Even if you don’t wear makeup, you’ve probably heard of contouring. It’s been a best kept beauty secret for drag queens and runway models alike. However, contouring became a mainstream makeup phenomenon when we started Keeping Up with the Kardashians. But why? Why is contouring such a big deal these days?
Contouring is a makeup technique that enhances certain facial features like your cheekbones, while slimming down other features like your nose. Basically, contouring is a way to achieve the illusion of a sculpted face that would normally be reserved for supermodels and people who just won the genetic lottery of bone structure.
The basic idea is that you contour certain parts of your face, like the temples, the hollows of your cheeks, and jaw line, and then highlight other parts like the middle of the forehead, the length of your nose, and underneath the eyes.
Contouring becomes difficult and often a disaster when you use too much product and don’t use the right tools or shades. This is where the hunt for a good contour kit and brush set begins. Finding the right products, brushes, and shades for your skin tone are key. Take the time to find a contour kit or a combo of products that really fit your skin tone and work for you.
If you want to keep it simple try to find a contour/highlight duo stick like the Wonder Stick by NYX Cosmetics ($14) or the Highlight Lowlight Contour Face Duo by Sephora ($25).
On the other hand, if you’d like to invest in a good contour kit, there are several options including the Too Faced Cocoa Contour Chiseled to Perfection ($50), the Smashbox Contour Kit ($52), The Anatasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit ($52), or the Laura Mercier Contouring Kit ($60). The key to contouring is to find shades that actually match and flatter your skin tone.
Personally, I know as a dark skinned girl, finding a contour kit that will match my skin is a lot harder. That’s why I opt for buying products separately. When I tried contouring for the first time, I even tried a matte eyeshadow in a darker chocolate shade to get the right contour shade. It totally worked. Try Bobbi Brown’s Eyeshadow in Espresso ($29) or MAC’s eyeshadow in Espresso ($19).
In terms of brushes, Sephora has a simple but great Contour Brush Set for about $60. The set includes three brushes, the stippling brush for foundation coverage, the flat top powder brush for buffing and setting and the angled brush for blush, bronzer and even concealer. Separately, brushes can cost anywhere from $20-$40 each so definitely look for a set if you can get one. A highly recommended contour brush is the Kabuki Ita Brush at Sephora if you just want to start with one ($70).
Another tool to consider buying is a blender sponge, which is a popular tool used by makeup artist to blend foundation perfectly. Try out the beauty blender at Sephora ($28) or Shopper’s Drug Mart ($5). It’s easy to use and helps perfect your contoured look. Also, this is where the term “beating the face” comes in. When your makeup is applied flawlessly, you’ve successfully “beat your face”!
Now, to contour correctly I would recommend looking at a couple tutorials while you do it. Glam Booth has a great video as well as Jen from chiutips. If you want to personalize your contouring according to your face shape, Sephora did an awesome feature on PureWow that breaks down contouring tutorials based on your face shape.
Finally, if you’re not completely sold on contouring or just feel like it’s too much for an everyday look, strobing may be your new best friend. Strobing is like contouring but without the bronzer. Instead, you just highlight to enhance your features with a shimmery highlighter or illuminator to achieve a fresh, dewy look.
The same rules still apply in terms of choosing the right shade. Cosmo has some recommendations for highlighters based on your skin tone. If you need a tutorial to watch Desi Perkins has an awesome video on strobing.
And there you have it! A quick breakdown of contouring and strobing. Now get out there and “beat your face”!
Do you contour or strobe? Do you have a favourite kit or product? Snap a pic and tag us on Instagram or send us a tweet on Twitter!