How to contour your cheeks
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 1:53PM Contouring is a neat trick to have up your sleeves. You can easily loose a couple of pounds off your face, lift it up, and just generally make you look different. Prettier too, if done right!
Now the thing about contouring is that it's quite easy. You just need to remember three things: find the right angle, use the right brush and contouring color, and then blend like mad.
Just a small note: this is a tutorial for basic, everyday contouring on the cheeks. It's not the whole deal for the face, because that's a little more complex and time-consuming.
Step 1: Finding the right angle to darken
The easiest way to do this is to just suck your cheeks in and then apply the color where the hollows are. A slightly harder (but better and more natural) way to do it is this: go under direct light, then observe where the shadows fall on your face. To illustrate -
Uncontoured face
The color will go where the darkest shadows fall on your cheeks. That's your "contouring angle". From your hairline, swipe the brush down to where the shadow ends.
Step 2: Use the right color and brush
Use a color that's two shades darker than your skin tone. You don't even need to buy powder specifically for contouring; any kind of dark foundation will do! As for the brush, pick something that's angled and fluffy. You don't want to use a dense brush since the makeup may end up looking too harsh. I like to use the Marionnaud angled blush brush for contouring.
Step 3: Blend, blend, blend!
Good contouring looks natural. There should be no harsh lines or strong color. So, if you see anything like that, soften it by buffing with a kabuki brush or blending the color out with some foundation.
And that's it! Easy peasy right? Hope this helps!
Reader Comments (6)
I love this tutorial Liz! =) I don't have cheekbones (boohoo) and my sister has been egging me to use bronzer forever, and I just found out how helpful it is a year ago! I don't have a pancake face anymore on photos because of contouring! - Trace
Hi Liz! What should I put first? Blush or contour? Thanks
just perfect for what i've been looking for, Liz! thanks! it's like a free face lift and makeover :)
@ Trace haha. nice to know youve mastered it! so few girls do it daily.
@ Kingking My preference is the contour first before the blush. The blush just goes on the apples of my cheeks.
@DaeaSR no prob! always a pleasure. ^_^
hi liz! im a big fan of your blog. i find your reviews and tutorials very useful! :)
may i know what product are you using for contouring? thanks!
Hi Angeline! Thanks for following. :D I actually use 3 products, depending on my needs for the day:
MAC Mineralized Blush in Cheek and Cheerful - this is more like an apricot, shimmery bronzer for me. I use this when I want to have a sun-kissed, warm face.
Artdeco contouring duo compact - it's matte, natural-looking, and photogenic. lasts all day too! sadly Artdeco has already left the Philippines so you cant buy this locally anymore. :(
Revlon Beyond Naturals Blush & Bronzer (Plumberry) - i use this for very natural, barely-there contouring. the lasting power isnt that good (3, 4 hours tops) but i love the effect on my face. it gives me this nice glow.
In this tutorial, I used the MAC mineralized blush. :D