Hey friend! If you’ve ever watched a makeup tutorial (or let’s be real, a million TikToks in a row ‒ no shame), then you’ve probably heard of contouring. Contouring can totally transform your face from looking like a cute potato to Kardashian-level cheekbone snatch. And guess what? It’s not as terrifying as it looks. I gotchu. 💁🏻♀️
Today, I’m gonna walk you through a super easy, beginner-friendly step-by-step contouring and highlighting tutorial that’ll have your face sculpted like a model in no time. Let’s hop right into it, okay?
What is Contouring? Like, Actually?
First off, let’s talk about what contouring even is. So, contouring is basically shaping and defining your face by playing with shadows and light. You use darker (cool-toned) shades to make stuff look smaller (or more snatched) and lighter shades to bring areas forward and make them pop. Perfect for giving those cheekbones their moment, honey.
You know how in real life, contouring creates depth by using lights and shadows? Well, same deal for makeup! But, like ‒ no fancy art skills needed, don’t worry.
Contouring doesn’t mean painting zebra stripes on your face!
Let’s break it down, step by step, babyyy.
Step 1: Foundation Base ‒ Set the Tone 🎨
Okay, you always want to start with a clean, moisturized face. I’m talking hydrated, primed, and ready to go. Moisturizer can’t be skipped – it’s the law (and will give you that juicy skin base).
Now that your skin feels nourished, apply your regular foundation. This is your blank canvas, babyyy. Use the right shade that matches your neck, not your hand or forehead! If your foundation routine isn’t set yet, don’t stress. Pick something lightweight but buildable. I recommend going for something with a satin or natural finish, so you’re not too dewy or matte.
Step 2: Pick Your Contour Product ‒ Cream or Powder?
Before we go wild with applying contour, you’ll have to make a choice: cream or powder contour? This all depends on your skin type and how much control you want.
- Cream Contours blend soooo smoothly and feel super natural. They’re great if you want a softer, more dewy finish that melts into your skin. Think: effortless but sculpted.
- Powder Contours, on the other hand, give a more defined look and work better for oily skin (hello, matte finish). It’s easier to build up if you want something dramatic, but can also stay low-key if you go light!
If you’re a beginner, start with powder; it’s a safer bet ’cause you can always add more, but it’s much easier to control 👌.
Step 3: Know Where to Contour ‒ Placement is Key
Now for the fun part. You’re probably wondering where the heck to contour. Well, say less sis: Here’s your guide for killer placement!
- Cheekbones: The Main Event – You want to create dimension under your cheekbones to get that lifted look. Feel where your cheekbone dips in, and blend your contour shade underneath that. Basically, start from your ears and blend down towards your mouth, stopping a few inches away. You’re not making a beard here! 😂
- Jawline: Define That Jaw – Apply your contour along the edges of your jawline to give yourself a more chiseled look. Blend it down into your neck to avoid any weird makeup lines. Nobody wants a floating head vibe.
- Forehead: Slim It Down – If you want to ‘shorten’ your forehead a bit, swipe some contour around your hairline. This totally depends on how big (or small) your forehead is; if you don’t mind your forehead, you can keep this light, girl.
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Nose: Snatch That Bridge – This one’s optional but my fav! Place contour on the two sides of your nose bridge and blend like your life depends on it. Adding contour here slims the nose, but blendiing is key so it won’t be too harsh (we’ve all seen bad nose contour… RIP).
Your cheekbones and jawline have been waiting for this moment.
Step 4: Blend Like It’s Your Job ✨
Grab a clean blending brush or damp beauty sponge and blend, blend, blend! Circular motions help diffuse the product smoothly. When blending, you’ll want your contour to look like soft shadows, not harsh lines, k?
Too harsh? Go over any stripey situations with your foundation brush. It’ll soften it into oblivion. ✌️
Step 5: Time to Highlight 💡
We contour to define, and we highlight to make certain spots 👏 pop 👏! You want to go in with a concealer or highlighter that’s a shade or two lighter than your normal skin tone.
Here’s where you apply highlight:
- Under the eyes – This makes you look more awake (goodbye, undereye bags 🙄). Draw a little triangle shape and blend out.
- Center of the forehead – Just a smidge above your brows to brighten up your whole face.
- Down the nose – A thin line down the middle of the nosebridge is chef’s kiss for that snatched illusion.
- Cupid’s bow – Right above those lips! Highlighting here = plumper, juicier lips without the filler.
- Chin – A little dab on your chin gives balance to the whole look.
✨ [Pro-tip: If you want to glow to the gods and turn heads, go ahead and add powder or liquid highlighter on top of your concealer for that lewk. Too much? Neverrr].
Step 6: Bake and Set It ‒ Keep That Face Locked In 🔒
If you tend to be oily or want to keep that snatch locked in all day, it’s time to bake your face. Not, like, actual bake in the kitchen, but makeup-baking. (Unless you’re into that too, then double win!).
Take a loose translucent powder and press it under your eyes, chin, around your smile lines, and down the bridge of your nose. Let it sit for at least 5–10 minutes. While it’s sitting, it’ll soak up excess oil and set your base like a boss!
After that, dust off the extra powder with a fluffy brush. Your face should feel smooth, soft, and locked ⚡️.
Step 7: Blush It Up ‒ Don’t Forget The Rosy Finish 🌸
Before we finish up this lewk, blush is a MUST. Once you’re contoured and highlighted, blush softly brings warmth back to your face, making everything look wayyy more natural and alive again!
Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards toward your temples. Soft washes of color, guys – you don’t want to look like a clown 😅.
Blush, but not too much. You wanna look like you’ve been sun-kissed, not sunburnt.
Step 8: Final Touches ‒ Finishing Spray FTW 💦
Boom! You’re almost done, but there’s one last thing: Set it all with a setting spray so your contour doesn’t disappear halfway through your day (or night…like, who’s judging?).
Hold your setting spray a couple of inches from your face, give it a few spritzes, and bask in your contour-glory. No smudging, no melting, no patchy face. You’re good to go.
Quick Recap: Slay That Contour
- Foundation first for a smooth canvas.
- Use cream or powder contour depending on what YOU prefer.
- Apply contour to the cheekbones, jawline, forehead, and the sides of your nose for that sculpted goddess vibe.
- Blend, blend, and blend again! Harsh lines are a no-go.
- Highlights on under the eyes, forehead, nose, chin, and Cupid’s bow so those features pop.
- Add blush for warmth and finish with a spritz of setting spray.
So yeah, contouring is NOT as complicated as it looks! It’s more like a fun little art project where YOU get to be the masterpiece. 💖 Whether you want to create a subtle, natural look, or a more dramatic pop-off-the-screen vibe, this step-by-step guide will have you looking like you walked off a magazine cover.
I can’t wait to hear how your contouring game turns out! Go grab your brushes and strut through life with that model-tier face. 💅 You got this. 🎨
