Glow Up Your Makeup

If you want to enhance your facial features, create dimension, and achieve a flawless makeup look, you need to master the art of highlighting and contouring. These techniques can help you bring out your cheekbones, define your jawline, slim your nose, and brighten your complexion with just a few strokes of product. In this article, we will show you how to contour and highlight your face like a pro, using some tips and tricks from makeup artists.

What is highlighting and contouring?

Highlighting and contouring are makeup techniques that use light and dark shades to create contrast and illusion on the face. Highlighting involves applying a lighter shade of product on the areas of the face that you want to emphasize or bring forward, such as the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the center of the forehead, the cupid's bow, and the inner corners of the eyes. Contouring involves applying a darker shade of product on the areas of the face that you want to recede or slim down, such as the hollows of the cheeks, the sides of the nose, the temples, the jawline, and the hairline.

What products do you need for highlighting and contouring?

You can use either cream or powder products for highlighting and contouring, depending on your preference and skin type. Cream products tend to have a more natural and dewy finish, while powder products tend to have a more matte and long-lasting finish. You can also use liquid or stick products for more precise application. The key is to use products that are consistent in formula and blend well together.

For highlighting, you need a product that is one or two shades lighter than your skin tone or foundation. You can choose a product that has some shimmer or glow for extra radiance, or a matte product for a more subtle effect. For contouring, you need a product that is one or two shades darker than your skin tone or foundation. You should choose a product that has a cool or neutral undertone for a more realistic shadow effect, rather than a warm or orange undertone that can look muddy or unnatural.

You also need some tools for applying and blending your products. For cream products, you can use your fingers, a sponge, or a synthetic brush. For powder products, you can use a fluffy brush or an angled brush. You should use different tools for highlighting and contouring to avoid mixing the shades.

How to contour and highlight your face step by step

Step 1: Prep your skin

Before applying any makeup, you should prep your skin with your usual skincare routine. Make sure your skin is clean, moisturized, and protected with sunscreen. You can also apply a primer to smooth out your skin texture and help your makeup last longer.

Step 2: Apply your foundation

Apply your foundation all over your face to create an even base and cover any imperfections. You can use any type of foundation that suits your skin type and desired coverage level. Blend your foundation well with a sponge or a brush, making sure there are no streaks or patches.

Step 3: Apply your contour

Start with your contour shade and apply it on the areas of your face that you want to sculpt and define. Use a small amount of product at first and build up as needed. You can use these guidelines for different face shapes:

- For round faces: Apply contour along the temples, under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and under the chin to create more angles and definition.

- For oval faces: Apply contour along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to balance out the length and width of the face.

- For square faces: Apply contour along the edges of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the sides of the jawline to soften the corners and create more curves.

- For heart-shaped faces: Apply contour along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the chin to minimize the width of the upper face and create more symmetry.

- For diamond-shaped faces: Apply contour along the temples, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to reduce the prominence of these areas and create more harmony.

You can also apply contour on both sides of your nose to make it look slimmer or shorter. Start from the top of the bridge near your brows and go down to the tip.

Step 4: Blend your contour

Blend your contour into your skin with a sponge or a brush, using dabbing or circular motions. Make sure there are no harsh lines or edges, and that the contour looks seamless with your foundation. You can also use a clean sponge or brush to diffuse any excess product or blend out any mistakes.

Step 5: Apply your highlight

Apply your highlight shade on the areas of your face that you want to illuminate or bring forward. Use a small amount of product at first and build up as needed. You can use these guidelines for different face shapes:

- For round faces: Apply highlight on the center of the forehead, the center of the chin, the bridge of the nose, the tops of the cheekbones, and the cupid's bow to create more dimension and contrast.

- For oval faces: Apply highlight on the center of the forehead, the center of the chin, the bridge of the nose, the tops of the cheekbones, and the cupid's bow to accentuate the features and add some glow.

- For square faces: Apply highlight on the center of the forehead, the center of the chin, the bridge of the nose, the tops of the cheekbones, and the cupid's bow to soften the angles and add some radiance.

- For heart-shaped faces: Apply highlight on the center of the forehead, the center of the chin, the bridge of the nose, the tops of the cheekbones, and the cupid's bow to balance out the width of the upper face and add some luminosity.

- For diamond-shaped faces: Apply highlight on the center of the forehead, the center of the chin, the bridge of the nose, under the eyes, and above

the brows to brighten up these areas and create more symmetry.

You can also apply highlight on the inner corners of your eyes, under your brows, and on your brow bones to make your eyes look bigger and more awake.

Step 6: Blend your highlight

Blend your highlight into your skin with a sponge or a brush, using dabbing or circular motions. Make sure there are no harsh lines or edges, and that

the highlight looks seamless with your foundation and contour. You can also use a clean sponge or brush to diffuse any excess product or blend out any mistakes.

Step 7: Set your makeup

To make your makeup last longer and prevent it from creasing or fading, you should set it with a translucent powder or a setting spray. Use a large fluffy brush to lightly dust some powder over your face, focusing on areas that tend to get oily or shiny. Or use a setting spray to mist your face evenly and let it dry.

Step 8: Finish your makeup

You can finish your makeup with some blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, or any other products that you like. Just make sure to keep them in harmony with your highlight and contour shades, and blend them well for a flawless look.

And that's it! You have successfully contoured and highlighted your face like a pro. Now you can enjoy your sculpted and glowing makeup look for any occasion.