Contouring is like the fairy godmother of makeup; a few strokes here, a dab there, and voila! You've transformed your beautiful round face into a sculpted work of art.
It's not about changing who you are, but rather, enhancing your natural beauty and giving yourself that extra boost of confidence. So, grab your makeup brushes, and let's dive into the enchanting world of contouring.
What Is Contouring?
Contouring, in the simplest terms, is the art of using makeup to define, enhance, and sculpt the structure of your face. It's like a real-life Photoshop tool, but way cooler. By playing with shadows and light, contouring can help emphasize your best features and soften others.
Want more defined cheekbones? A more pronounced jawline? Contouring has got you covered. It's all about creating depth and dimension and adding a bit of dramatic flair to your makeup routine.
Understanding Your Face Shape
Before you start painting your face like a Renaissance artist, it's important to understand your canvas — your face shape. Why, you ask? Because the contouring techniques you use can change drastically depending on your face shape.
So, let's talk about our star of the day — the round face. Characterized by its almost equal width and length, full cheeks, and soft, rounded chin, round faces are cute, youthful, and full of charm (think Selena Gomez or Chrissy Teigen).
When contouring a round face, the goal is typically to elongate the face and add definition to your features. But remember, every face is unique, and beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Contouring isn't about fitting into a mold but enhancing what makes you, you.
So, let's grab those makeup brushes and get to work, shall we?
What Products Do You Need To Contour?
Contouring may sound complicated, but when it comes to products, it's actually quite simple. Here's a quick list of must-haves for your contouring adventure:
Contouring Product: This could be a cream or powder, and it should be a shade or two darker than your skin tone to create depth and shadow. For our beginners out there, creams might be easier to blend.
Highlighter: A product lighter than your skin tone to bring out your features. This could be a cream, powder, or even a concealer. Light-reflecting formulas can give that beautiful glowy effect.
Blending Brushes or Sponges: A fluffy brush or blending sponge is key to ensure your contouring and highlighting look seamless.
Setting Powder: This will keep everything in place, because who wants their masterpiece to smudge?
Step-by-Step Guide to Contouring a Round Face
Alright, it's showtime, sis — let's break down how to contour a round face, step by step.
Step 1: Prep Your Canvas
Before you start playing with colors, it’s important to set the perfect base. Start off with a fresh, clean face. Follow your usual skincare routine — cleanse, tone, moisturize — your skin will thank you for it.
Once you've let your moisturizer sink in, apply your favorite foundation. This will even out your skin tone and provide a smooth canvas for the contouring magic you're about to perform.
Step 2: Map Your Face
Now comes the strategic part. Take your contouring product (cream or powder, whatever you're more comfortable with) and imagine a line from the middle of your ears toward the corners of your mouth. Now draw that line, slightly curving it downwards like a softly drawn parenthesis.
This will be the guideline for your cheekbone contouring. Want a slimming effect? Apply some contour along the jawline and the sides of your forehead. These lines will help create shadows, giving an illusion of a more chiseled face structure.
Step 3: Highlight
Next up is highlighting, the yin to contour's yang. Apply your highlighter down the center of your nose to make it appear slimmer. Apply under the eyes, drawing a triangle shape pointing towards the cheeks. This will brighten up the under-eye area and make your cheeks pop.
Don't forget a dab in the center of your forehead and a touch on the chin. This central lightness works to bring attention to the middle of your face, contributing to the overall sculpting effect.
Step 4: Blend, Blend, and Blend Some More
Now, it’s time to blend it all together. Use a blending brush or sponge to smoothly blend out the contour and highlight until there are no harsh lines. It's important to be gentle and patient with this step.
You're aiming for a soft, natural look where the transitions between light and shadow are seamless. Remember, blending is the key to making your contouring look natural and professional.
What Are Some Dos and Don’ts When Contouring a Round Face?
Contouring can be a game-changer, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you're making the most out of this makeup technique.
Do:
Blend upwards: When you're blending the contour on your cheeks, always blend upwards. This technique helps lift your face and enhance your bone structure, giving you a fresh and youthful appearance.
Experiment with products: Don't shy away from trying different types of contour products. Creams, powders, sticks — they all offer unique benefits and finishes. Finding the perfect product for you can make all the difference.
Mind the shade: Using the right shade for contouring is crucial. It should be one to two shades darker than your skin tone. If it's too dark, it may end up looking unnatural and harsh.
Don't neglect other areas When contouring, don't just focus on your cheeks. Contouring your jawline and forehead is just as important. It helps create a balanced, harmonious look.
Practice makes perfect: Just like winged eyeliner, contouring may take a few tries to get right. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't look perfect on your first try.
Don't:
Over-contour: More is not always better, especially when it comes to contouring. Start with a light hand and build the color gradually. Over-contouring can make your makeup look heavy and unnatural.
Use the wrong undertones: Pay attention to the undertones of your contour product. If it's too warm, it might end up looking more like bronzer than contour, and if it's too cool, it could make your skin look ashy.
Leave harsh lines: The key to natural-looking contouring is seamless blending. Don't leave harsh lines, as they can make the contour look stark and unflattering.
Ignore your skin type: Your skin type matters when choosing contouring products
. If you have oily skin, a powder contour may work best for you, while those with dry skin might prefer a cream contour.
Forget to set your makeup: Always set your contouring with a setting powder or spray. This will ensure your beautifully contoured face stays put throughout the day, come rain or shine.
How Can You Take Your Contouring Game to the Next Level?
Once you've mastered the basics, you can start experimenting and taking your contouring game to the next level.
Here are a few advanced tips:
Use multiple shades: For an even more sculpted look, use two contour shades - one slightly darker than the other. Apply the darker shade in the areas where you want the most depth, and use the lighter shade for a softer contour.
Experiment with color correcting: If you have specific areas you want to target, such as redness or dark circles,
consider using color correctors
before applying your contour. For instance, a green corrector can neutralize redness, while a peach corrector can counteract under-eye darkness. This additional step can enhance the overall effectiveness of your contouring.
Add blush: Blush brings warmth and life back to your face after contouring. Apply it on the apples of your cheeks, blending it with your contour for a seamless look.
Contour your nose: Take your contouring skills to new heights by sculpting your nose. Apply a thin line of contour shade on each side of the nose, starting from the bridge and extending towards the tip. Blend it well for a seamless look. This technique can help create the illusion of a more refined and slender nose shape.
Try baking: This technique involves applying a heavy amount of translucent powder over your highlighter, letting it sit (or “bake”) for five to 10 minutes, and then dusting it off. The heat from your skin sets the makeup, leaving you with a creaseless, flawless finish.
Conclusion
Contouring can seem intimidating at first, especially for round faces, but with the right techniques and a bit of practice, anyone can master it. Remember, it's all about enhancing your natural beauty and having fun with makeup.
So grab your brushes and start contouring like a pro — and for more female lifestyle content, don't forget to check out 10PM Curfew.
Sources:
How to Contour: Master Makeup Contouring in 6 Easy Steps | MasterClass
Know Your Skin Type Before Choosing Skin Care Products | Cleveland Clinic
Best Powder Highlighters: Top 5 Shimmering Products | Study Finds
Your Guide To Color Correctors: How To Use + 4 Best Products | mindbodygreen