Contouring and highlighting are like the PB&J of makeup—you just can’t have one without the other! Whether I’m going full glam or just trying to fake that “I woke up looking snatched” vibe, these two techniques give major definition to your face and make it look 👌. But achieving that J.Lo-level sculpted cheekbone? That starts with having the right tools in your kit. So, let’s break down all the MVPs (Most Valuable Products) you need to ace that contour and highlight, shall we?
What You Need for Contouring:
Okay, let’s kick this off with contouring because—let’s be real—it’s all about the shadows, and no, I’m not talking about conspiracy theories here! Getting a snatched jawline and cheekbone is all about faking shadows in the right places. Here are the absolute essentials you need to contour like a pro 🔥.
1. Cream Contour Stick
Cream contour sticks are seriously life. They blend so smoothly and easily, and let’s just say they’re my bestie when I’m in a rush. You can just draw the lines exactly where you need them and buff it out. It’s like doing an adult coloring book, but you get high cheekbones and a slimmer nose after, which, yes please.
— My Faves:
– Fenty Beauty Match Stix: Rihanna herself made this, so you KNOW it’s going to turn out flawless.
– KKW Beauty Contour Stick: Let’s be real. Kim gave us the contour craze, so this is a solid option if you want Insta-model vibes in literally 5 minutes tops!
Pro Tip 💁♀️: Pick a contour stick shade that’s about 2 or 3 shades darker than your skin tone. You don’t want to look muddy, just snatched!
2. Powder Contour Palette
Once you’ve laid down that cream contour, lock in the magic with a powder contour palette. Powders are perfect for giving you that extra depth and dimension. I’m talking about the kind of contour that makes people wonder if you’ve been low-key working out every day (hint: you haven’t).
— Powder Picks:
– Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit: This OG powder contour kit has been around for a reason—it WORKS. And bonus? It comes in multiple shades for light, medium, and dark skin 💯.
– NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette: More affordable than ABH but still packs a punch! NYX stays doing the most 👏🏼👏🏼.
Pro Contour Tip: Always apply contour just under your cheekbones to enhance your natural bone structure, not ON your cheekbones, okay babe? Let’s not look like we’ve got permanent dirt on our face.
3. Contour Brush
Okay, hear me out—your products are only as good as the tools you use. Invest in a good contour brush that can chisel out your features like you got a whole glam squad working with you.
— Brush Goals:
– Morphe Pro Firm Blender Brush: Gets in those nooks and crannies (like under your jawline or along your nose).
– Real Techniques Sculpting Brush: Affordable and perfect for diffusing the lines, so you look like a goddess, not a Lego figure 🙅♀️.
What You Need for Highlighting:
Okay, so now you’re contoured and you’re ready to make those high points pop! Highlighting is all about fake glow-up goals. It’s that dewy, luminous main character energy we all wanna bring into our day. Grab your brushes—let’s hit the high points, people!
1. Liquid Highlighter
Liquid highlighters are perfect for creating that wet, runway-worthy glow. It’s like you were born with that skin (promise I won’t tell anybody 😉). Plus, they blend like a DREAM!
— Glow Babies:
– Glossier Haloscope: Glossier is the go-to for a “your-skin-but-better” vibe, and Haloscope is like an instant face lift without all the effort.
– Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter: Not technically a highlighter, but it gives an unreal radiance when applied to high points on top of foundation. Trust me. Everyone needs this tbh.
2. Powder Highlighter
Powder highlighters are where you unlock levels of glow that can be seen from space 🌟. They’re bolder than cream or liquid highlighters, plus they last way longer.
— Powder Picks:
– Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector: Literally every makeup artist swears by Becca’s formulas. Get your cheekbones BLINDING with this baby. (RIP to Becca tho, but thankfully you can still snag their highlighters through Smashbox!).
– MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle: Such a classic, and it works on SO many skin tones. ✨
Remember Fam: For powder, pop highlight on the tops of your cheekbones, tip of your nose, and maybe dab a little on your brow bone! GLOW baby, glow!
3. Fan Brush
Okay, hear me out. Fan brushes don’t get enough love, but they’re like the underrated highlight heroes! These guys distribute product evenly and give your skin a soft gleam that still looks chic, not greasy.
— Brush Picks:
– Sigma Beauty F42 Strobing Fan: It’s fluffy, soft, and perfect for finesse-ing your glow just right.
– e.l.f. Highlighting Brush: Another affordable bo$$ that will give you MAJOR boom-pow to any highlights.
4. Setting Spray with Glow
What’s the point of all that hard work if your glow doesn’t stick around? We want long-lasting YES, not a slick NO. Setting sprays with a glowing finish help your skin look hydrated and radiant throughout the day.
— Locks In the Glow:
– Morphe Luminous Setting Spray: This gives a dewy finish without going all-out grease mode.
– Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow: The OG setting spray but… GLOWY edition! Yes. Yes. Yes!
Tools You’ll Need to Slay:
Besides your contour and highlight products, the tools you use matter. Like, bottom line, these are non-negotiables in your makeup bag if you want that glow-up locked IN 🔥.
1. Beauty Sponge
Beauty sponges aren’t just for foundation, sis. You can use ’em damp to blend out your cream contour and any liquid or cream highlighter. It’s your secret weapon for a flawless, airbrushed look.
- OG Sponge Hero: The Beautyblender, obviously, but I also love the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge if you’re looking for something more wallet-friendly.
2. Tapered Powder Brush
TAPERED! Like, say it louder for the people in the back. This type of brush gives the perfect amount of control when setting under-eye powder or applying a more precise powder highlight to your cheekbones. Less is more with highlighter, am I right?
Putting It All Into Action (aka Contour & Highlight Map):
Okay, this is where the magic happens. Here’s the total cheat sheet for where you should place your contour and highlighter. I made it super easy for you!
| Area | Contouring Products | Highlighting Products |
|---|---|---|
| Cheekbones | Contour directly under your cheekbones to get them lifted. | Highlight the tops of the cheekbones for ALL the glow. |
| Nose | Contour the sides of your nose if you want it slimmer. | Pop some highlight on the tip of your nose for a cute button look. |
| Forehead | Contour near your hairline to shorten your forehead. | Highlight the center or just above your brows to brighten things. |
| Jawline | Contour along your jaw to get that snatched-defined jawline. | Nope. Nada. Leave the jawline to the contour products only! |
| Chin | Light contour for a sharper chin. | Highlight the center to bring some attention there (if you want). |
So there you have it, babes! Those are the key products you need in your makeup stash if you’re trying to finesse your contour and pop your highlight like a pro. Remember: makeup’s all about experimenting and having fun, so if you feel like going HAM with the highlight, you do you, babe.
Whether you wanna look like a bronzed goddess on the ‘Gram or just wanna glow a little more IRL, invest in these products and don’t be afraid to go wild with it! Got any favs you love using in your contour & highlight routine? Hit the comments—I’m always down to dish about makeup ✨.
