In recent years, cheekbones have become a staple asset in almost everyone's makeup routine. With the ability to reframe and angle any face, it's no mystery why beauty gurus and novices alike are obsessing over new ways to define the sharp look. From creams to sticks, to powders to palettes, the amount of products available for contouring seems endless.
If you're struggling to achieve your contouring dreams or just need a little extra guidance, this handy list of cheekbone makeup hacks and advice will leave you well on your way to a refined look. Arm yourself with a fluffy brush and bronze powder, and prepare to live your best-contoured life.
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Find your cheekbone with a pencil
If your cheekbones aren't completely visible, perhaps due to a round facial shape, you can use a pencil to locate where you should create definition. Place a pencil on each cheek and pout. Doing this will reveal where your cheekbones begin. Keep the pencil on your face and use a contour brush to apply your contouring product just above the pencil.
If your cheekbones aren't completely visible, perhaps due to a round facial shape, you can use a pencil to locate where you should create definition. Place a pencil on each cheek and pout. Doing this will reveal where your cheekbones begin. Keep the pencil on your face and use a contour brush to apply your contouring product just above the pencil.
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Lighten areas you want to emphasize
Contouring isn't all about darkening certain areas, as you also need to create contrasting light if you want to get the most out of your makeup. Simply use translucent power on your mid-forehead, high points of your cheek, under your eyes, under your contour and on your nose and chin. You can do so by using a beauty blender for application. This will illuminate your face and create further depth in your contour.
Contouring isn't all about darkening certain areas, as you also need to create contrasting light if you want to get the most out of your makeup. Simply use translucent power on your mid-forehead, high points of your cheek, under your eyes, under your contour and on your nose and chin. You can do so by using a beauty blender for application. This will illuminate your face and create further depth in your contour.
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Apply contour to the right areas, using the right shade
Once you've found the correct location for your contour by using a pencil or another straight object, you should then ensure you're using the right shade for your skin tone. Choose a cool tone two or three shades darker than your natural skin. Essentially, you should be using a tanned version of your own skin.
Once you've found the correct location for your contour by using a pencil or another straight object, you should then ensure you're using the right shade for your skin tone. Choose a cool tone two or three shades darker than your natural skin. Essentially, you should be using a tanned version of your own skin.
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Apply highlighter in the right areas
Besides lightening certain areas for a dynamic look, you should also consider highlighting as an important aspect. Using a highlighter brush or even your fingers, apply highlighter to the center of your forehead, cheekbones and the shine of your nose. As you can tell in the photos below, the simple transformation makes a huge difference.
Besides lightening certain areas for a dynamic look, you should also consider highlighting as an important aspect. Using a highlighter brush or even your fingers, apply highlighter to the center of your forehead, cheekbones and the shine of your nose. As you can tell in the photos below, the simple transformation makes a huge difference.
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Apply brush in the right areas (show right vs. wrong)
Sucking your cheeks in and contouring all the way to your mouth may seem like a good idea at first, but it won't create the natural definition you desire. Instead, keep your face relaxed and apply the contour higher up on your cheekbones, blending toward your ears rather than toward your chin.
Sucking your cheeks in and contouring all the way to your mouth may seem like a good idea at first, but it won't create the natural definition you desire. Instead, keep your face relaxed and apply the contour higher up on your cheekbones, blending toward your ears rather than toward your chin.
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Make sure you blend everything the right way
Using your brush correctly and taking care of how you blend is extremely important when contouring. You should blend gently in back and forth motions, following the natural stroke of your makeup brush. Avoid applying too much pressure and fanning out your brush.
Using your brush correctly and taking care of how you blend is extremely important when contouring. You should blend gently in back and forth motions, following the natural stroke of your makeup brush. Avoid applying too much pressure and fanning out your brush.
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Add shimmer for that extra glow
To really make your contour pop, add some shimmering loose highlighter just above your contour with a small brush. This will accentuate the contour beneath and tie together your overall glam look.
To really make your contour pop, add some shimmering loose highlighter just above your contour with a small brush. This will accentuate the contour beneath and tie together your overall glam look.
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