Contouring For "Your" Face.

May 1, 2016

Livi H.

I actually don't see a big difference in the contour, it just looks like the third picture she had blush and some bronzer on. Anyway, that's Melissa Alatorre and she's a makeup artist based in LA. The products she's using is Anastasia cream contour. I love her looks and how she does her makeup!

May 1, 2016

Alyx T.

I don't see much of a difference other than one is more her real skintone, less orange and more yellow. Anyway that's melissa alatorre and she has a YouTube video about other ways to use your contour kit and I believe that's where this picture came from

https://youtu.be/UOpzCJopmI8

May 1, 2016

Marleen B.

A frie

May 1, 2016

Hannah K.

I agree with the girls above, I don't see a whole lot of difference.
Just adding to what the girls have already said, to me that doesn't look like a contour. It looks incredibly warm and very unlike a shadow (what a contour is supposed to look like). It just looks like bronzer on her face to warm her face up. For a truly 'chiselled' look, a cool brown or grey-toned contour (proper contour powder, not repackaged bronzer) or a sculpting powder is better.

May 1, 2016

Marleen B.

What a friend & I were discussing is that blush, highlight & bronzer are all different forms of 'contouring". Contouring is not necessarily about using a contour product. Whenever you add ANY kind of color to the face, you are continuing the face by changing what the eye is perceiving. For example, the sun will hit the high points of your face first. So when you add blush it gives the appearance of a higher plane on the face. Whereas when you add highlight to a large area like the 2nd pic, it seems to almost "flatten" out the area. Sure it brightens, but it seems to make the middle of the face seem wider. Which is fine, but if my friend is looking for a more chiseled look...I don't know if that is the best techniqie.

May 2, 2016

Marleen B.

Alma, Exactly! I am of a mixed race. Half Asian, and most Asian facial structures are for the most part different than let's just say Western faces and therefore can look unnatural when doing the IG or YouTube contouring. Plus, since I'm getting older, my face is requiring different kinds of contouring, than a girl in her 20s. Everyone I see a contouring video, it's ALWAYS the same. Everyone does the same thing except for a few like Angie from HOT & FLASHY, who is older and customizes her contouring to an aging face. But even she doesn't have the same facial structure as me. So it's more about learning what you are actually trying to achieve SPECIFICALLY, rather than "how do I contour properly". The 2nd pic is fine if that is the look she was trying to achieve, brightened, wide planes across the face. But most girls it seems are trying to create higher cheekbones and a slimmer face. Which is fine, but I know for my particular "aging face, which is naturally losing volume in the lower part of my face and the fat on my cheekbones are thinning out. I don't want to exaggerate it, so I would prefer not to visually "flatten" my face with wide expanses of highlight across my face. I still use a brightening concealer (although not as bright as most people I see), but it's more of a slim triangle than a wide strip. And I don't bring my contour down that far or at such an extreme diagonal angle. I try to keep it higher to lift the cheeks and cheekbones. I don't want people to take this the wrong way. I'm not saying there is a right way or a wrong way to contour. But I hear so many girls struggling with getting it to look right, when they are trying to follow a tutorial from a girl with an entirely different face shape. Most of the time, I just use bronzer & a blusher with a sheen. So I can skip an actual contour & highlight. There usage of just bronzer & blush is already visually contouring my face with playing with light, color and shadow.

May 2, 2016

Livi H.

Oh! Now I understand the reason for this topic. I agree with what you say here Marlene! I don't contour the same as the IG norm I used to do that basic thing that was meant to be a guideline. Lol! I stopped contouring my temples because it just didn't need contouring. I only do under my cheekbones and jawline since I'm a by more rounder there! To be completely honest I don't even do that type of highlighting. I just use hourglass luminous light for a subtle glow!

I do think that those girls who do those contouring/highlighting look very pretty and flawless in the finished result in their picture / videos but I do wonder how it looks like in person? I'm a bit confused on the so many layers? Foundation, cream contour, powder count our, bronzer, liquid highlight, powder highlight, setting powder, finishing powder... Maybe it's just for special occasions? But I cannot keep up watching the videos and I honestly get lost in all the products :(

I have a question though! When people put foundation... Why does it look, to me, as if they're covering the actual foundation with the contour/highlighting cream products? It's literally everywhere and practically covers the whole face when they blend it out. I've always been confused about that, I understand it acts as a base though but the color of the foundation (our skin!) is basically covered?

May 2, 2016

Kitty K.

'I have a question though! When people put foundation... Why does it look, to me, as if they're covering the actual foundation with the contour/highlighting cream products? It's literally everywhere and practically covers the whole face when they blend it out. I've always been confused about that, I understand it acts as a base though but the color of the foundation (our skin!) is basically covered?'


This is everything I've been feeling ever since I've laid my eyes on the contouring.
What is even the point of applying foundation? They cover one half of the face with a darker color, then the other half with a much lighter color. Then they go in with another color under the eyes and pack on so much product! Why even bother with foundation?


There's one video where a YTer does it with ben nye... and she picks up SO MUCH POWDER that the powder looks like actual foundation with color. I know Ben Nye banana is supposed to have a yellow tint but not to the point where it might as well be foundation. She literally scooped up a handful and pressed it on under her eyes.

May 2, 2016

Marleen B.

I know exactly what you mean. It's like they don't even need foundation because the contour and concealer/highlight covers 90% of their face! At this point, the face takes on a 2 dimensional look instead of a 3 dimensional look. And that's fine, if that's the look they're going for. But, from the looks of IG & YouTube, it just looks like everyone else is just copying everyone else. And since IG & YouTube are not real-life, the makeup comes across as "Flawless" as in flawless skin on social media & photos. But in the real world, face to face, it looks like "flawless stage makeup", not flawless skin. Then, when girls can't achieve that flawless look without looking cakey, they think they're not doing it right.

May 2, 2016

Marleen B.

I, too keep watching the videos, Just to keep up with the latest beauty products, watch reviews and to possibly discover a new technique or tips to enhance my ever changing face. So far, this year, I have discovered 2 new products and a different way of applying blush. I also love to watch a lot of the videos because I find the "gurus" really fun & entertaining and not so much for the tutorials. I still appreciate the artistry of all the elaborate eye looks even though I know most wouldn't suit me.

May 2, 2016

Marleen B.

Jacqueline, you are so right on the grey contour on my skintone. I actually own a Sephora brand grey contour & it looks like I've got ashes on my face. I usually switch between NXY Contour stick in Universal & Kevyn Aucoins contour. But I do dust on a bronzer or a contouring blush like Nars Paloma over it and all around. I know the so called warm shades are not ideal for contouring, but something too warm for one person is not necessarily too warm for another. I need what works for MY skintone. Plus I have melasma so, that introduces a host of other challenges when trying to find the right shade. But for the sake of this topic, I'm not really focusing on shade. I'm more focused on proper placement customized to your particular face shape & what you're trying to achieve. I hear girls say "I like that contoured look". To me, that sounds like , "I want to look like a I'm wearing an obvious contour". It's hard for me to understand why a person wants to contour their face, when they don't even know what they want to change about their face. You can "look" contoured but it may not flatter you, if you don't even know what you're trying to accomplish.

May 2, 2016

Marleen B.

It's all so exhausting and a little sad. Makeup is supposed to be fun, not a mandatory chore.

May 3, 2016

Alma M.

Marleen is this a thread about confusion about contouring or the extent of how misguided it is compared to real life makeup application? I just want to be clear as to what you may be trying to discuss so that the picture & question you asked stays on track. :)

May 3, 2016

Marleen B.

Just trying to shine a light on there is no "one size fits all" contouring. And that girls would probably have an easier time learning how to contour if they would first realize that contouring is not something you have to do. But if it is something you want to do, then maybe try taking a really good look and your face shape and decide what specifically you'd like to visually alter. And when researching tutorials, consider the source of who's showing you how to contour. Does this person has a similar face shape, age group, skin type, and skin challenges such as textural issues, discolorations etc. Don't be "sheep". Makeup application is an artform, do what looks and feels right for you. This may sound harsh, but I'm kinda of tired of seeing the same "map" on everyone's face. It doesn't deter me from love for beauty products, makeup and such. I'm just ready to see something different. I think real life make up vs social media makeup is a major contributing factor to the confusion of contouring. The picture is suppose to depict a cookie cutter contouring job vs a personalized contouring job.

May 3, 2016

Marleen B.

When looking at pic 2 & pic 3. Firstly, don't dissect the face by paying too much attention to product placement type of product & skin color. Hold the pic back a little and look at the "whole picture". Which face has more dimension?

May 3, 2016

Alma M.

Got it Thank you Marleen. I didn't think what you said was harsh at all in fact if you or other's can only hear the real conversations of mua about all the hot mess going around I can bet you there would be many people surprised how blunt and yes forward opinions are about it all. Truth be told if I were more honest on threads about so many trends I don't agree with I would probably have more enemies. Lol

I think had you put that info in the beginning of your thread it would have gained even more interesting discussion. :) good topic. 

May 3, 2016

Marleen B.

I'm glad you understand. This thread is not meant to hate on "gurus". They are trying to be helpful and share what works for them. This is more about being aware of how not all tips & tricks should be followed verbatim. I'm all for learning new things. Just think & be discerning about what you're hearing and seeing, and tweak it to fit you.

May 3, 2016

Chris M.

I love the ways the discussions vary! I don't mind floating from one area to another, as I learn from all of it. Jacqueline, NEVER "wasted words" from you! Thank you all for your passion and generosity!

May 3, 2016

Diana T.

Miss Jacqueline always dropping the knowledge bombs! Bombs away! Haha - I love reading your comments because they are always so informative and I feel like I learn new things from you all the time! Ugh but you guys I feel like are the select few that see the craziness that IG and YT "gurus" and they crazy techniques has just got out of hand! And I completely agree with you beauties! Makeup is not a one size fits all - we are all unique and should highlight the features we love about ourselves with makeup (if we want to) and it should be something that celebrates our natural beauty - not hides it or transforms it to look like a completely different person (I mean unless that's the look you were going for then more power to you) as long as we are all having fun then sure there are no real makeup "rules" but my problem is when people online give unprofessional advice and people take it as the makeup gospel - it really irritates me! That's all... But people will do what they want and who are we to judge them - but it doesn't mean we have to follow or like it :)

May 5, 2016

Marleen B.

This is slightly off topic, but why do most girls use a concealer to a create the triangle of light rather than just a lighter foundation? Concealers typically have a thicker consistency and are meant to cover discolorations and to be used in small areas of the face. But it seems like everyone is using concealers on at least 50 % of their face which can get cakey and mask looking. I know there are some who have a lot of discoloration & on only concealer can cover it. But if you gave no discoloration and you just want to highlight, why not use a thinner consistency product like a lighter foundation or highlighting concealer pen? And also a darker foundation for contouring? Just curious. It also seems more economical to use a foundation instead of a concealer because it would last longer. Those foundation sticks seem like they would work well for brightening and contouring. Kinda of inbetween a thick concealer and a liquid foundation. Does anyone use different shades of foundations instead of concealers to highlight & contour?

May 5, 2016

Diana T.

I've tried using different shades of foundation (a darker one I used for summer and a lighter one for winter) and I thought it came out ok - very natural looking for sure and since I used foundation I didn't feel the need to cake on additional products - but to me it was also kind of a hassle and time consuming - I'm the kind of girl who doesn't want to spend more than 15-30 minutes max on my daily face - so I didn't feel like I could incorporate it into a daily routine (not that I really want to) but instead I got that Lancôme highlighter/contour duo pen and it worked much quicker and better for me - it's not a concealer so doesn't feel or look cakey but I think other girls use it because they want to look cakey... Lol I mean and cakey is not bad but for me I don't feel as comfortable with a cake face every day - but if you want that flawless IG/YT look it seems like you have to cake on your makeup because that's what they do - I don't really know that there is much more reasoning behind it besides that.