Contouring products are a blessing and a gift. They allow us to temporarily alter our appearance and even fake those sky high cheekbones. But despite the best efforts of makeup manufacturers, we can't (and shouldn't) all follow the same approach.
Much like round faces lack discernible edges, square faces have a few too many. Contouring, my friends, can soften your jaw line, fake curves in your upper forehead, and give you the appearance of even losing a few pounds (in your face, that is).
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1. Soften the corners of your forehead
If you feel like your forehead is too square, just round out the upper corners by applying your contour shade in a curved motion. Think about creating a half moon of light in the center. This is where you'll follow up with highlighter.
If you feel like your forehead is too square, just round out the upper corners by applying your contour shade in a curved motion. Think about creating a half moon of light in the center. This is where you'll follow up with highlighter.
2. Avoid your temples
Since the sides of your face may appear straight naturally, avoid using a contour shade on the temples. This will draw unnecessary attention and can even make them look sunken.
Since the sides of your face may appear straight naturally, avoid using a contour shade on the temples. This will draw unnecessary attention and can even make them look sunken.
3. Contour your nose with a fluffy eye shadow brush
You can achieve the appearance of a thinner nose by applying a line on each side of your nose. Just be careful not to get the lines too close together.
You can achieve the appearance of a thinner nose by applying a line on each side of your nose. Just be careful not to get the lines too close together.
4. Create a hollow under your cheekbone
In a diagonal line, brush the contour shade from the top of your ear down toward your nose. Place two fingers next to your nose. This is your stopping point. Tip: Be extra careful not to bring the contour all the way down to your mouth. The line will be too harsh.
In a diagonal line, brush the contour shade from the top of your ear down toward your nose. Place two fingers next to your nose. This is your stopping point. Tip: Be extra careful not to bring the contour all the way down to your mouth. The line will be too harsh.
5. Soften your jawline
Much like the way you contoured your forehead, repeat the same application on both sides of your jaw. Remember to keep the contour on the face. If it slips under the jaw bone, it won't be visible.
Much like the way you contoured your forehead, repeat the same application on both sides of your jaw. Remember to keep the contour on the face. If it slips under the jaw bone, it won't be visible.
6. Time for the lights
With your contour in place, it's time to add some highlights. You want to bring the focus to the center of your face, so apply a lighter shade to the center of your forehead, the area below your eyes, the bridge of the nose, under the hollows of your cheeks, and the center of the chin.
With your contour in place, it's time to add some highlights. You want to bring the focus to the center of your face, so apply a lighter shade to the center of your forehead, the area below your eyes, the bridge of the nose, under the hollows of your cheeks, and the center of the chin.
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7. Finalize by blending
With everything in place, it's important to meld the edges together. Buff your forehead and chin with a soft blending brush. If you've applied blush or bronzer on your cheeks, follow up there as well to make sure all the edges disappear.
With everything in place, it's important to meld the edges together. Buff your forehead and chin with a soft blending brush. If you've applied blush or bronzer on your cheeks, follow up there as well to make sure all the edges disappear.