What Do You Contour With & Why.

May 7, 2016

Marleen B.

I recently posted a topic about customizing your contour "map" specifically for your face. To understand not only on application & placement but to understand specifically WHY you were applying the product to a certain area and not just following some tutorial on IG or YT. The conversation segued into why most people use concealer as their highlight & contour instead of using a lighter & darker foundation. Concealers have a thicker more opaque consistency & a have a tendency to get cakey esp. when used over foundation and used generously. Concealers are meant to cover discoloration and to be used in smaller areas on the face, like under the eyes, around the nose & on blemishes. And most apply wide strips of concealer (which imo counteracts the chiseled cheekbones look, but that's a different topic). I've even seen some girls use 2 and 3 different concealers layered on top of each other, then they try to combat the cakiness with tons of powder by baking. Now, if your happy doing all this, by all means, "do your thing". But it got me wondering why not use a concealer on your dark circles only then use either a lighter foundation stick or highlighting pen to highlight instead of using a thick concealer. It would seem that if you're going to layer on several products, why not use thinner consistency products if you're just trying to brighten the area not actually cover up discolorations? I actually think it would yield a fresher, glowier look , because the skin underneath wouldn't look as flat looking by totally obliterating the skins natural translucency. One of my theories on why most people use concealers other than trying to achieve that flat, brightened look is because it's so easy & convenient to grab a tube of concealer instead a liquid or cream foundation. If more companies would make foundation sticks or even foundations in a squeezy tube, would you use that instead of an actual concealer?

May 7, 2016

katie s.

I use a concealer because as you said, it's cheap and easy to grab. Though there are concealers with thicker consistencies, just like foundations, concealers also come in thinner consistencies as well. I don't think it makes a difference on which you use as long as you aren't using super thick products and if you are, not using thick products underneath :)

May 7, 2016

Alexis C.

I use a concealer a shade lighter than my foundation to highlight under my eyes, down the nose, and my Cupid's bow. My dark circles aren't so dark that I need extra coverage so I can get away with using a lighter concealer to brighten up certain areas. To contour I use the Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder and I really only contour my cheekbones.

May 7, 2016

Kim M.

I don't use a concealer or a foundation to highlight /contour. my skin is starting to show signs of aging, so too much product settles into fine lines and pores. I use a powder contour, I just changed to Loreal Wear Infinite eyeshadow single in Sable. it's a light cool taupe and it doesn't over power my fair skin. I contour my cheekbones, nose, and forehead. I have a round face, so it helps to sharpen my features. I highlight with a cream or powder highlighter, depends on the look I want. powder for a more dramatic and cream for a more natural look. my favorite powder highlighter is Giovi Magic finish cooked powder #2

May 7, 2016

Ariana G.

I only use concealer to highlight under my eyes and then I take some excess product and dap that on my forehead, nose, and chin. Then I use a powder contour. And then maybeeee I'll use a powder highlight to emphasize my cheekbones a bit more.

May 7, 2016

Makeup A.

I use a concealed to highlight and use a foundation that matches my skin just around the perimeter of My face ( I get red near my jaw) this way I'm not layering concealer over foundation

May 7, 2016

Hannah K.

I contour with a cream contour (both highlight and contour) but then I use a powder contour colour to sharpen up under my cheekbones as I have a very dull bone structure. I use the Freedom cream contour kit and the Sleek powder contour kit.

May 7, 2016

Alyx T.

I usually use a cream color, a custom mix from the mufe flash palette, and set it with a taupe blush. I use a discontinued one from a tarte palette. I contour under my cheekbones, my jaw and my the sides of my forehead. I only highlight my cheekbones, my nose and cupids bow with my nars copacabana illuminator.

I find using a custom color I can get a more natural look, I made it custom to the color of my actual face shadows. Most contour creams are to warm even if they're cool toned, I have pretty pink skin naturally, so it looks to warm on me and the taupe powder just helps it blend a bit better and set it without being super harsh. I find I hate the look and feel of using concealers, it just feels too heavy on my sensitive skin. On days when my skin is needing more coverage and I use a heavier foundation I only use a powder to prevent any heaviness.

How is the nyx contour stick? I see it in store and it just looks super warm in the package so I don't pick it up. It'd be good for travel for me though if it's not too warm.

May 7, 2016

Marleen B.

I bought the medium & the Universal shades. And I think the medium is too warm for my olive medium skintone. I prefer the universal but is very natural looking and easy to work with. The one for LIGHT skin may be cooler, but I don't know for sure.

May 8, 2016

Dana E.

I honestly love the look of the full face, dramatic highlight contour "Kylie Jenner" face.

I use makeup forever HD foundation as my base.
I highlight under my eyes with NYX HD concealer. On my forehead, chin, and cupids bow as well.

I contour under my cheekbones and my temples with the NYX wonder stick in Light.

I set my under eyes with my banana powder from the Lorac pro contour palette. I set my whole face with the ELF HD powder in sheer.

Then I lightly powder contour my cheekbones and temples with my lorac pro palette. As well as my nose lightly.

I lightly dust some too faced chocolate soleil bronzer over my cheeks just so everything blends together nicely. I use a tarte blush (I forgot the name). And finally I highlight with the pinkest shade in my Carli bybel palette.

That was so long I'm sorry lol. This sounds like it takes me 100 hours but it honestly only takes me like 30 minutes to do a full face (including eyes). Like I said I really love that intense dramatic look. I only do this routine when I'm going out and taking pictures. On a typical work day/school day I wear IT cosmetics CC cream and some bronzer only lol