How do you contour your face?

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Oct 4, 2011

Dana N.

I've heard of contouring your face, but I have no idea what it is. How do you do it and what products do you use?

Oct 4, 2011

Isabelina B.

i use a matte bronzer as my contour. basically i apply it in the hollows of my cheeks, right below my blush :] you need to use it lightly though!

Oct 4, 2011

Everist W.

I love contour my face... I like to use a matte bronzer ( blunt blush by MAC) and apply it under my cheek bones, on the vey top edge of my brow/ forehead area and very lightly on the edges of my nose.. Then I like to hightlight with a pressed shimmer ( Star by MAC) and appy it under my eye area, the very lightly at my T- zone area...
I hope this helps :)

Oct 4, 2011

Zita D.

The idea is to add shadows and highlights to your nose and or cheeks to create the illusion of a different shape.

So, if you feel like you want your cheeks/nose to look thinner, or your cheekbones to stand out more, then you create a fake shadow where there would have been one if your cheekbones were standing out there. Also, you would add a light highlight to them were the light would have been hitting them.

The key is learning how to blend it correctly so that you don't look like you're wearing stage makeup (see: rupaul's drag race)


http://www.makeupgeek.com/tutorials/how-to-contour-your-face/

This video is quick and easy and will show ya how it's done.

The photo below shows you the concept, taken to drag proportions... so take heed: contouring can be treacherous. 

Oct 4, 2011

Everist W.

zita... thnx for the pix for my wordsd...lol wow do u load the pic ?

Oct 4, 2011

Laura N.

Instead of a bronzer, I like to use a regular face powder that's about 3-4 shades darker than my skin tone. I found that it blends easier and looks more natural than regular bronzer. I apply it underneath my cheekbones as well as the temples. I'm planning on doing a "5-minute face" video soon so keep a lookout for that if you want to see a demo! :) Good luck!

www.YouTube.com/simplyallureable1

Oct 4, 2011

Dana N.

Thank you for all of the great answers! I need to get the hang of it!

Oct 4, 2011

Everist W.

@Dana... Play around in the mirror then take pix to see your work and progress:)

Oct 4, 2011

Everist W.

@Dana... Play around in the mirror then take pix to see your work and progress:)

Oct 4, 2011

Angela W.

The best contouring videos I've seen are "drag" vids. Seriously though.

Cuntour refers to the shading of the face, normally applyed to enhance you own features or creat a different shape on the face.
Applied on the hollows on the cheeks, on the temples, on the hair line, sides of the nose, jaw line,and on the crease of the eyes too.
Highlight in apllyed for the same reason to enhance you features and goes on the top of your cheeksbones, center of the nose, forhead, browbone, cupids bow, on the chin.
products that you can use, anything that is darker than ur skin tone, like bronzers, dark eyeshadows, even lipsticks( lipsticcks work great as blush BTW), there are sculpting things( forgot the name).
for highlighters you can use shimmery eyeshadow, products specialy made for highlight, sometimes I use a white pencil, like NYX jumbo eye pencil in milk.
oh and finally I luv the vids of Petrilude, he knows how to countour so check him out if you haven't already, and hope that helps :)

i made a video awhile back on contouring and highlighting the face! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNBOEZGb8WI

Oct 4, 2011

Cameron R.

You can use anything! I have used liquid/cream/powder foundation, as well as just matte bronzers as countour and they all work great! On a day to day basis, I just honestly use a Sigma F35, lightly apply the darker powder foundation on my cheek hollows, temples, and a little bit under my jawline, and just blend it out.

The trick in contouring, is knowing your bone structure. If your out in the daytime and have contoured your hollows to low, or too high up on your cheeks, it's very noticeable and looks very off. I try sucking my face in, or making a fish face, and you will immediately, or should immediately see the hollows of your cheeks pop out.

For your jawline, make sure to apply under the jawline and slightly drag the product up, not down while blending, otherwise it will just look like you have a five-o'-clock shadow.

Hope I helped! = )

Oct 4, 2011

Derval B.

I love contouring! The 2 methods I use:
1. The application of 3 different shades of foundation, the lightest shade to highlight: under the eyes, mid forhead, down the center of the nose. The darkest shade is applied to the hollows of the cheek, sides of the nose and around the perimeter of the face. The other shade should be a perfect match and used to transition.
2. You can also achieve a similar effect with one foundation that matches your skin tone adding contour and highlight with powder or bronzers.
The intention is to mimic the natural dimensions of the face and the intensity depends on your features and the look you're going for. The key to great contouring is BLENDING! 

Oct 4, 2011

Drea L.

Angela - OMG, I agree!! I get ALL Of my contouring & highlighting tips from Drag videos on YouTube!

I contour with bareMinerals warmth and I just apply it on the hollows of my cheeks below my blush.

www.makeupdiva24.blogspot.com
xoxo, Chantel

Oct 4, 2011

Dana N.

Thank you sooooo much for all of the help!!!!! I need to play around this weekend with it.

I have learned so much from Wayne Goss (gossmakeupartist on YT) on this subject. I am about to do a contouring video for fuller faces. Its been on my to-do list forever. Not that you have a fuller face! But I do, and I need help with it as well. Its challenging anyway, but when you "make a fishy face" and nothing sinks in...well, what the heck do you contour??!!! LOL!

Best of luck with it! I am off to check out drag videos on YT!

--Cookie