Each day, when you pick out your clothes, you make choices about which features to enhance or minimize. Luckily, makeup allows you to do something similar. You probably already know how to make the most of your eyes or cheekbones, but if you're less than thrilled with the shape of your nose, you have choices there as well.
Every nose is perfect...although some people think otherwise. If you feel like yours doesn't suit your face, don't rush to the plastic surgeon just yet. Contouring can solve many problems...at least temporarily, so grab your tools and give these tricks a try.
Advertisement
1. Start with the right shades
Contour shades are intended to be cool, but some products can skew orange. Make sure that your contour shade (which creates the shadow) has a cool undertone for the best result. Tip: Some eye shadow and blush shades are great for contouring, so shop creatively, and you may find a real bargain.
Contour shades are intended to be cool, but some products can skew orange. Make sure that your contour shade (which creates the shadow) has a cool undertone for the best result. Tip: Some eye shadow and blush shades are great for contouring, so shop creatively, and you may find a real bargain.
2. Use bronzer with caution
Sadly, some "contour" products are actually just mislabeled bronzers. Most bronzers have a warm undertone, and many contain very fine shimmery particles. A true contour shade should be perfectly matte.
Sadly, some "contour" products are actually just mislabeled bronzers. Most bronzers have a warm undertone, and many contain very fine shimmery particles. A true contour shade should be perfectly matte.
3. Get your alignment right (h/t hudabeauty)
If you've watched many YouTube videos, you've probably seen contoured noses that look sharp enough to slice through a stick of butter. This happens when you draw your lines too close together. Use your inner eyebrow and the center of your nostril as a guide for the most natural effect.
If you've watched many YouTube videos, you've probably seen contoured noses that look sharp enough to slice through a stick of butter. This happens when you draw your lines too close together. Use your inner eyebrow and the center of your nostril as a guide for the most natural effect.
4. Blend, blend, blend (h/t Howcast)
Be sure to blur your contour line out toward your face (never inward). If you can still see a strong line, go back and touch it up again. Obvious contouring looks harsh and unnatural.
Be sure to blur your contour line out toward your face (never inward). If you can still see a strong line, go back and touch it up again. Obvious contouring looks harsh and unnatural.
5. Add your inner highlight
To balance the contour shade, you need to add a touch of brightness to the center of your nose. The wider the highlight, the broader your nose will look. Tip: Avoid anything shimmery here. Your concealer may also work.
To balance the contour shade, you need to add a touch of brightness to the center of your nose. The wider the highlight, the broader your nose will look. Tip: Avoid anything shimmery here. Your concealer may also work.
Advertisement
6. Set with powder or finishing spray
Have you ever thought about how many times you touch your nose during the day? You probably do it a lot, so be sure to set your contour with either finishing powder or setting spray to keep your perfect work intact.
Have you ever thought about how many times you touch your nose during the day? You probably do it a lot, so be sure to set your contour with either finishing powder or setting spray to keep your perfect work intact.