Get Ready to Shine: Contour and Highlight made easy
Contour and Highlight Like a Pro: A Step-By-Step Guide
We all know that contouring and highlighting can be one of the most powerful makeup techniques. It can help you sculpt your face, define features, and create a glowing complexion. But it can also be tricky to master if you're new to the technique. If you're looking for tips on how to contour and highlight like a pro, then this guide is for you!
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Y’all know how I feel about skincare. It's always important to start with a clean slate. Make sure your skin is hydrated and prepped before applying any product for the best results. Start by cleansing your face, then apply some moisturizer or primer. This will ensure that the products go on smoothly and evenly without caking up in any areas.
Step 2: Choose the Products that Work for You
Not all contouring products are created equal! When choosing your contouring and highlighting products, make sure you’re picking formulas that are creamy enough to blend easily but pigmented enough to give you the desired effect. Some shades can make you look sunburnt or ashen. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades until you find the perfect ones for your skin tone!
Here’s a 10-year old video from my YouTube channel. I decided to include this video to show how contouring and highlighting techniques change over time. The method I show in this video is precise and minimalist.
Step 3: Get Contouring!
Now that your skin is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to get sculpting! You want to use a matte bronzer or contour powder (or cream) around the areas of your face where shadows would naturally fall (e.g., cheekbones, forehead, nose). Make sure you blend outwards towards the edges of your face so there are no harsh lines or streaks left behind after application.
And don't forget about those angles—contouring along your jawline can help create definition in this area too! Here’s a recent video where I’m using a cream bronzer. I don’t think of this as contouring, but as warming up my face.
Step 4: Time To Highlight
Now it's time for the fun part—highlighting! Use a light shimmery shade on areas of your face such as under your eyes, down the bridge of your nose, above cupid’s bow, chin etc., anywhere where light would naturally hit. Blend outwards using a fan brush or a fluffy eyeshadow brush for an airbrushed finish. Most people seem to prefer powder formulations, but cream products give your skin that extra dewy look.
Remember: Practice Makes Perfect
With these simple steps in mind, you'll be able to master contouring and highlighting like a pro in no time! Remember that practice makes perfect—so don't get discouraged if it takes some time before you achieve the look you're going for. With patience and persistence, you'll soon have glowing skin that looks just as good as any Instagram filter could ever do!
Thanks for reading! I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Heather N King
Wow! That's how you get that perfect contured look! Awesome that's for posting!