How to properly outline the contours of the face. Face contouring for beginners: step by step instructions

Face contouring is an impressive make-up technique that helps make-up artists achieve the perfect face shape. Facial contouring, also called face sculpting or contouring, is the latest in home makeup trend. Now, looking at the perfect movie star makeup, know you can achieve the same result yourself. To do this, you just need to determine the shape of your face and use our guide.

To complete a successful makeover, it is enough to have some cosmetic products, such as a professional contouring palette. And also - familiarize yourself with the rules that will help you avoid the most common mistakes in this matter. So, first you need to learn the basics of contouring, which begin with the definition of the process itself.

Why do you need to perform face correction

Facial contouring is a procedure aimed primarily at correcting its shape. But not only this makes thousands of girls and adult women spend hours in front of a mirror and try themselves as a professional make-up artist. With the help of contouring, you can enlarge or reduce some parts of the face. The nose, for example, can be made visually thinner. Cheekbones - to increase, and the shape of the face, instead of round, to make it oval.

Changing the natural skin tone and removing such defects as bumps, freckles and even acne - this is also not difficult if you use contouring methods. Defects such as circles under the eyes can be removed using one of the shades of the eyeshadow found in the professional palette. You can visually enlarge the eyes and widen the distance between them. Facial contouring includes lightening wrinkles and, if necessary, a dimple in the chin, which may be too conspicuous.

Face contouring what you need step-by-step instructions for

For this we need:

creamy makeup base to match the skin tone;
a cream base (for example, BB-foundation) 2-3 tones darker than the skin;
Contouring brush
Flat top brush
Highlighter
Bronzer
Blush
Blush brush

The first thing you need to know when starting contouring is the shape of the face. To determine it, remove your hair from your face, go to the mirror and look at yourself. If you do not have pronounced cheekbones, and the length and width of your face are almost equal, then most likely you are the owner of a round face.

The width of your face is half the length, and the shape of your face is quite proportional - which means you have an oval face. This face shape is considered ideal, and you don't have to hide anything, just emphasize a little dignity.
The heart-shaped face is characterized by a wide forehead and a narrow lower part with a pointed chin. A square face can be easily identified by the jaw line, its lateral parts have pronounced angles.

The process of contouring the face begins with the application of a cream base that matches the natural skin tone. Only after that you can begin to lighten the desired areas: the center of the forehead, a thin line of the middle of the nose, areas under the eyebrows and under the eyes, areas above the upper lip and in the center of the chin are highlighted with light highlights.

The base of a darker shade is applied along the line of the cheekbones, on the wings of the nose, the lower part of the cheeks and the area under the chin. The cream base should be carefully shaded, the areas under the eyebrows and above the cheekbones should be highlighted with a highlighter.

Contouring a square type of face.

Bronzer. The main purpose of contouring an angular face is to soften the jawline while darkening the harder lines. So you can bring unwanted angles into the shadow, and bring other parts of the face to the fore, highlighting them with a highlighter. Apply the darkest color on the temples and along the hairline on the forehead. This will soften the square shape of your face and give it a rounder look with focus in the middle of your forehead. Align the nose with a darker color to lengthen it.

Do not darken your chin, however, or your face will look unnaturally spiky. On the cheekbones, draw short, light lines starting from the middle point of the ear. Highlight the forehead, under-eye areas and chin with a highlighter. This will make your look visually clearer. It is worth considering that for a square face, a minimum amount of backlighting is used. Therefore, special care should be taken to highlight areas of the face in order to preserve naturalness. Apply the blush in a rounded shape from the edge of the cheekbone and down to the intersection with the center point of the eye. This rounded blush will add a new round line to your face to soften the square face shape and maintain balance.

Oval face contouring.

If the face, on the other hand, is too elongated, highlighting the cheekbones with a highlighter and darkening the tonal base of the upper forehead and chin will help.

Bronzer. People with an oval face tend to have more prominent noses. So, contouring the face with more emphasis on the sides of the nose than on the cheeks will compensate for these functions. To make your nose look shorter, select only half of the bridge of your nose. If the cheekbones are darkened, lengthening of the face should be avoided. Try to guide your line starting just above the corners of the mouth, making a triangle. This will visually separate the face and avoid the "horse" effect. Applying a highlighter line above the lip and on the chin will widen your face to make it more symmetrical. Be sparing with highlighting the upper lip, but outline the chin area with flat white shading to maximize the shape. Highlighting your forehead will help you balance your chin, just try to avoid excess shine on it. Apply blush in short and sharp strokes, starting from the wings of the nose to the sides to the top of the ear. This blush will look very natural.

///////////// - dimming zones; - - - - - - - - - - - highlighter; ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... - blush zone.

Triangular face contouring.

For owners of a triangular face with an elongated chin, it is recommended to apply blush just above the zygomatic bone, as well as darken the temporal areas with a darker powder or foundation.

Bronzer. Since the chin is the narrowest part of the face with this shape, it is necessary to apply as much dark shading as possible here so that the chin merges with the general background of the face. It should be balanced with other parts of the face. Darken the outline of the hairline to reduce the width of the forehead and achieve more symmetry. All bronzer lines should be soft to maintain balance on the face. Also, don't make your eyes stand out too much. With a triangular face, as a rule, the eyes come to the fore. Allow your other features to be visible as well. Highlighter. Avoid making your nose stand out in the foreground. Highlight the areas under the eyes and continue this line under the nose. This will shorten it slightly and maintain balance. Highlight the forehead over the eyebrows and the chin. Blush. To give your face a beautiful, subtle glow, apply the blush in as straight lines as possible to your nose. By using straighter blush lines, you can add a sense of balance to the face, as long as these lines do not follow your triangle so as not to overwhelm the face.

///////////// - dimming zones; - - - - - - - - - - - highlighter; ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... - blush zone.

In this article I would like to highlight the problem of face correction. You can sculpt your face yourself, you just need to learn some secrets.

Any woman will say that a lot depends on the correct oval of the face. But what is the correct oval?

This concept is individual, but, believe me, with a competent approach to cosmetics, everyone can emphasize their advantages and retouch the disadvantages.

Face contouring and sculpting step by step - photo

So, you will have to start your transformation with preparatory phase- believe me, it is simply necessary, even if you want to do everything in a hurry.

This stage will help bring the skin to the desired condition, that is, moisturize it and hide imperfections. For the first purpose, use a moisturizer, and for the second, use a foundation or concealer of your choice.

IMPORTANT: When preparing the skin for contouring, do not use cosmetics that add shine.

This is the face that should be obtained after the preparatory stage of contouring - fresh and without excess shine.

But now you can take on the selection of certain areas of the face, this stage is also called "highlighting". This is where cosmetics come in handy, the content of reflective particles - in our case, a concealer. Choose it so that it is only a tone lighter than your skin.

You need to apply concealer with a brush according to a certain pattern.: smears under the lower lip, along the upper lines of the cheekbones, in the form of an inverted triangle under the eyes, under the eyebrows, along the line of the nose. The forehead should also be processed, but at the same time apply not one smear, but three that will converge to the bridge of the nose

A little advice from professionals: To ensure that the concealer blends as well as possible and is absorbed into the skin, spread it over the surface with your fingers.

Contouring and treatment with reflective concealer

Arm yourself with a powdery matte texture. When choosing, keep in mind that it should be darker than the skin color by only one shade. Immediately exclude those products that have a high content of orange or red pigment.

Pull in your cheeks as you apply the powder - this will allow you to better see the depressions under the cheekbones. Apply the product with a brush in the direction from the top points of the cheekbones to the corners of the mouth.

IMPORTANT: Do not bring the lines to the end-to-end corners - stop 2 or 3 centimeters from them.

Contouring and applying powder

We ended up with cheekbones, but you will also need to darken the tip of the chin and whiskey... In the latter case, make longitudinal strokes.

Now you need strokes shade... For a smooth and natural finish, use a fluffy brush that has natural fibers. Try to do the movements as if you are polishing something, that is, neat, circular.

Contouring. Applying powder to whiskey

You might be surprised, but even your eyes need to be darkened... To do this, leave the powder the same, but take a small brush. Run it along the top line of the eyelid, making movements both forward and backward - this will help blend the powder.

Contouring and processing of the century

Slight flicker- what you need even for daytime makeup. You will need a shimmery powder or cream with the same effect. Apply a small amount to the back of your nose, to the corners of your eyes, and to the fovea above your upper lip.

IMPORTANT: Perhaps this step will seem like a trifle to you, but it will give an openness to the gaze, thinness of the nose and volume of the lips.

Light-skinned ladies you will need a pearl shade, and swarthy lady or the owners of the skin of an average palette - golden.

contouring result

Face contouring scheme

Of course, everyone's faces are different and such a scheme cannot be called universal, but at least a few recommendations are sure to suit every woman.

Remember the following: you need to darken those areas that you would like to visually hide, and to lighten - those that you would like to emphasize, "stick out".

Usually lighten:

Nose on his back
Central part of the chin
The area of the face under the eyebrows
Top of cheekbones
Areas around the mouth, namely the depression above the upper lip and the corners of the mouth

They usually darken:

The area of the cheekbones - more precisely, the zone that is under them and forms depressions
The area under the chin - quite often girls have problems with the chin line. In addition, darkening in this place will allow, as it were, to bring the dark shade added to the entire area of the face into the desired balance.
Nostrils
Closest to the hairline
Oddly enough, but the neck area, breasts are also often darkened - so the lines of the body become more graceful and smooth

Round face contouring

Whatever the original face shape, they try to fit it into an oval one. A distinctive feature of chubby ladies is children's cheeks, which are often quite attractive, but sometimes you want to add seriousness and sculpturality to the image.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that a face of this shape is not necessarily synonymous with fullness - often such streamlined shapes are found in slender women.

Kirsten Dunst is an example of a woman who can use sculpting for a round face

So, first of all, remember that you need to properly work out the lateral parts of the face- there is no need to feel sorry for shadows, because you need to smooth out the roundness. Apply shadows in a semicircle, and in such a way that the center of this semicircle is near the ears, and the end does not reach the nose by 2 or 3 centimeters. Of course, the arc should seem to support the line of the cheeks.
And here what you need to "stick out" is the nose, bridge of the nose and lips because a round face often looks flat. Therefore, the relief of these parts will not interfere, which can be achieved through the use of a light tone matte texture. You will need to lighten the triangles running from the corner of the lips to the center of the nose and the outer corner of the eye, as well as the area from the bridge of the nose to the lift of the eyebrows. You can add a small amount of blush
Pay special attention to the chin- the fact is that in this case, the chin is often visually heavy, and it is simply necessary to give it lightness. Do this with a light color, applying first a small semicircle in the center and then two on the sides. Blend the lines well

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that pearlescent or shiny cosmetics should never be applied in the chin area, as it will add extra greasy shine.

But sculpting is schematic on the example of Kirsten Dunst

The round face shape is ideal for those who are fond of sculpting, because it is very convenient to test halftones, shades, and the arrangement of shadows on it.

Actress Jennifer Goodwin also has a classic round face shape to which you can apply special contouring.

Facial contouring and sculpting products and cosmetics

As for the brushes, then you can easily use those that you already have in stock - they do not have to be professional and natural
However, a special beveled blush brush and a few flat ones will not be superfluous at all. A universal purchase will be a brush that accommodates both natural and synthetic bristles - it easily applies cosmetics, blends it perfectly

IMPORTANT: Also, the universal brushes include No. 130-190 for applying cosmetics, and for blending - options with a straight cut. The corrector is best applied with a flat, synthetic 8 brush.

Remember that funds must be as close as possible in color to your skin... A pronounced redhead is not allowed in any case
Much depends on the type of your skin- for example, skin prone to peeling or wrinkled skin requires oily correction. Loose powder will only aggravate the situation, but oily correction will be able to nourish the skin, moisturize it, eliminate the peeling effect, and mask irregularities

IMPORTANT: If you want this type of makeup to last as much as possible, secure it on top with transparent powder - this tool will be appropriate here.

First of all, for oily correction you will need a make-up base - it can be matting, silicone, moisturizing, tightening pores, mixed. Then get a foundation of light and dark palette
Avoid products containing alcohol. But take a look at light creams if the skin to be processed is age-related. Stock up on a highlighter - it will lighten the necessary areas of the skin

Dry technique much easier to perform, ideal for oily skin. Requires the use of cosmetics made in the form of powders - shadows, powders, blush
As a base, it is recommended to use not a foundation, but a powder of a natural color, otherwise, stains will almost certainly form that cannot be shaded.

IMPORTANT: If you do not have pronounced skin problems, and you are at a loss, what technique to choose, remember that dry makeup is more suitable for daytime makeup, and oily for evening makeup or for photography.

Face contouring brushes

Above we wrote that there are no strict requirements for the selection of brushes for contouring, however in the kinds of suitable tools it's worth it to figure it out:

Kabuki brush- excellent for sculpting, as it is able to qualitatively blend the boundaries between the shades of the applied product

Flat brush with a semicircular cut- it is not suitable for shading cosmetics at all, but it is an excellent tool for applying it

Beveled brushes- they will help if you have problems applying cosmetics to the wings of the nose
However, the same model can be used to process the cheekbones - it is only important in this case to choose a greater thickness and a larger size. Also suitable for shading

Good volume domed brush- Shades shades with high quality. Often they apply powder with it, and use it to shade the powder.

Beautyblender- a tool that is also called the "pink egg" because of its external resemblance. This novelty of the world of make-up is a sponge, which with a sharp end allows you to place cosmetics in difficult places such as the corners of the wings of the nose. With a blunt end, you can make high-quality shading.

IMPORTANT: Whether or not to purchase the listed brushes is a private matter for every woman, but remember that fluffy brushes are recommended for daytime makeup. But for an evening look, you can get dense ones, as they leave more intense shades on the skin.

Face contouring and sculpting with foundation

Of course, the shades of the foundation should be selected depending on the individual characteristics of the skin, but in any case, you should stock up on three shades- similar to skin color, darker and lighter in tone
It is highly advisable to select products belonging to the same manufacturer - this way you can be sure that they will not differ in texture and consistency

IMPORTANT: All tonal creams on the palette are divided into two types - based on yellowish shades and having pinkish shades. Experts insist that colors of one type be chosen for one image.

Nowadays, tonal creams not only visually correct areas of the skin, but also take care of her no worse than nourishing creams
It is recommended to purchase just such funds, because after sculpting the face, the skin really needs to recover
Whatever you choose, be sure to make your choice in daylight, as the store often slightly embellishes the shades
If your skin is prone to redness or contains vessels close to the surface, be guided on beige but by no means pink

For contouring, you need three shades of foundation - nude, darker and lighter

Face contouring and sculpting with corrector

It is extremely important not to purchase only shimmering or only mattifying correctors - the fact is that in sculpting it is especially important to observe "Golden mean"
If you need to qualitatively designate the oval of the face, you cannot do without a combination of both shimmering and matting agents
The most visible areas of the face should be covered shimmer- this is the center of the chin, cheeks, forehead, the very tip of the nose
Try not to get the shimmery product on the wings of the nose, otherwise you will make your nose wide. But what should be applied to them is matting cosmetics, as well as to everything that is desirable to darken

IMPORTANT: Pay attention to the structure of the cosmetic - if it is too dense, use it exclusively for photo shoots or evening outings, since such correctors will look unnatural in the daytime. The undoubted advantages of a dense texture include the fact that it is not difficult to sculpt the necessary cheekbones, lips or nose with it.

If you are having trouble choosing shades of concealer, keep in mind that you can buy ready set- it contains three shades as close to each other as possible. In addition, these sets are very convenient for transportation.

Face contouring and sculpting with powder

Above we wrote that powder is a fixing agent for oily technique and the main one for dry technique. But the right remedy will still seem to glow from the inside, giving the skin freshness... This means that there will be no oily sheen, but a slight shine is a must.

Pay attention that the highlighter powder is a couple of tones lighter than foundation which is used for makeup. Pale-skinned beauties should choose on a pink palette, and for owners of skin with yellowness - respectively, on beige.

Apply highlighter in a circular motion, avoiding sharpness- this is how you blend the powder, and not smear it along with the foundation.

Contouring and sculpting the nose

Those who want to visually narrow the nose you can recommend applying a light tone on the back of the nose, the bridge of the nose, but a dark tone on the wings
The same manipulations with light means in the event that the goal is pursued make the nose shorter. But as for the dark ones, then process the tip of the nose. Shade everything thoroughly so that there are no spots.
If the nose is large in principle and you want brighten this fact, apply concealer, which is only half darker than skin tone, all over the nose. Trust me, this will have an amazing effect.
Make a nose more graceful it is possible if you draw lines with a dark tool on the sides and wings, starting from the very eyebrows

IMPORTANT: It is necessary to lighten the bridge of the nose, however, if you have a hump, it is undesirable to do this.

Lip contouring and sculpting

If you want to give your lips relief, be sure to lighten the fossa above the upper lip
The application of a highlighter along the outlines of the lower lip also helps a lot.
Leave some mother-of-pearl for the center of the lower lip - this will also contribute to the visual appearance of volume.

Eye contouring

Highlighter experts advise to apply to the inner corners of the eyes if required visually place close-set eyes. However, it will also give freshness to the look, sparkle in the eyes.
If, on the contrary, the eyes are set wide apart, apply the product on the bridge of the nose, but never on the corners
Make your eyes bigger - this is also possible if you properly shade the highlighter on the upper eyelid. A line drawn with the same tool from the middle of the eyebrow towards the temple will help to make the eyes even wider.
It is recommended to use before makeup foundation for eyelids, which will not allow cosmetics to slip
Of course worth disguising bruises and bags under the eyes- it will only benefit the image

contouring saggy cheeks

Apply several strips with a product that is a couple of shades darker than your skin. The stripes must be diagonal... You should start from the middle of the cheek, moving towards the ears. Apply with strokes.

After application add highlighter, gently mixing dark with light.

IMPORTANT: Pay close attention to the selection of the tone - the stripes when applying the wrong product are very noticeable.

Previously, the sculpting method was used exclusively in the film industry, but now this technique has spread among the masses.
Contouring for a day walk, work or for an evening out - these are different directions of visage. But if you master the basic rules, it will not be difficult to prepare yourself for all events, transforming yourself beyond recognition under the admiring glances of others.

Few of us can boast of perfect facial features - either the forehead is too wide, the nose is long, the chin is heavy, but if all of the above is included, then, as men say, “hug and cry”. However, with some knowledge, it is very easy to create the desired traits. It takes time and skill, of course, but the game is worth the candle.

So what is contouring, or what is it also called sculpting? This is nothing more than using light and dark powder, foundation, bronzer or highlighter on certain parts of the face to create visual trickery. At the same time, we darken those parts that we want to make invisible, and we lighten those parts of the face that should, on the contrary, stand out.

The only advice - if you are the owner of oily or combination skin, then it is better to choose powders and foundations with a matte effect, highlighters and bronzers with a shimmery effect are not for you!

How do you understand which zones to darken and which ones to highlight for you? It's very simple - first determine your face type. To do this, comb your hair back and go to the mirror.

Elongated face type

You have a long face;
The jawline is slightly rounded;
Hairline is rounded

Square face type

Forehead, cheekbones and jawline are approximately the same width;

Rectangular face type

You have a long face;
You have a wide jaw and a square jawline;
Forehead, cheekbones and jawline are approximately the same width;
Straight hairline, no curves

The rules for contouring an elongated, square and rectangular face type:

Highlight the forehead and chin to give your face more expression, and darken the edges to make it look narrower.

Diamond-shaped face type

High cheekbones are the widest part of your face;
The lines of the forehead and chin gradually taper;

Rules for contouring a diamond-shaped face:

Since the cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you need to darken them to balance with the rest, and the forehead and chin areas need to be lightened!

Heart-shaped face type

Your face is elongated rather than wide;
The forehead is the widest part of your face;
The jaw is the narrowest part of your face

The rules for contouring the type of face in the shape of a heart:

You need to lighten the area under the eyes, forehead and chin and darken the cheekbones and the side of the forehead.

Triangular face type

Your face is elongated rather than wide;
The forehead is the narrowest part of your face;
The jaw is the widest part of your face

Rules for contouring a triangular face type:

Highlight the area under the eyes to create the illusion of high cheekbones, the forehead area to make it wider, and the chin. Darken the sides of the face to make the face narrower.

Round face type

Your face is almost the same length and width;
The jawline is rounded;
Cheekbones are the widest part of your face;
Hairline is rounded

Rules for contouring a round face type:

Due to the fact that your face is too round, you need to make it more textured. Don't be afraid to darken your temples, cheekbones, and the sides of your face. Highlight the areas of the forehead and chin, this will help the face become more pointed.

Facial contouring, when used correctly, can work wonders: accentuate cheekbones, reduce forehead and oval face. Thanks to contouring, it is quite possible to radically change your appearance. As a matter of priority, stylists advise using this technique for those of the fairer sex who have an extremely high forehead or full face. Even girls with the correct facial features use this procedure, for example, to disguise dark circles under the eyes, or to highlight the cheekbones.

What is contouring?

Facial contouring refers to its correction with the use of cosmetics. It helps to veil problem areas of the skin, highlight the pluses of the face, correct its shape, and give facial features more expressiveness. With his support, it is quite possible to decorate rather serious flaws, for example, facial asymmetry. If there are practically no problems with the skin, contouring the face can help to give expressiveness to the appearance, skillfully highlighting its merits.

In order to master this technique, you need to study your face well. Determine what shape it has and what features require a little correction, since the contouring of a round face is different from the contouring of a triangular or elongated one. You will also need products for sculpting, they can be dry or cream, choose them based on the type of skin and the desired result. And of course, as a real artist, you will need tools - brushes and sponges, without which you cannot make high-quality face contouring. The step-by-step instructions for mastering this makeup technique will be presented below.

The disadvantage is considered to be the maximum amount of time required to complete the contouring (sculpting) of the face than to apply daily makeup. Based on this, this make-up technique is used when the most perfect makeup is needed. Events such as: Birthday, New Year, photo session, video shooting, but the result will please not only you.

What do you need to contour your face?

The methods for creating the perfect image are not complicated, you do not have to study long to master them. However, you will need special cosmetics for facial contouring. This list includes:

foundation for makeup that matches skin tone;
lightening powder (highlighter);
blush; tonal basis;
concealer is a palette with several light and dark tones.

Face contouring instructions step by step

In addition, you will need additional devices, without which face modeling will not work:

sponges;
beveled contour brush;
blush brush.

Face contouring palette

A concealer or a palette of correctors for the face is the main component of sculpting. With its help, you can darken unfortunate places and highlight advantages. There are different types of palettes in cosmetics stores. They differ from each other in the number of colors. The most budgetary ones are presented in two contrasting tones, more complex ones include up to 18 skin tones in the palette. Smashbox and Nyx are among the most popular palettes. In one concealer, warm or cold tones are often combined so that a girl with a certain skin color can buy a suitable one.

Step by step face contouring

Before applying makeup, you need to properly prepare the skin: cleanse and moisturize. If the skin is very dry and dehydrated, then you can first apply a moisturizing mask, otherwise the foundation will emphasize peeling and fine wrinkles. If the mask is oily, then after the cleansing ritual, you need to apply a matting moisturizer. So the makeup will not "float", but will be neat and persistent.

If your skin is uneven, there are enlarged pores or acne marks, then you can apply a primer or makeup base. This tool evens out the relief, allowing the foundation to lie flat, without stains, and also increases its durability.

Now apply the foundation all over the face. This can be done with the pads of your fingers, a brush, or a beauty blender. The latter will make the coating thin and light, the first two methods will give a denser layer. On problem areas - redness, dark circles under the eyes, acne - you need to apply a concealer or corrector.

Face contouring in shape: square oval triangular round

After applying the foundation, the face loses its volume, looks flat and unnatural. Therefore, even if you do not want to "sculpt" your face, a drop of bronzer under the cheekbones, a highlighter under the eyebrow and blush on the "apples" of the cheeks will not hurt. This will give the skin a fresh, rested look and natural relief.

In addition to palettes, it is quite possible to use foundation, it should be of several colors, and also powder of various tones. It is believed that the correction made with the help of powdery cosmetics looks more natural. It is much easier to blend and is much better suited for daily makeup. Contouring by means of cosmetic products based on a cream is quite laborious in execution and is more noticeable on the face, as a result of which it is recommended to be used for evening outings, for photography and video filming.

Important! When choosing cosmetics for this procedure, you should pay special attention to the one that does not shine and has a matte texture.

Face contouring brushes

What do you need to contour your face besides cosmetics? The tools, of course, are application and blending brushes. Which brushes are suitable for contouring?

Kabuki. It is a round, tightly packed brush with a thick short bristle. Ideal for applying dry bronzers and blushers.
Beveled brush. Suitable for darkening the sub-zygomatic zone, wings and nasal bridge. It is convenient for both applying and shading cosmetics.
Beauty blender. This sponge has long been the leader among all blending tools for concealers, foundations, bronzers and more. With its help, you can perfectly shade dark and light correctors, without spots, streaks and sharp edges.

Now a little about how to properly contour the face using the cosmetics already described. Let's consider several options for sculpting different ovals of the face, as well as the nose and lips.

Contouring step by step instructions at home

Face contouring step by step photo tutorial

A makeup base (the one you usually use) and a thin layer of foundation or BB cream are applied to the face. This is a mandatory face preparation before starting contouring.
We draw a nose. Draw dark lines with the corrector along the sides along the nose to the very tip. Please note that the line should be straight and not tilt to the side at the nostrils. If you want to make the nose visually longer, draw lines starting from the eyebrows.
We draw cheekbones. To do this, you need to darken the area under the cheekbone with the corrector and lighten the cheekbone itself. First, we will determine exactly where we will draw the cheekbone. Place the brush (or finger) from the ear to the corner of the lips and find the fossa under the cheekbone. So it will need to be darkened.
We darken the forehead. This step is for those who have a high forehead and who are not satisfied with this feature. The upper part of the forehead along the hairline and the areas on the sides of the forehead should be darkened.
Lightly darken the areas near the upper eyelid.
Apply a light corrector: lighten the middle of the nose (between the dark lines), the central part of the forehead and the corners under the eyes, the cheekbone (the one above the dark line you drew earlier), the area above the upper lip, the area in the corners of the lips.
The last but not least step is feathering. It is necessary to shade the dark and light contraries drawn by you very carefully so that there are no clear boundaries between them. For blending, you can use a brush or beauty blender. Begin feathering in the lighter areas and finish with the dark ones. Do not forget to shade well at the chin line, neck, ears, do not leave any noticeable ugly borders there. (Please note that you do this step if the face was corrected with cream textures. If you did the correction with dry textures, then you blend them right in the process of applying with a brush.)

This make-up technique, if performed correctly, can work wonders. Most young women have mastered face contouring a long time ago, and can skillfully use their own skills when applying spectacular makeup.

This makes it possible for them to look impeccable in all settings, hiding the existing shortcomings and advantageously emphasizing beautiful features.

What is face contouring?

Thanks to contouring, it is quite possible to radically change the appearance. As a matter of priority, stylists advise using this technique for those of the fairer sex who have an extremely high forehead or full face. Even girls with the correct facial features use this procedure, for example, to veil dark circles under the eyes, or to highlight the cheekbones.

It will take much more time to perform contouring (sculpting) than to apply a daily make-up. As a result, it is more selected for events when the face must look impeccable. For example, for a festive event, photo session, video filming.

Step by step face contouring

To perform this procedure, it is allowed to use both creamy and dry powdery products. There are countless number of face sculpting palettes in the implementation now. Stylists recommend focusing on popular brands when purchasing them, for example, NYX, Bobbi Brown, MAC. The colors presented in the palette should match the skin tone.

Important! When choosing cosmetics for this procedure, you should pay special attention to the one that does not shine and has a matte texture.

How to contour your face yourself?

Step 1. The very first and obligatory item is considered the application of the base for the make-up and a small amount of foundation or BB cream.

Step 2. Draw dark lines along the edges of the nose with a corrector. Drawn stripes should be straight and neat. If you need to visually stretch your nose, then you need to start drawing from the beginning of the eyebrows.

Step 3. Use the corrector to darken the part of the face that is just under the cheekbone, and lighten it itself. To determine which specific area needs to be made darker, you need to apply a brush from the earlobe to the corner of the lips and find a dimple.

Step 4. If the forehead is high, then darken the areas on the sides and the one next to the beginning of the hair.

Step 5. Areas around the upper eyelids are slightly darkened.

Step 6. Apply a light tone (highlighter) as follows:

between the drawn dark lines on the nose;
to the center of the frontal lobe;
in the corners of the eyes;
on the part of the cheekbone located above the previously drawn line;
on the area of skin above the upper lip;
on the edges of the lips.

Step 7. It is necessary to shade light and dark lines so that all transitions between them are smoothed, insignificant. It is better to start this procedure with light areas. Do not forget about the lines of the chin, neck and ears.

Do not forget! If the contouring of the face was carried out with dry cosmetics, then shading should be done during their application.

How to contour your face?

In order to start using this technique, you need to determine the shape of the face. The sequence of your further actions depends on it. To do this, you need to pin your hair and go to the mirror.

A face is considered round if:

Its dimensions are approximately the same on all sides.
The outlines of the chin are smoothed.
The cheekbones are considered to be the largest part of the face.
The line of the beginning of hair growth is rounded.

The face is considered oval when:

It is elongated.
Its outline is similar to an inverted egg.
The forehead is visually wider than the chin.
The cheekbones are considered the most prominent part.

A square face is inherent in:

Large jaw and square chin.
Forehead, cheekbones, lower part of the face are approximately the same size.
The hairline is straight.

Women often refer to themselves as a rectangular type of face, which they found in themselves:

Its elongation.
Large jaw, square chin.
Cheekbones, hairline and forehead are the same length.

The owners of a triangular face are more often considered by those who noticed in themselves:

Elongated face.
The forehead is not wide, and the jaw is the widest part.

Once the shape has been figured out, you can start sculpting, taking into account the advice of experts.

Round face contouring

Round face contouring is done by shading areas on the sides of the forehead and cheeks (up to the angle of the lower jaw). The light tone is superimposed under the eyes, in the center of the frontal lobe and chin. The goal in the performance of the technique in this case is the limiting narrowing and sharpening of such a form.

Oval face contouring

There is no need to contour a rounded face, just apply blush. This type is taken as a standard when defining basic techniques. If contouring is required for a photo shoot, they advise:

Apply a light tone:
- under the eyes by drawing a triangle;
- on the main part of the nose, the bridge of the nose;
- above the lips (center);
- neat stripes from the edges of the lips to the lower jaw;
- on the center of the chin;
Corrector overlay:
- within the hairline and temporal areas;
- on the cheekbones;
- from the sides of the nose;
- on the edges of the chin;
- gently shade everything;
Cover face with loose colorless powder.

Contouring a square face

Square face contouring is performed to correct wide cheekbones. You need to apply a little light tone in the center of the forehead, chin, under the eyes. Darker it is necessary to highlight the lateral areas of the skin on the forehead, temples, the corners of the lower jaw and cheeks.

Contouring a rectangular face

Contouring a rectangular face will only require applying a highlighter to the middle of the forehead and chin. The corrector is distributed on the forehead and lower jaw; it is not necessary to apply it to the temples.

Contouring a triangular face

A triangular face is contoured by lightening areas of the skin below the eyes, the center of the chin and forehead. Darken the areas of the temples, the upper part of the cheeks, slightly touching the cheekbones, forehead (on the sides).

In the video below, the makeup artist will clearly show how to contour the face with an oblong heart-shaped shape, so you can turn on and repeat all the steps to be sure to do it correctly.

Face contouring rules

Before using this technique, it is recommended to carefully choose a palette. It features liquid-based correctors for dark and light tones. It is better to give preference to one that consists of natural colors, without bright red and orange shades.

If the skin of the face is inexpressive, then it is advisable to select cold tones. For brunettes with light tanned skin, a palette with warm brown tones is more suitable. Young women with dark skin should pay special attention to dark brown ones with decorative elements.

Before starting the contouring procedure, you need to:

Cleanse the surface of the face from contamination with special cosmetics;
If the skin is dry, then it is advisable to apply a moisturizer. Owners of oily skin need to remove shine with lotion;
Concealer needs to hide skin defects: freckles, age spots;
Apply foundation;
Powder your face.

Besides, make-up artists have developed special rules that can help the fairer sex to avoid mistakes when performing this procedure:

You do not need to mix oily foundation with powdered powders. It will not work to shade the boundaries of their mixing so that they are invisible;
In order to see the result of the make-up, you should take a photograph;
The effect of "sweaty skin" under the nose can be removed by applying a matte highlighter shade under the nasolabial triangle;
It is not necessary to lighten the prominent parts of the face too much with pearlescent light tones. Doing so can cause reflective effects when the camera flashes and ruin the picture.

Do not forget! Cosmetics should be applied gradually. There is no need to focus on the make-up itself. Products applied to the skin during this procedure should emphasize the merits and hide defects, but not demonstrate the number of cosmetics you have.

There are never too many lessons, especially when they are taught by a famous Russian stylist-make-up artist. A very light and neat contouring will turn out just after watching this video.