Deepika Padukone, Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Kim Kardashian. When you hear these names, you instantly think of their perfectly sculpted faces; sharp, defined, and flawless. While these lovely ladies have natural beauty, contouring takes their facial features and enhances them, making them look ethereal and glamorous. Individuals in the limelight must attend many events and need this technique to make them stand out and do justice to the designer they represent. So, “what is face contouring“, you may ask. Read on to learn more!

Here, you will learn how to contour your face, contour techniques and tips, and much more so you can be equipped with sufficient knowledge to start your makeup artist journey!

Face Contouring: An Overview

Face contouring is a fascinating technique for manipulating your facial features. You can make your node appear slimmer or smaller, your eyes appear bigger than they are, and you can even shave off those extra chins.

This amazing non-surgical and non-invasive technique uses basic makeup everyone can use, such as concealer, highlight and bronzer and a range of brushes to get the desired look.

Here’s a trip down history’s memory lane that illustrate where contour started and where it is today.

Contouring has been around for decades, since the 1500s. Stage actors in the Elizabethan era used this technique so the audience could read their expressions better. It is definitely not what we know it to be today; they could cake their face with makeup to highlight their expressions.

In the 1900s, contouring made its way to film. Makeup artists understood the importance of balancing lighting and shadows and how to make actors’ faces flattering to the camera. Actresses like Marlyn Monroe, Audry Hepburn, and even our own Zeenath Aman played with makeup looks to exaggerate their eyes and lips.

In 1945, legendary makeup artist Max Factor’s makeup school released a tutorial video going over the step-by-step contouring process; it even included how different shapes can affect the process.

Cut to the 2010s and onward, the makeup world’s turning point. Kim Kardashian posted a before and after picture on Twitter showing off her perfect makeup look by Scott Barns. This makeup-look spread like wildfire, and everyone was hooked!

From small and big YouTubers portraying their own version of the contour look to Instagram models/influencers to even the top models and beauty moguls. Contour face makeup is a trend that will live on forever! For more information on makeup, read here.

What is Used for Face Contouring: Products

Contouring facial features is achieved by applying light and dark foundation tones. It is done to intensify, accentuate or slim down particular features that otherwise won’t stand out on their own.

You can achieve the perfect contour use in makeup by balancing the application of light and dark foundation, concealer and bronzer on the cheekbones, nose, forehead, jawline and neck.

The tools used are:

• Contour Brush: This angled brush is perfect for sculpting the face and is available in all drug stores.
• Blending Sponges: Blend, blend and blend for seamless transitions between tones and colours. A blending sponge is vital to achieving smooth coverage. It is advised to wet it before use for smoother application.
• Powder Brush: A fluffy and wide powder brush sets the face at the end to smooth out the look and prevent it from looking too cakey.
• Liquid, cream or powder contour: They differ in texture for different skin types. For example, do not use a cream contour if you have oily skin, powder contour gives a more matte effect.

Other products include colour corrector, foundation, concealer, contour palette, bronzer, highlighter, blush and setting spray.

How to Apply Contour on the Face

Now comes the most important step, how to contour and conceal your face.

Step 1

You must first create a smooth and even base to ensure that all products look great and set consistently when you contour the entire face. Start with your skincare; don’t forget to wear sunscreen. You don’t want to be adding makeup to dry and dehydrated skin. Moisturise your face thoroughly, and for a seamless base, apply primer.

Step 2

Pick the right shade. A rule of thumb is to select the foundation shade, preferably two shades darker than your skin tone. It will even out once you apply concealer. Find the right tone for your skin; there are warm and cool tones. For a more olive or yellow undertone, warm tones suit best. If you have a pink undertone, cool tones are suitable.

Step 3

After prepping your skin, thoroughly blend your foundation into your skin. Next, use concealer under the eyes, nose, and face to hide dark spots and pigmentation.

Next, identify where the shadows fall on your face and the darker shades in your contour palate to add dimension. Use it under the cheekbones to get a chiselled look, the sides and bridge of your nose, your jawline and the circumference of your face. Thoroughly blend.

The difference between contour and concealer is concealer hides dark spots, whereas concealer highlights and enhances your face shape.

Use a setting powder on your T-zone and bake. Baking helps set your makeup in place, gives it an airbrushed look, and removes access. Use highlighter on the high points of your face and add blush to liven up your look. Finally, use a setting spray to blend it all together.

Here are some face contouring tips to keep in mind.

• Do not forget to prep your skin before applying makeup.
• Wet the beauty blender before use.
• Use a colour corrector to even out the skin tone.
• Less is always more, do not cake on the makeup, or you’ll risk cracking and fine lines being accentuated.
• Do not forget the power of blending.

Conclusion

If you have always loved makeup and wanted to know “what is face contouring?” here you have it! The demand for beauty products is very high globally, and the value of the role of cosmetics is rising daily in India.

There are also numerous exciting career opportunities in the makeup sector. You can be part of the film industry, an agency or a freelancer. According to Ambition Box, salaries start from INR 2-4 lakhs annually.

Enrol in a Diploma course in Makeup and Hairstyle Artistry at JD Institute of Fashion Technology to benefit from modern, well-structured instruction and a complete, all-encompassing learning experience!