Highlighting & Contouring (9 Secret Techniques)

If you’re someone who loves makeup, you’ve probably heard of highlighting and contouring. These two techniques can transform your face, making it look more defined, chiseled, and radiant. But mastering these techniques can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the world of makeup.

In this article, we’ll share some secret techniques for highlighting and contouring that will help you achieve a flawless, sculpted look.

Highlighting & Contouring: Basics

Before we dive into the techniques, let’s first understand what highlighting and contouring are.

Highlighting is the process of using a lighter shade of makeup to accentuate certain areas of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and bridge of the nose. Contouring, on the other hand, involves using a darker shade of makeup to create shadows and define your features, such as the jawline, temples, and sides of the nose.

The goal of highlighting and contouring is to create a natural-looking shadow and light effect on your face, which can make your features appear more defined and sculpted. These techniques are particularly useful for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, or photoshoots, as they can enhance your natural beauty and make you look camera-ready.

Highlighting & Contouring: Techniques

Let’s discover common and recommended techniques to highlight and contour your face like a pro!

Find Your Face Shape: Before you start highlighting and contouring, it’s important to determine your face with eyebrows shapes threading. This will help you identify the areas of your face that you want to highlight and contour. For example, if you have a round face, you may want to contour your cheeks to create a more defined jawline. If you have a square face, you may want to highlight your cheekbones to soften your features.

Choose the Right Products: When it comes to highlighting and contouring, choosing the right products is key. You’ll need a highlighter that’s a few shades lighter than your skin tone and a contour powder or cream that’s a few shades darker than your skin tone. Learning how to maintain your skin healthy involves a consistent skincare routine and mindful lifestyle choices.

Apply in Natural Light: When applying makeup, it’s important to do so in natural light. This will help you see the true colors of your makeup and ensure that you’re not overdoing it. Find a spot near a window or go outside to apply your makeup, as this will give you the best lighting.

Blend, Blend, Blend: The key to a flawless highlighting and contouring look is blending. Use a damp beauty sponge or a fluffy brush to blend your makeup seamlessly into your skin. Make sure to blend in circular motions, starting at the edges of the highlighted or contoured area and working your way inwards.

Layer Your Products: If you want a more intense highlighting and contouring look, you can layer your products. Start with a light layer of highlighter or contour, blend it in, and then add another layer until you achieve your desired level of definition.

Use Powder for Oily Skin: If you have oily skin, it’s best to use powder products for highlighting and contouring. Powder products tend to stay on better and won’t slide off your skin as easily as cream products.

Don’t Forget to Set: Once you’ve finished highlighting and contouring, it’s important to set your makeup with a setting powder or spray. This will help your makeup stay in place and prevent it from smudging or fading throughout the day.

Conclusion

Highlighting and contouring can be intimidating, but with the right techniques, you can achieve a flawless, sculpted look. Remember to choose the right products, blend well, and apply in natural light.

With these secret techniques, you’ll be able to highlight and contour like a pro in no time.