We’ve all been there, blending away with our favorite contour palette. We imagine the perfect cheekbones, nose, and chin–chiseled to perfection. But as we slather on the contour, an all-too-familiar reality sets in–contouring can be tricky to master. Mistakes can be frustrating and demoralizing. Don’t give up! Here’s a look at the most common contouring pitfalls and, most importantly, how to fix them.
1. A Word of Caution: Common Contouring Mistakes to Avoid
Contouring may seem easy on Instagram and YouTube, but for many, it can be tricky to master. Here are the top common contouring mistakes to avoid when starting out:
- Placement: Placement is key when creating your contoured look – the wrong part of your face can end up looking highlighted instead of contoured. Make sure that you’re applying the darker shade under your cheekbones and jawline.
- Using the Wrong Shade of Bronzer: It’s very important to get the shade of bronzer right, use a bronzer with a warm, subtle hue to help mimic your own skin tone. Not too pale, not too orange, and not to glittery. Seek the help of a beauty advisor if you need help to find the right shade.
- Light Contour: Heavy contour can create an unflattering look, if you use too much bronzer your face can end up looking caked. Try using a light hand and adding more if needed.
- Blending: Use a brush or beauty sponge to blend your contour and highlight for a seamless look. Pay extra attention to the sides of your nose, corners of your eyes, and your cheekbones making sure that the bronzer and highlighter line up evenly.
< li>Using Too Many Contour and Highlight shades: It is easy to get carried away when it comes to contouring, but try to stick to one contour colour, and one highlight shade. To avoid a cakey and exaggerated effect, use one shade, and using two shades can make it look like you’ve got stripes across your face.
Always do a test drive before you go out to make sure your contour isn’t too heavy, or the wrong shade. Keep practising and play around with different shades, you’ll be a contour pro in no time. Contour with confidence and create those beautiful chiseled cheekbones!
2. Looking Like a Cake Walk: How to Fix Common Contouring Pitfalls
Though contouring can often look like a chore, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be difficult to get supplies and put some basic techniques to work – and maybe even show off your inner makeup pro! Unfortunately, mistakes can feel just as easy to make as successes can, and it doesn’t always feel obvious how to fix them and get back on the right track.
Here are some common contouring pitfalls and how to get around them with ease:
- Unwanted Lines and Streaking: When using an overly-abundance of product or failing to blend product enough, lines or streaks can develop across your contour. To fix this, use a dampened beauty blender to gently push the product into the skin, softening the harshness of the line without removing the color.
- Products Too Light or Dark: If you notice that the products you’ve chosen are too light or too dark, there’s no need to start from scratch. Try blending together colors until you achieve the desired tone or layering over them with a lighter or darker blush to reach the intended effect.
- Contour Not Showing: This likely means you applied product heavily, but failed to blend it out. Take a dampened beauty blender and blend the product into skin for a more natural look. You can also layer translucent powder over the area to set it and make sure it stays put.
Getting around common pitfalls doesn’t have to be impossible. Understanding the versatility of makeup and some basic application techniques will give you the confidence to contour like a pro.
Remember, practice makes perfect – and the rewards are pretty sweet!
3. Defying the Norm: Expert Contouring Tips You Should Know
Are you ready to level up your makeup game? Contouring is one of the most popular techniques used in makeup looks, as it can instantly redefine your facial structure with just a few strokes of concealer, primer, or foundation. But getting the perfect contour can be tricky! To help you out, here are some expert contouring tips that will have you looking totally Insta-ready in no time.
- Use a Shade That’s One or Two Shades Darker Than Your Skin Tone – Make sure you don’t exaggerate with your contouring color, as it could end up making your face look dirtier than glamorous. To ensure a subtle effect, use a shade one or two levels darker than your natural skin tone.
- Start by Creating an ‘M’ Shape – To get a flawless contour, begin by tracing an ‘M’ shape along the outer edges of your face. Start from the middle of the forehead, swooping down under the cheekbones, then make your way towards the chin.
- Add Some Contour to Your Jawline – If you want to create the illusion of a sharper, more defined jawline, take a slightly darker shade along the jawline and blend outwards towards the ears. Keep in mind that you don’t have to contour the entire area—keeping the look natural is key.
- Don’t Forget Your Nose – Defining the bridge of your nose is one of the best ways to sculpt your nose, and make it appear slimmer and more refined!
Remember, when it comes to contouring, less is more. Whether you’re looking to enhance your cheekbones or define your nose, using a subtle approach while following these expert contouring tips will help you achieve that perfect Insta-ready look.
4. “Setting” Yourself Up for Success: The ABCs of Contouring Basics
Contouring your face with makeup is an amazing way to enhance your look. If you’re just getting started, following the ABCs of contouring basics can help you easily get that stunning, well put-together face you’re looking for.
A. Get to Know your Face: It’s important to become familiar with the natural shape of your face so that you can complement it with contour lines. Each face has different and distinct features, so it’s essential to get an understanding of where exactly you should apply the contour in order to bring out the best in your look.
B. Read up on Your Color Palette: Nothing can ruin your contour look faster than the wrong color or even too much of the right one! So take the time to make sure you know the color wheel inside and out. It never hurts to purchase a few samples and create some swatches to get a feel for how different colors will appear on your skin.
C. Tools of the Trade: Depending on your technique and skill level, there’s a range of contouring tools you can use to achieve a polished look. Here’s what you should be aware of:
- Finger tips – the most basic technique
- Brushes – for small, precise strokes
- Sponges – for a subtle finish
- Concealer sticks – great for getting into those tricky spots
D. Put it All Together: Now that you’re armed with an understanding of your own features, your color palette, and the right tools, it’s time to get contouring! Visualizing your face with the color wheel is essential to help you determine which shades to use, and where to put them for maximum benefit.
Contouring can be a great way to enhance your natural features, but just like any makeup application, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Be patient and have fun with your makeup – if you take your time to learn the dos and don’ts, you’ll have an effortlessly contoured face that will glow like you’ve never seen before!