Did you know that the contouring technique actually comes from old black and white movies, where actors’ and actresses’ faces were heavily contoured to emphasis light and shade? Here in the twenty first century, contouring with light and shade is all about enhancing your bone structure and the symmetry of your features.
The highlighting contour shade draws light to your face and helps to emphasise your good features. The darker contouring shade, which is actually invisible when blended properly, helps you to dial down features.
If that all sounds complicated, don’t worry. We’ve chosen contouring products and palettes for beginners as well as the more confident among you.
Of course, there are lots of How To videos you can watch.
Here’s Lysney Alexander, UK Make-Up Ambassador for L’Oreal Paris, showing how it’s done and sharing lots of clever tips
Face Contouring by L’Oréal Paris.
Or visit Sephora. They have a range of contouring videos featuring women with different skin tones. One video shows you how to identify your face shape, then there are separate videos showing how to contour different face shapes.
Have you seen the massively popular new video by vlogger Nikkie, The Power of MAKEUP!? The head-turning transformation that she demonstrates is amazing to watch – and she says that contouring is her “religion”.
Popular Contouring Colours & Palettes
EASY
Buy Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight | John Lewis
Clinique’s got the easiest contouring kit. Just draw a wiggly line with the Curvy Contour crayon under your cheek bones and another one above your cheekbones using Hefty Highlight, then gently blend with a Beauty Blender and you’re done!
Beauty Blender Sponge at Beauty Bay
Daniel Sandler Sculpt and Slim-Effect
You’ll find it easy to sculpt your cheekbones with this kit. Apply the lighter shade to the top of your cheekbones and apply the darker shade under your cheekbones. You can add definition to your collar bones and cleavage with this palette, too.
IF YOU WANT TO MASTER THE CONTOURING TECHNIQUE
Invest in the bestselling Bare Minerals California Brozne Multi-Effect Bronzing Trio Palette if you see make up as a pleasure rather than a chore to be completed. There are two matte contour shades and a sparkly highlighter that work to best effect when applied with a brush. We’re serious fans of Laura Mercier so of course, we recommend the Blending Brush if you need to add a brush to your contouring kit.
BareMinerals California Bronze Multi-Effect Bronzing Trio Palette 12g (Palette Includes x3 Shades)
Buy Laura Mercier Blending Brush | John Lewis
FOR THE CONFIDENT
Buy Laura Mercier Flawless Contouring Palette | John Lewis
Of course, Laura Mercier has a flawless option, too. Another bestseller, this palette is for those who are already confident in contouring. There are grey and brown shades for serious shading and a matte cream or a shimmery bronze highlighter that work across a range of skin tones.
ADVANCED
Serious contouring converts who want dramatic, transformative effects love Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit. Highlighting and shading is an art form with this palette as the creamy coverage is opaque and some of the shades are very effective concealers, too. Not only does the Anastasia palette offer a range of shaders and highlighters, there are different palettes to choose from according to your skin tone. We’re featuring Light and the new, just out Deep palettes here. Deep shades include Nude, Coral, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Espresso and Carob. You can also buy a Medium/Tan palette, too.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit Color Light
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit Color Deep
