It is a one-way ticket to looking like a million bucks, but it is also very tricky to pull off. Read on to ace the art of contouring
Contouring adds depth and dimension to the face. It is very flattering and helps to bring out the features. While contouring, you get to decide the look you want. You can either opt for a natural look while just defining your features or go all out with a sharp, sculpted look a la Kim Kardashian. Contouring involves a fair amount of mastery over makeup and it’s easy to go wrong. However, you can easily make it work for you with these handy tips:
THE LIGHT
Look at pictures of yourself in different lights and settings. Where do you see the light hitting your face? Pay close attention and observe your T-zone, around your eyebrows, chin and eyes. It is important to understand the natural contours of your face.
PICK YOUR BEST FEATURE
Bring out your strong features to take attention away from flaws. Pick the feature you like most and make it the focal point of your face. If it’s your eyes, then highlight them. If you have a great bone structure and to-die-for cheekbones, bring them out with bronzer.
RECOGNISE FLAWS
Understanding your face is essential to contouring. Decide if you have a double chin that needs covering up or a slack jaw that must be defined. Broad noses can be slimmed down and wide foreheads can be covered. Be reasonable though, and don’t go by what people say about your face. Study your face without being overly critical.
MIND YOUR ES
Remember that you have to work in the shape of the alphabet ‘E’. Start at the hairline above your eyebrow and sweep bronzer in the hollow of your cheekbone to draw the middle line of ‘E’ while moving back towards the edge of your face. The bottom line should follow your jaw line. Don't be heavy handed though. Subtlety is key to getting it right. Start off with little product. You can build up the intensity layer by layer. Similarly use bronzer along the sides of your nose to make it look slimmer. To shorten a really long nose, dab bronzer on the tip of the nose.
CREAM FINISH
Contouring is primarily blending bronzer in the shadow areas of your face. Bronzers in cream formulas work fabulously where blending is involved. Cream-based products are best for a natural, seamless finish. Bronzer in powder finish just doesn’t cut it. You can use a highlighter in a powder formula to polish your look but contouring works best with creambased products.
BUILDING YOUR MAKEUP
There’s a certain sequence to makeup. First comes the foundation (in the formula of your choice, liquid, cream or mousse), then comes the concealer. After applying foundation, you can apply contouring makeup and highlighter. Set it with a translucent powder and retrace the ‘E’ of your contouring makeup. The powder is important to make sure your makeup doesn’t budge. You are almost done except for…
BLENDING
Contouring is incomplete without blending. After you draw the ‘E’ with the bronzer, blend it in the surrounding skin for a seamless finish. There should be no noticeable lines or patches. Use a clean brush or sponge for easy blending.
TIPS AND TRICKS USING PRIMER
Make sure you use quality products when you are contouring. You don't want your product to be runny, fade or move around your face. The safest way to make sure your contouring makeup isn't ruined is to use a primer under it. Primer fills in fine lines and ensures that makeup adheres to the face without budging for hours on end.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FINGERS
Beginners can use fingers instead of brushes to contour. Brushes need a more controlled hand and can be used when you do a somewhat decent job of contouring with your fingers. Also, fingers warm the product enabling it to glide on smoothly across the face.
TWO SHADES DARKER
The product you use for contouring should be at least two shades darker than your normal foundation. Only then will you be able to see any significant change in your features.
TWO SHADES LIGHTERContouring is incomplete without highlighting. So while your bronzer should be two shades darker, the highlighting powder you use should be two shades lighter than your foundation.
Courtesy:
Bushra S Khan
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/02&PageLabel=47&EntityId=Ar04600&ViewMode=HTML
Contouring adds depth and dimension to the face. It is very flattering and helps to bring out the features. While contouring, you get to decide the look you want. You can either opt for a natural look while just defining your features or go all out with a sharp, sculpted look a la Kim Kardashian. Contouring involves a fair amount of mastery over makeup and it’s easy to go wrong. However, you can easily make it work for you with these handy tips:
THE LIGHT
Look at pictures of yourself in different lights and settings. Where do you see the light hitting your face? Pay close attention and observe your T-zone, around your eyebrows, chin and eyes. It is important to understand the natural contours of your face.
PICK YOUR BEST FEATURE
Bring out your strong features to take attention away from flaws. Pick the feature you like most and make it the focal point of your face. If it’s your eyes, then highlight them. If you have a great bone structure and to-die-for cheekbones, bring them out with bronzer.
RECOGNISE FLAWS
Understanding your face is essential to contouring. Decide if you have a double chin that needs covering up or a slack jaw that must be defined. Broad noses can be slimmed down and wide foreheads can be covered. Be reasonable though, and don’t go by what people say about your face. Study your face without being overly critical.
MIND YOUR ES
Remember that you have to work in the shape of the alphabet ‘E’. Start at the hairline above your eyebrow and sweep bronzer in the hollow of your cheekbone to draw the middle line of ‘E’ while moving back towards the edge of your face. The bottom line should follow your jaw line. Don't be heavy handed though. Subtlety is key to getting it right. Start off with little product. You can build up the intensity layer by layer. Similarly use bronzer along the sides of your nose to make it look slimmer. To shorten a really long nose, dab bronzer on the tip of the nose.
CREAM FINISH
Contouring is primarily blending bronzer in the shadow areas of your face. Bronzers in cream formulas work fabulously where blending is involved. Cream-based products are best for a natural, seamless finish. Bronzer in powder finish just doesn’t cut it. You can use a highlighter in a powder formula to polish your look but contouring works best with creambased products.
BUILDING YOUR MAKEUP
There’s a certain sequence to makeup. First comes the foundation (in the formula of your choice, liquid, cream or mousse), then comes the concealer. After applying foundation, you can apply contouring makeup and highlighter. Set it with a translucent powder and retrace the ‘E’ of your contouring makeup. The powder is important to make sure your makeup doesn’t budge. You are almost done except for…
BLENDING
Contouring is incomplete without blending. After you draw the ‘E’ with the bronzer, blend it in the surrounding skin for a seamless finish. There should be no noticeable lines or patches. Use a clean brush or sponge for easy blending.
TIPS AND TRICKS USING PRIMER
Make sure you use quality products when you are contouring. You don't want your product to be runny, fade or move around your face. The safest way to make sure your contouring makeup isn't ruined is to use a primer under it. Primer fills in fine lines and ensures that makeup adheres to the face without budging for hours on end.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FINGERS
Beginners can use fingers instead of brushes to contour. Brushes need a more controlled hand and can be used when you do a somewhat decent job of contouring with your fingers. Also, fingers warm the product enabling it to glide on smoothly across the face.
TWO SHADES DARKER
The product you use for contouring should be at least two shades darker than your normal foundation. Only then will you be able to see any significant change in your features.
TWO SHADES LIGHTERContouring is incomplete without highlighting. So while your bronzer should be two shades darker, the highlighting powder you use should be two shades lighter than your foundation.
Courtesy:
Bushra S Khan
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/02&PageLabel=47&EntityId=Ar04600&ViewMode=HTML
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