normal/combination will help to determine what type of products your should use to achieve the perfect contour for you.
If you're oily, stay away from creme-based products and use powders. This means that for the sake of a beginner, you should contour with a powder AFTER applying foundation and concealer. Make sure your powder is a couple shades darker than your skin tone and has a matte finish to give the illusion of shadows.
If your skin tends to be more on the dry side, make sure you have moisturized your skin and apply creme products such as foundations and concealers. The outcome will be a chiseled face with a beautiful dewy finish, making your skin look fresh and hydrated.
If you don't necessarily identify as oily, or dry, chile, consider yourself blessed because you can choose either a dewy finish or matte finish, using a combination of cremes and powders to achieve your perfect look.
2. When in doubt, map it out.
You have to have a vision. A good universal rule of thumb is using the E3 method for the perimeter of the face and connecting the inside of each eyebrow, down the sides of the nose. (If you’re trying to make your nose appear less wide).
3. Blend baby, blend!
I know that people often say that there are no rules to makeup but that's not true. One of the most important rules is: No harsh lines.
Trust me when I say it’s better to add more than it is to take away. Start with minimal product and build, in layers to increase the intensity.
If you're using creme products, using a damp beauty blender or triangle sponge are the best way to ensure a seamless blend.
For powders, the fluffier the brush the better!
4. Set and SLAY!
Apply a light amount of translucent powder to the entire face to set everything in place. [ Insert a little blush as well for you rouge-wearers]. Spray your face with your favorite setting spray (if desired), and make the world your runway!