Let’s talk contouring—the magical art of shaping and defining your face with makeup! It sounds fancy, but trust me: it’s WAY easier than you think, and if you’re a beginner, you’re in the right place. We’ve all seen those killer before-and-afters on Insta, where someone’s face just goes from regular to ✨sculpted perfection✨—and now you can totally do that too. Let’s be real, though: contouring might sound a little intimidating at first, but with the right products and steps, you’ll be slaying it in no time. Grab your brushes (or your beauty blender) and let’s go!
So, What IS Contouring?
Okay, so let’s start with what contouring really is. Contouring is when you use darker and lighter makeup (like foundation, concealer, or contouring sticks) to define and shape the angles of your face. The goal: make those cheekbones pop, sharpen your jawline, and give your face more dimension. Think of it this way: the darker shades will “pretend” to push certain parts of your face back, while the lighter ones will bring features forward by highlighting ’em. It’s like a mini face-lift but with makeup!
Now before we get into how to do it, let’s talk about what you need in your beginner makeup kit to crush this contouring game.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
If you have already stalked the makeup section of Sephora or your local drugstore (who hasn’t, right?), you’ve probably seen a ton of contouring products around. It can seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t sweat it. You don’t need to drop an entire paycheck on fancy stuff to get started! Here’s a breakdown of things you’ll need that won’t leave your bank account crying:
1. Contouring Product
There are a couple of options here: you could go for either a cream contour or a powder contour. Both work great, but they each have their vibe.
If you want something easy to blend and more natural-looking, start with cream contour sticks (they’re basically like giant crayons for your face). They’re perfect for people new to contouring because it’s easier to blend with your fingers or a sponge. Choices like the Fenty Beauty Match Stix or NYX Wonder Stick are fire!
For those who want a little more definition or have oily skin, powder contour might be your BFF: it helps to add intensity to your makeup, and you can just build it up. I love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit for this—it’s a bit more bougie, but worth it.
| Product | Type | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Fenty Match Stix | Cream | Super easy to blend |
| NYX Wonder Stick | Cream | Drugstore Price but Good Quality |
| ABH Contour Kit | Powder | Buildable for maximum definition |
2. Highlight
Now let’s talk about the other half of contouring: highlighting. Highlighting is the step that brings out the “highpoints” of your face—like your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and forehead—to catch that light.
You can use a concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone for this. Something that works really well is the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer or Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Concealer.
If you’re feeling extra and want some major glow, go for a pearlescent/illuminating highlighter like Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector (RIP Becca, we miss youuuu 😢) or the good ole’ tried-and-true Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder.
3. Makeup Sponge or Brushes
To apply your contour and highlight, you’re going to need a sponge (like a beauty blender), or some good makeup brushes. For beginners, I say a makeup sponge is friendlier, especially when blending cream products. Sponges like the classic BeautyBlender or the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge are 🔥.
Brushes, while they give more precision, can be tricky at first—but they’re a major glow-up for powders. You’ll want an angled brush for the contour and a fluffier brush for blending.
| Tools | Use |
|---|---|
| BeautyBlender Sponge | Ideal for creamy, liquid contour & highlight |
| Angled Brush | Great for defining and applying contour products |
| Fluffy Brush | Best for blending powders into a seamless look |
4. Setting Powder
Contouring is often the final face step after foundation, so we’re gonna use a translucent powder to set everything. Why? Because no one wants creases or their contour sliding down their face like melted ice cream. Laura Mercier’s Translucent Setting Powder is everyone’s fave, but if you’re going for a more budget-friendly option, try out Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder.
Let’s Break It Down: Where Does Everything Go?
Okay, okkaaayy. Now that we’ve got everything, let’s slay this contour! I promise it’s not as complicated as it may seem; we’re just going to strategically place those shades in the right places so your face is SNATCHED.
1. Contour Placement 🖤
Grab your cream contour or powder and let’s do this:
- Cheekbones: This is where the magic happens! To find your cheekbone, make that little fish face (yes, I’m serious 😏). The sunken hollows under your cheek bones? That’s where the contour goes. Apply it along these shadows—start from about your ear and go about halfway across your cheek. Don’t get carried away all the way to your mouth, though!
- Forehead/Temples: If you’ve got a bigger forehead (I do too, no shame 🙋🏻♀️), apply some contour along your hairline to shape it and make it look a lil’ smaller.
- Jawline: Want a sharper jawline without hitting the gym? Apply contour along the line of your jaw to define it. Blend it down slightly so there’s no harsh line.
- Nose (Optional): If you’re looking to snatch your nose, draw two thin lines of contour down each side of your nose to make it appear slimmer.
2. Let’s Highlight! ✨
You’ll want to amp things up by adding that light back into your face:
- Under the Eyes: Apply a lighter shade of concealer under your eyes in a triangle shape—not just as little dots or a half-moon. This will really help brighten and lift your face!
- Chin & Forehead: Just add a little on the center of your chin and forehead for balance.
- Bridge of Your Nose: Add a thin line straight down the center (between the contour lines) to highlight the middle. Boom.
3. Blending: The MOST Important Step
Girl, BLEND, BLEND, BLEND! It’s crucial. Don’t just leave harsh makeup lines—it’ll look crazy. Reach for your sponge or brush to gently blend everything out:
- For creams: Dab, don’t rub. Use a beauty sponge to delicately dab the contour into your skin so it disappears into your foundation seamlessly.
- For powders: Use that fluffy brush to soften all of the edges. Take your time with the blending—it’s worth it.
Pro Tip: Start with a small amount of product and build it up. It’s easier to add more than try to fix or blend out too much contour!
Sealing it All Together
Once everything’s blended and looking fly, grab that translucent setting powder. Use your damp sponge or a big fluffy brush to apply it under your eyes, on your forehead, chin—wherever you highlighted. We’re not trying to bake a cake here, but setting those highlighted areas makes everything look smooth.
Then, if you used a powder contour, blend some setting powder around those lines as well to soften any harshness.
Finish off the look with a spritz of setting spray to lock in all your hard work. 👏👏👏
Some Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Okayyy, it’s time for some tough love. Contouring can be a little tricky at first (because #nofilter), but here are a few mistakes to watch out for that I’ve totally made myself:
- Applying too much contour: The key to great contour is subtlety. Heavy-handed contour can look muddy, especially when using a powder. Less is more, babes!
- Harsh Lines: Always blend, and then blend some more—don’t leave harsh or sharp edges.
- Wrong Shade: Contour shouldn’t be orange—it’s meant to be more of a neutral brown or cool-toned color that mimics natural shadows. Warm tones may give you that fake tan look.
-
Dirty Brushes: Don’t let old product gunk up your brushes. Clean them regularly to get the best blend.
Hot Tip: Spot cleans your brushes with a little makeup wipe or setting spray between uses to keep ’em fresh.
You’re Ready, Queen!
That’s EVERYTHING you need to know to get started on your contour journey. It’s all about practice: experimenting with what works best for your face, your vibe, and the occasion. Whether you’re going for that soft, no makeup look or you’re ready to serve some Kardashian-level cheekbones—you got this!
And remember, makeup is all just for fun; there aren’t any rules. Play with it, experiment, and find what makes you feel 🔥! Now go slay that contour like the beautiful makeup artist you are! 🖤
