Beauty FYI: Contour vs Bronzer

by BR Amelia

One of the many reasons I love playing with makeup is the transformation process. I adore seeing my skin tone even out, my eyes become bigger, my nose become thinner, my cheeks become, er, cheekier. A big part of my process when going full glam is using contour and bronzer to enhance, to recede, to bring forth areas of my face. But what's the difference between contour and bronzer? Do you need both? Can they be swapped out for each other? And even if they can be used in place of each other - should you? Read on...

The beauty basics.

The point of using contour and bronzer is to add dimension and depth to the face, however this does not make them the same.

Bronzer is a warm-toned powder, cream or liquid that you apply to the areas of your face that would be naturally kissed by the sun, such as the forehead, the tops of your cheeks, and the bridge of your nose. The overall goal of using bronzer is to create warmth to the skin.

Contour, however, is a matte powder, cream or liquid that we apply to the areas of our face that we want to look more sculpted. The idea is to create a shadow that sees the area recede. You can do this in the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, your hairline (especially if you're wanting to shorten a long forehead), and under and along the jawline. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Can you use contour as bronzer?

Contour is meant to look like a shadow, so if you're wanting to look like you've a shadow on your upper cheekbones, by all means go ahead and use contour as bronzer. (Personally, I wouldn't recommend that.) That being said, if you have a contour which is warmer in tone, and isn't likely to leave your skin looking ashy, then it could be used as a bronzer.

Can you use bronzer as contour?

Again, this depends on the bronzer. If your bronzer is sparkly, I would be weary of placing it in areas where you are trying to create a shadow in order to make the area recede, as it will draw attention to said areas. If your bronzer is not shimmery and has a cool undertone, it could very well work as a contour.

The final FYI...

Should you choose a cream, liquid or powder contour or bronzer? That's entirely pesonal preference. Personally, I prefer powder bronzer but cream contour. Just don't forget that for best application you'll want to to apply creams and/or liquids before powders. Also, contouring before bronzing will see you achieve the best result.

One last piece of advice...

When it comes to creating shape with makeup the biggest thing to remember is to have fun. Experiment. Find YouTube tutorials and try them out. Discover what works on you, where it works on you, and if it works on you. If you're not loving what you're seeing simply wash it off. And if you are loving playing with contour and/or bronzer? You've just opened up a brand new chapter of makeup loving fun.

So, my beauties, are you a fan of contour and/or bronzer? Do you prefer one over the other? Have you been contouring and bronzing correctly, or have you being exuding chaotic cosmetic energy? Get chatting below!