Article by BR Kellie
It is said ‘Beauty Review never sleeps’, and I’m inclined to believe it. I’m also inclined to add to that ‘Beauty Review is always watching’ – like a really glamorous Big Brother (Sassy Sister?!) – and we couldn’t help but notice a thread on the forum where you gals talked about something you don’t do.
One of the big yeah-nahs brought up in the conversation was contouring. You know what, I can’t blame you. It’s scary! I only started doing it after a makeup artist showed me how, and even then I use the lightest touch for fear I’ll walk out of the bathroom looking like I’ve had a tussle in a mud puddle.
So what’s a girl to do? Shun it altogether? Or hide out in the bathroom and discover a way to brighten your skin and contour your face into modelesque symmetry with these simple (and uber beginnery) tips and tricks…
First rule? If it glitters, don’t use it. Contour is creating shadows in order to define, and I’ve yet to see a shadow that glitters. So start with a good matte bronzer (I use Benefit’s Hoola), or if you’re pale skinned, you can even use an eyeshadow in a light brown or even taupe shade.
Take your bronzer/eyeshadow and in circular movements using a contour brush (or even a smaller blush brush) sweep it in over the areas you want to define. If that’s your cheekbones, work from your middle ear towards the corner of your mouth. You can also contour under your jawbone, down the sides of your forehead, down the sides of your nose (but you’ll want to use a smaller brush for this). Start with a little product and add more as you grow more confident.
Once you’re satisfied with the result, take a highlighter (these come in liquid, powder and cream forms, but once again a good eyeshadow can do the trick), and run it along the areas you’d like to add light to your face - the top of your cheeks, in your cupids bow, down the length of your nose - and blend it out.
Now this is a very basic guide, I’m sure there are many more amazing ways to contour, but we’re not here to scare you, just to encourage you to give it a try. So to help you along your merry contouring path we’re loading up contouring tutorials in our Beauty Looks Video area check them out HERE – from easy steps to get you started to learning to contour like a pro, you can see for yourself how to get that defined jaw, sky high cheekbones, and slimmer forehead (I know! Who knew!?). And check out the video with the guys take on it all! Hilarious!
So will you give contouring a go? Or is it still on the no-go list? Are you an avid contourer? Feel free to add your tips and tricks below.
Oh this is right up my alley! I am so going to give this another go. I will master it if it's the last thing I do!