Recently I've become really interested in facial contouring. Contouring is a special make-up technique which is used to change the appearance of the face. The main reason for my sudden interest is that I feel I've gained a bit of weight on my face. So me being typical lazy me, instead of just trying to stick to a diet and lose weight (yeah... I obviously love my food more than my face ha), Ill take any cheat option there is and contouring the face is one of them. When this is done properly it can change the entire look of your face.
There are normally two methods used to contour the face. Applying a foundation up to 2 shades darker than your normal shade, or powders or bronzers. By applying a dark tone, you create a false shadow, making it appear as if there is depth. Basically you create shadows on both sides of the face, and under the jaw line to make it appear more slim. Using foundation is probably the best bet to get a natural look, but powders or bronzers are much easier to work with. Contouring products should always be matte though, as you're creating an illusion of shadows on your face. You don't want these shadows to sparkle or shimmer. As contouring help recede some features a highlighter is often used on the cheek bones to trick the eyes and make cheekbones appear to stand out and pull the attention towards them.
One tip to remember when contouring though, is ALWAYS blend well for a natural effect. You seriously don't want to end up walking down the street with 2 brown lines along either side of your face and a dirty looking jaw line.... *shakes head* that would just be contouring failure.
So while I can only dream of having natural facial features like this: 
Im gunna use the products my pennies bought me and try my hardest to make my face appear a bit slimmer ha! Wait... is that natural or contouring trickery though? Hmmmm.
So is contouring part of your daily make up routine?
I try to contour, haven't quite got the hang of it properly though!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I think her facial features are natural. How depressing?!
Lisa x
By contouring the most i do is use a darker bronzer undercheekbone and a lighter one on the cheekbone itself. I can not be arsed to spend hours sitting with 10 powders reshaping my bumpy bits lol.. unlike my mum who is a pro at atraightening out her nose etc!! xx
ReplyDeletei always cnmy cheeks..evry single day!
ReplyDeletebut nowhere else!
Blending is definitely essential.. I hate it when people contour with bronzer but don't blend it well.. Looks real scary!
ReplyDeleteI personally highlight my cheekbones.. Best trick for a fresh looking face! :)
It's not a part of my daily one, but for a night out or something I definitely do. I haven't got the time or energy to do it everyday lol xx
ReplyDeleteHey, nice post. I usually forget to contour. But when I do remember I just use my 168 brush and some bronzer. It makes my face look way thinner. i'm obsessed with cheekbones. when i go on weight loss kicks, i mostly do it to get a thin face rather than a small bum, lol
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Sometimes I'll countour with the MAC sculpt and shape, which works wonders. Then I'll slap some highlighter on (MAC cream colour base in Pearl) and I'm good to go! I don't do this everyday, mind... To little time in the morning for that! :)
ReplyDeleteContouring is a must for me, since I have a very round face. Normally for everyday I just add a touch of contour under my cheekbones. I love using MAC Sculpting powder or Benefit Hoola to contour as neither are shimmery :-)
ReplyDeleteI really want to learn how to contour so my fat lumpy face has some shape!
ReplyDeleteYep, I always contour now! My favourite poducts to use are Barry M's Natural Dazzle, Sleek's Contouring Kit and Bobbi Brown's Bronzer. x
ReplyDeleteContouring is quite useful for me but I have quite a masculine jawline so I can't do too much bronzer on the bottom half of my face or it just emphasis that. x
ReplyDeleteI never contour because the last time I did my face looked rounder than it normally does, I looked like a beachball made out of bronzey tones. I think one of the problems I have is that there are no guides out there for girls with darker skin but I've seen GossMakeupArtist's video which I LOVED so am going to try and re-create that because I saw how it really worked.
ReplyDeletei do a little bit of contouring here and there, but i nvr get to master the art of it like those "supermodels" haha.
ReplyDeleteEeek, I never, ever do this! But from the look of that photo, the results are amazing! I bet she had a little help from Mother Nature, however. :)
ReplyDeleteI watched Marlena's video on YouTube about contouring, then I tried and promptly failed haha. Maybe one day I'll get the hang of it! xx
ReplyDeleteI don't countour because I end up looking weird! Thanks for the post - great tips.
ReplyDeleteClaire xx
I contour everyday, I actually cannot live without it. I find any bronzer will do the trick along with a slanted blish brush. x
ReplyDeleteI have such a round face, so usually do contour. I love doing it :) xo
ReplyDeleteFab post hunny!! We learnt contourong on my make-up course, I couldnt believe what a difference it made.
ReplyDeleteI dont normally do it every day, but I want to start doing it for my night make-up. I've got a fan brush which is fab for contouring and just bought some dark powder from e.l.f. I'll let you know how I get on!! xxx
Thank you so much for all your comments Ladies, its been interesting reading about how you all feel about contouring and which of you do it and which of you don't.
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Yes! I HAVE to contour. I contour with a concealer that is a shade darker than my skin tone, however due to the winter, I think I've become paler because the concealer is showing up orangier and browner than it used to! Before it was perfect on my skin tone.
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