Use Makeup to Contour
Posted on 28 December 2007
Just because you weren't born with cheekbones like a supermodel doesn't mean you can't own them…without plastic surgery. Makeup artists have long known how to use makeup to contour or create shadows where none naturally exist. This is a technique that takes a practiced hand; you want it to look natural, not like you're creating shadows.
So how do you define cheekbones? Use two colors of blush, close in tone (that means, if you're using one peach blush, both should be peach; two pinks; two bronzes, etc.). Suck in your cheeks and sweep the darker blush directly under your cheekbones, or where the hollow is created. Sweep the lighter color onto the apples of your cheeks. Blend, blend, blend.
Want to make a round face narrower? Again, you'll need two shades of loose powder, one only slightly darker than your complexion, the other lighter. Sweep the darker powder all the way along your jawline, using a fan brush like this instead of the normal big, puffy brush you use for face powder.
This may take some practice, so set aside a day when you have time to try these techniques and see if you can't create great angles with simple makeup application instead of expensive surgery.
'Til next time, my pretties.
1 Response to Use Makeup to Contour
While is possible to do some contouring, it’s very hard to make it look natural, so I advise people to practice, practice, practice before going out in public. First, it’s one of those things that tends to look better in photos or on stage. And second, people often go too far down the cheek — especially it you’re using blush which looks unnatural if you’re putting it somewhere where you don’t naturally blush (same goes for bronzer being put where the sun doesn’t hit as much). The effect is that it looks like bad drag makeup.
Instead of adding blush or bronzer below the cheekbones, I’d recommend going with something more natural looking, like a foundation that’s just a shade or two darker (blended well, of course). Then keep the blush or bronzer just where it looks natural.