Okay, let’s talk about contouring! 💁♀️ I know—it can feel like building a makeup masterpiece one step at a time (and Sis, we are the artists here 🎨). If you’re still figuring out the best order to apply makeup when contouring, don’t even trip! I got you.
Contouring can be that magical trick to sculpt your face and snatch your features. It’s like giving yourself a mini facelift without, you know, actually needing a facelift. 😜 But knowing which product goes first, when to layer, and how not to look like a total cake face is LEVEL ONE in contouring. So let’s break it down so it’s easy, fun, and stress free!
Base makeup first: Foundation, Concealer, then Contour, THEN Highlight!
Before anything, let’s get something clear: do not start with contour. It’s all about building the base first. Think of this like your canvas (okay, maybe just a lil’ artsy reference 🙃).
To make that contour pop and your skin look flawless, start with foundation. Your foundation is like smoothening out your skin tone, so anything you add after (contour and highlight) will blend like a dream.
Plus, it covers up any discoloration or blemishes so you’re working on a clean base. Periodt.
Step-by-Step Breakdown – Let’s Talk Layers, Babe!
I’ve got you with the order, but heads up: everyone’s skin is different, and you might like to tweak it based on what works for you. But for today—we’re stickin’ with the most foolproof way.
1. Moisturize, Prime and Prep
Start with a clean, moisturized face (make it drink that water, honey!). Adding a lil’ primer too? YES girl. Primer is like Snapchat filter for your face but in real life. It smooths things out so your foundation and other makeup grab onto your skin better. Boom.
2. Apply Foundation
After your skin is prepped, grab your fave foundation. Apply it evenly across your face and blend it with a damp beauty blender or brush. Look for something that gives medium coverage unless you want to block out all your features (which, cool; full glam it if you like!). But in general, medium gives you coverage plus lets your natural glow peek through.
3. Concealer (for them extra bright bits!)
Concealer, baby! Get that lightweight but full-coverage concealer earlier than later, and apply it where you wanna stand out: under your eyes, down the nose, the chin, maybe even a lil’ between your brows—basically, highlight the parts of your face where the sun hits naturally. Blend, blend, blend like you’re on a mission!
Always apply the concealer after foundation. It helps lift and brighten the areas that may look dull after foundation covers ’em up.
4. Contour Time! 🖌
Girrrrl, the real fun is here. This is where we sculpt! Take a cream or powder contour product—I got you whether you stan liquid or powders. This goes in three main places:
- Cheekbones: Not on ‘em but under them, babe. Find the hollows of your cheeks—y’know, where you pout like you’re channeling your best supermodel impression.
- Jawline: Want a sharper jawline? Sweep that contour along the edge here and blend softly down the neck so the transition’s smooth.
- Forehead: Got a taller forehead like your girl over here? Contour along the hairline to bring that forehead size down. Don’t overdo it though—we’re blending out all day ⚡️.
5. Blend, blend, blend
The key? BLEND. Don’t just swipe on some contour and walk out the door unless looking like a zebra was the goal 😂. Make sure you’re blending everything into that foundation seamlessly. Use a beauty sponge, a dense brush, or even your fingertips. There are no rules on tools—just make sure it looks airbrushed and smooth!
Highlight: The Glow-Up
After contour…we HIGHLIGHT! Think of this like turning the lights on in your face. After you snatch the shape with your contour, it’s time to make certain parts pop!
Grab your highlighter and pop it on these spots:
- Tops of your cheekbones (that ICONIC glowy look!)
- The bridge of your nose
- On your cupid’s bow above your lips (pouty lips? Yes, please!)
- A lil’ on your brow bone 👏
If you went in with cream contour, you could also use a cream or liquid highlighter. But if you’re on powder contour, stick with powder highlighters. Like attracts like 💄✨.
Blush: ‘Cause we love to look alive!
Okayyy, now’s the part where you wanna give your face life again after structuring out cheekbones and sharpness (we love balance). Pop some blush on the apples of your cheeks. It pulls the whole look together and makes it feel more casual than editorial. Like I dunno about y’all, but I don’t need to be contoured to the gods at the grocery store! (But, also…I might just do it…🎯).
Quick hack: blend the blush in slightly above the contour and into your highlight for the most lifted, angelic look.
Order Checklist (for LITERALLY any look)
I’ve got the official order to apply makeup right here. Keeping this saved with you will save hours of stress over layering wrong.
Here’s THE ORDER, but feel free to save this as a lil hack for your contour game:
| Step | What to Apply |
|---|---|
| 1 | Clean + moisturized face |
| 2 | Apply Primer |
| 3 | Foundation (blended seamlessly) |
| 4 | Concealer for brightening |
| 5 | Contour (cheekbones, jawline, forehead) |
| 6 | BLEND it out everywhere |
| 7 | Highlight (tops of cheeks, tip of nose, brow bones) |
| 8 | Blush for that flush of color |
Yup—it’s that easy with these steps! This order will make ya feel like you could slay Kardashian-level contour any day of the week 💁♀️💥. Now you’re seriously ready to conquer the contour classic look!
Still Confused? Let’s Break it Down More!
Sometimes you’ll see people bake after they contour and set with translucent powder before brushing the powder off. This helps lock your makeup in place longer. But TBH, not everyone has to bake. If you’re dry, you might hate baking since it can make things patchy and dry-looking. If your face is more oily, baking will help absorb that excess oil so your contour stays sharper + longer. Choices, sis! Make what works best for you.
Also, peep this: use cream-based contours and blushes if you have dry skin. These products melt into the skin much better and keep texture at bay. For oily skin, powder products are golden since they mattify your skin and prevent heavy shine. This is what you call knowing your audience—aka, your skin 😋.
Finishing Touches 👑
At this point, you’re almost done. Setting spray or loose powder is literally your BFF in locking everything in. If you sweat like you just took a walk through the desert or you’re worried about midday shine…girl, SET IT DOWN.
Plus, a little spritz of setting spray makes the makeup melt even better into your skin for that dewy, hydrated finish. I don’t care what anyone says—setting spray is a whole mood 😍.
Let’s Recap Real Quick 👀
Get your primer down, follow with foundation, conceal the high points, sculpt and contour, toss on that highlight and blush, then SLAYYY baby. It sounds complex but once you get the order down, it’s rinse and repeat. Super easy! Just breathe, put on that fave playlist, and trust the contour process. By the time you walk out that door, it’s over for everyone else. 😘
Now, you’re fully educated in “Contouring for Baddies 101”!
