BEGINNER CONTOUR MAKEUP TUTORIAL HOW TO
BEGINNER CONTOUR MAKEUP TUTORIAL MAC

Now that you've got the basics of how to contour down, it's time to choose the right color for your unique skin tone. Choosing the Right Contour Color for Your Skin Tone To highlight, take a clean brush and apply a light shade of color to the brow bone, the top of your cheekbones, the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, the center of your chin and the top of your cupid's bow. Taking the extra step of highlighting enhances the overall effect of contouring. Where contouring basically darkens the areas of your face that are in shadow, highlighting lightens the areas that the light would naturally hit.

Highlighting is a great complement to contouring. Our longstanding favorite is RMS Living Luminzer, and both Pati and Beau suggested Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight. 'Don't forget to add some happy color to the apple of the cheek and a bit of sheen to the cheekbones to further enhance the complexion.' Opt for a peachy-pink for a natural-looking flush (we like Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Peaceful), then add luminizer just at the top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, along your cupid's bow, and a hint on the chin for super-fresh skin. In other words? You absolutely need to blend it in. 'Use a regular foundation brush or a damp egg sponge and tap it into the contour to make sure there's no demarcation,' Pati advises. If you have a lot of sharp lines from applying your color, Pati recommends using a clean cotton pad to remove excess product. The sides of the nose and the hairline are also areas people sometimes choose to contour.

The basic places for contouring include the area under the jawline, the sides of the temples, and the hollows of your cheekbones. Use circular motions to sweep color to the areas you want to look smaller or hollow out. When applying the contour itself, build pigment as you go and use your bone structure as a guide. You also might want to check out E.L.F.'s affordable Blush Brush. Another great trick is to adapt a fan brush into your routine - E.L.F Cosmetics has a fantastic, low-priced option that's great for feathering products into the hairline, under the jawline, and around the cheekbone for a precise, airbrushed finish.

BEGINNER CONTOUR MAKEUP TUTORIAL MAC

'You should buy two, one for contouring and one for highlighting.' Just about every makeup artist in the world swears by MAC 217 Blending Brush. 'Start with a smaller, fluffy eyeshadow brush so you have more precision,' Beau says. Contouring isn't a job for full, fluffy brushes.

Beginner contour makeup tutorial