Contouring and highlighting can seem intimidating, but they are simply techniques for enhancing your natural bone structure. Contouring uses darker shades to create shadows that define and slim certain areas, while highlighting uses lighter shades to bring forward and illuminate the high points of the face. Here is a beginner-friendly guide to mastering these techniques.

Choosing the Right Products

For beginners, cream contour and highlight products are generally easier to work with than powders. They blend more seamlessly into the skin and create a more natural finish. Choose a contour shade that is two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone with a neutral or cool undertone, as this mimics natural shadows.

Where to Apply Contour

The key to natural-looking contour is applying product only where shadows naturally fall. For most face shapes, contour goes in a downward motion under the cheekbones, starting from the ears and ending about halfway across the cheek. Contour along the hairline and temples can slim the forehead. Contour along the jawline helps define the jaw.

Where to Apply Highlight

Highlight should be applied to the high points of the face where light naturally hits. These include the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the brow bone, the inner corners of the eyes, the cupid’s bow above the upper lip, and the center of the forehead. Apply highlight sparingly and blend well for a natural glow.

Blending Is Everything

The difference between a professional-looking contour and an obvious makeup line is blending. Use a damp beauty sponge to blend cream contour and highlight, bouncing rather than dragging. For powder products, use a fluffy, tapered brush and windshield-wiper motions. Blend contour first, then blend the edges where it meets your foundation.

Face Shape Considerations

Your face shape determines the most flattering placement for contour and highlight. For round faces, focus contour on the outer edges of the face and under the cheekbones. For oval faces, contour under the cheekbones and along the jawline. For square faces, soften the angles by contouring the corners of the jaw and the temples.