How To Contour and Highlight Like a Pro

Contouring and highlighting are makeup techniques that have revolutionized the beauty industry, giving people the ability to enhance their facial features and create a more sculpted, defined look. These techniques, which were once considered a secret known only to professional makeup artists, have become part of the everyday makeup routine for many. If you're looking to contour and highlight like a pro, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll break down the fundamentals of contouring and highlighting, step-by-step, so you can master these techniques and achieve a flawless, radiant complexion.

What is Contouring and Highlighting?

Before diving into the how-to, it's essential to understand what contouring and highlighting are.

Contouring

Contouring is a makeup technique used to define or reshape certain areas of the face by using darker shades of makeup. The goal is to create shadows that mimic the natural structure of the face, giving it more definition. Contouring can help slim down the face, emphasize cheekbones, and create the illusion of a sharper jawline or a more defined nose.

Highlighting

Highlighting, on the other hand, involves using lighter shades to accentuate the high points of your face where light naturally hits. The aim is to bring attention to these areas and create a glowing, luminous appearance. Highlighters are typically applied to the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the forehead, and the cupid's bow.

Both contouring and highlighting are meant to work together to create balance and dimension, giving your face a sculpted, glowing look.

Step-by-Step Guide to Contouring and Highlighting

Now that we understand the basics, let's break down how to contour and highlight like a professional.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before applying any makeup, it's important to start with clean, hydrated skin. Prep your face with a good moisturizer, especially if you have dry skin, as this will ensure that your makeup goes on smoothly. Follow up with a primer to create a smooth base for your makeup and to help it last longer.

Pro Tip: Use a mattifying primer if you have oily skin and a hydrating primer if you have dry skin.

Step 2: Apply Foundation

Once your skin is prepped, apply your foundation as you normally would. Foundation is the base of your makeup look, and it creates an even canvas for contouring and highlighting. You can use a liquid, cream, or powder foundation---whichever works best for your skin type.

When applying foundation, make sure to blend it well into your skin to avoid any visible lines or patches. A makeup sponge or brush can help you achieve an airbrushed finish.

Step 3: Choose the Right Contour and Highlight Products

The next step in contouring and highlighting is choosing the right products for your skin tone. Contour products are usually a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, while highlight products are lighter.

• Contour Products: These can be cream, powder, or stick formulations. For powder contours, look for products that are matte, as shimmer contours can make the face look muddy. Cream contours are ideal for more natural or dewy finishes.
• Highlight Products: Highlighters come in various forms---liquid, cream, and powder. Liquid and cream highlighters are great for achieving a more natural, dewy glow, while powder highlighters are better for an intense, gleaming shine. Choose a highlighter that's a few shades lighter than your foundation.

Pro Tip: If you're new to contouring, start with a contour stick or cream product, as these are easier to blend and build up.

Step 4: Mapping Your Contour

Now it's time to apply the contour. There are several key areas where you'll want to apply contour to sculpt and define your face:

1. Cheeks: To create the illusion of higher cheekbones, apply contour to the hollows of your cheeks. To find the hollows, suck in your cheeks or make a fish face. Then, use a contour product to trace along the lines, starting from your ear and stopping just below the middle of your cheek.
2. Jawline: To define your jawline and give the appearance of a sharper chin, apply contour along the edges of your jaw. This will create a shadow that makes the jawline look more pronounced.
3. Nose: If you want to slim down your nose, contour the sides of your nose. Apply a thin line of contour along both sides of your nose and blend well. Be sure not to make the lines too harsh---natural-looking contouring is all about subtlety.
4. Forehead: If you have a large forehead and want to make it look smaller, apply contour along your hairline, blending downward into your temples.
5. Temples: Apply contour to the temples if you want to add more depth to the sides of your face.

Step 5: Blending the Contour

Blending is the key to a seamless contour. Use a makeup sponge or a dense, angled brush to blend the contour into your skin. Make sure to blend upwards towards your hairline and downwards towards your jawline to avoid harsh lines.

Pro Tip: Use a damp makeup sponge for blending. The dampness helps the contour blend more seamlessly into the skin, giving a more natural look.

Step 6: Mapping Your Highlight

Once your contour is blended, it's time to apply your highlight. The goal is to accentuate the high points of your face, where light naturally hits. These areas typically include:

1. Cheekbones: Apply highlight to the tops of your cheekbones, just above where you contoured. This will draw attention to this area and create a lifted look.
2. Nose: Apply highlight along the bridge of your nose, starting from the tip and blending upwards to the brow bone. This creates the illusion of a slimmer, more defined nose.
3. Cupid's Bow: Apply a small amount of highlight to your cupid's bow, the area just above your upper lip. This will make your lips appear fuller and more defined.
4. Center of the Forehead: Dab a little highlight to the center of your forehead, between your eyebrows, to give a subtle, luminous effect.
5. Chin: A small amount of highlight on the chin can bring balance to the face and add a bit of glow to the lower half of the face.

Step 7: Blending the Highlight

Just like contour, blending is key for highlight. Use a clean makeup sponge or brush to blend the highlight into your skin. Make sure there are no harsh lines, as the goal is to create a soft, glowing effect.

Pro Tip: When blending highlighter on the cheekbones, blend in a circular motion to prevent streaks and create a natural finish.

Step 8: Setting Your Makeup

To make sure your contour and highlight last all day, set your makeup with a translucent powder or setting spray. You can use a light dusting of powder to set your face, especially if you have oily skin. If you have dry skin, you might prefer to skip the powder and go straight to setting spray to keep your makeup dewy and fresh.

Pro Tip: To set your makeup without losing the glow, use a setting spray that has a dewy finish.

Tips for Contouring and Highlighting Like a Pro

While the basics of contouring and highlighting are simple, there are a few tips and tricks to make your makeup look even more professional.

1. Choose the Right Tools

The tools you use can make a significant difference in how well your contour and highlight blend. Use brushes that are specifically designed for contouring, such as angled brushes for precision. A beauty sponge is essential for blending, especially for cream or liquid products.

2. Understand Your Face Shape

The key to successful contouring is understanding your unique face shape. Not every face shape needs contour in the same areas. For example, oval faces may not need contour along the forehead, while round faces can benefit from contouring along the jawline. Assess your face shape and adjust your contour placement accordingly.

3. Don't Overdo It

Contouring and highlighting are about subtlety. It's easy to get carried away, but remember that the best contouring is often the most natural-looking. Start with light layers of product, and gradually build them up if needed. You can always add more, but it's harder to take away once it's applied.

4. Use the Right Shades for Your Skin Tone

When choosing contour and highlight shades, make sure they are suitable for your skin tone. For contouring, choose shades that are one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. For highlighting, choose shades that are one or two shades lighter. If you have fair skin, look for cool-toned contour products and champagne or pearl highlights. For deeper skin tones, opt for warm-toned contours and golden or bronze highlights.

Conclusion

Contouring and highlighting like a pro takes practice, but with the right techniques, tools, and products, you can enhance your features and create a beautifully sculpted look. The key to success lies in blending, understanding your face shape, and knowing how to apply products in a way that enhances your natural beauty. Whether you're a makeup newbie or a seasoned pro, following these steps will help you achieve a flawless, glowing look every time. With time and experience, contouring and highlighting will become second nature, allowing you to elevate your makeup game to new heights.

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