Why is contouring with bronzer bad??

Mar 19, 2014

Qwaserght T.

People are saying not to contour with bronzer. Why??

Mar 19, 2014

Qwaserght T.

Thank you
That really helped

Mar 19, 2014

Gretel T.

For me bronzer looks good. I don't get it a lot of makeup artists use bronzer for contouring.

Mar 19, 2014

Chantelle louise L.

So helpful had no idea about not using bronzer but did think it was because it was shimmery. What's the cheapest products to use and can you get them online?

Mar 19, 2014

MaKenzie T.

Hannah W. gives a flawless explanation. But to sum it up.It isnt bad but it is just not a contouring agent for the following reasons.
1. Bronzer often has an orangey, warm tone and contouring is for making that cool toned shadowy look that can only truly be achieved by using greyish contouring agents. If you use bronzer, often times it will give you a muddy look. Bronzer also most usually has shimmer which is another thing you don't want when contouring. I hope that helped. :/ lol :)

Mar 19, 2014

Chantelle louise L.

Megan thankyou so much! Yeah I was always worried since I was so pale but I'm deffinately going to try the foundation trick for now until I get a kit and I will check online, thankyou again!

Mar 19, 2014

Symone B.

Uh oh! This topic will open a can of worms!!

Please read this link. It will answer your question as well as show how the claws come out about bronzer as a contouring product 
http://www.beautylish.com/t/yxvram/good-contour-bronzer

Mar 19, 2014

Jackie L.

@Symone, lol Yeaa that's what I was thinking.

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

Currently on the popular page under "Editorials" Wayne Boss is featured teaching gals how to contour...with bronzer and blush. D'oh! I adore Wayne but...

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

*Goss  lol

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

I saw that Jacqlyn, but the look he produced is not in keeping with the 90's to me. He's great, but he's been tooting that bronze contour horn on youtube for a long time...including modern day "celebrity" looks. ;/

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

Lol He's very likeable and talented, but he really loves his bronzer! ;)

Mar 19, 2014

Miffi M.

Oh my, I'm so thankful for this thread. I've watched Wayne Goss' Bronzer Contour Video and bought a Bronzer afterwards and been using it to contour my face ever since. I always thought it looked a bit weird, so I didn't use much of it or used it very often. Now I know that I've been using the wrong product all along >.< so glad to find out otherwise before it became part of my routine :-) definitely going to buy the right thing tomorrow! Can you recommend any good contour videos, so I can see how it's done? Thanks!

Mar 19, 2014

Brittany F.

If it's a neutral bronzed you can, you don't need to feel the need to slab pure grey on your face. So some bronzers can be used for contouring actually. The common problem is that bronzers were made to warm up the face, and usually use orange tones to achieve that. Contouring is the recreation of shadows to make certain features recede and reshape your face, shadows are cool toned; so as you can see Bronzing and contouring are polar opposites. If you do like the way bronzer looks though go for it. There's no rules in makeup, only guidelines!

Mar 19, 2014

Alma M.

I made a Thread last year about the difference with Bronzer & Contour, hope this helps you understand I'll post it below :) I say you can do what works for you but when you try the two different product's you'll see the difference.


Hello Beauties,I thought I would share some information about bronzer's and the difference between Bronze & Contour Sculpting.Why do so many get frustrated or Confused about what this product is truly for.Well I have to say it maybe because Bronzer's are ideal for a Sun Kissed glow or Tanning finish from which the sun directly hits your face, your forehead,nose, upper cheek, chin oh and if you have a V neck on or tube top it also hits your neck and chest.So many colors of bronzer's are out there it's just trying to find the right one for your skin tone it can be overwhelming and frustrating with dealing and finding the right shade if you don't really know the true purpose of this Product Because (News Flash!) Bronzers are NOT for Contour!, but keep in mind it can be used after the shading finish if you want that sun kissed glow of color over, That being said is it because your using a bronzer for contouring? that it looks sooo Harsh that it's over powering your cheek like a muddy terracotta pot even if it's a matte bronze,YES!. It gives off a different finish, why because it's not a correct color, contour is for shadowing features which is why a sculpting powder is a cool grey tone), hey I'm all for trying anything to create a look (make it work right?) But lets be honest you still have to have the right tools,Well I prefer a liquid foundation or just plain o'l Contouring Sculpting powder! because the finish is clean well define to help the illusion that your creating Hence Shadowing (Grey tone) to sculpt features.It's a sculpting illusion not a obvious sculpting so you must blend and fade it making sure that there are no lines showing with contour.This is a thing to think about Look at your shadow outside is your shadow a Bronze color? or is it Grey? Lol ya that is wise to keep in mind.Here's a tip you should try now how do you contour? Do you use a bronzer? Ok do your routine as so now go outside and take a side profile pic do you see a line? Is it blended? Is it obvious what your trying to do? If so you need to change your guilty pleasure of the Bronze Monster and step away from THE BRONZE and also check your blend skills because it should not be obvious even with the sculpting powder.Remember we all look great straight forward but when you turn your head side profile mistakes is a dead give away and not best flattering when it comes to makeup.Can I contour with contour product and bronze over? Yes you can because it's two different techniques and products that could help each other to enhance your look same goes for highlighting but be light handed with it all because you also may add your blush too because it all combines together with a great look versus a washed out look.You don't have to use earth tone bronze all the time for a glow,you can use rose tone,honey tone,ect. But this is Honesty from me, it will not look well if you choose to use the Bronze for other purposes then what it's main purpose is for it's not going to ever look subtle or work for the TRUE finish of contouring at all it's a product for a different purpose But it's A tanning Glow After the Fact of sculpt if need be.(Everything looks so pretty on film & picture's but in person the true effect is not so subtle when it comes to bronzer) Avoid the muddy face and if your oily use a setting powder first before applying your powder bronze for your glow and if your dry try a liquid, cream bronze after all it's all on you! if you want a tan look sunkissed glow finish..When your oily and just apply bronze it's such a streaky finish and patchy so be wise with it.Remember Contour Sculpt products and Bronzer products are 2 different things for 2 different purposes and finish but both enhance a look like sisters lol.both may be a hint or 2 darker it's all on skin tone so keep that in mind,but must be well blended and not obvious because in the end you don't want to look back and wonder what you were thinking and why no one told you about your dark Red lines down your face.Think of it this way too your creating an illusion of structure not on illusion of side burns lol hope this helps beauties  :-)

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

Miffi..me too!! I'm going to get the It Cosmetics Contour kit and start from scratch.

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

Thank you, Alma. :)

Mar 19, 2014

Miffi M.

Thank you!

Mar 19, 2014

Miffi M.

Rozberry, that looks like a good contour kit and it got a good review on amazon. I think I'm going to look at some Youtube videos on contouring and see what the people there recommend before choosing what's perfect for me :-)
Still can't believe that I've been doing it wrong since watching wayne's video >.<

Mar 19, 2014

Roz X.

I saw raves on it at the Sephora website as well and I adore their CC cream. Traci recommended it. The Anastasia one looks sweet as well.

Mar 19, 2014

Alma M.

Your welcome Rozberry :) ^ I agree with Jackie

Mar 19, 2014

Shannon S.

I think it just looks to over powering.