How to Highlight and Contour Your Face

Are you tired of your makeup routine or simply want to add some definition to your face?

Highlighting and contouring are essential makeup techniques that can enhance your natural features and add dimension to your face. By strategically applying light and dark makeup products, you can define your cheekbones, slim your nose, and create a sculpted, balanced look. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle daytime glow or a more dramatic evening effect, mastering these techniques can elevate your makeup game. Additionally, highlighting and contouring can be customized to suit different face shapes, allowing you to enhance your unique features.

With the right tools and a bit of practice, anyone can learn the basics of how to highlight and contour your face. Let’s dive into the details and discover how to achieve a flawless, contoured look.

What Are the Benefits of Highlighting and Contouring?

Highlighting and contouring are essential techniques in makeup application that can offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Enhancing Facial Features: By highlighting certain areas and contouring others, you can create the illusion of more defined cheekbones, a slimmer nose, or a sharper jawline.
• Adding Dimension to the Face: Using different shades of highlight and contour can add depth and dimension to your face, making it appear more three-dimensional rather than flat.
• Achieving a Flawless Complexion: When done correctly, highlighting and contouring can help conceal imperfections and uneven skin tone, giving you a smoother and more even complexion.
• Creating Different Looks for Different Occasions: By using different techniques and products, you can make a subtle everyday look or a dramatic evening look, depending on the occasion.

What Will You Need?

To achieve a flawless highlighted and contoured look, you will need:

• Highlighting Products: These can include cream or powder highlighters in shades that complement your skin tone.
• Contouring Products: This can be in the form of a contour palette with various shades to choose from, or a matte bronzer 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone.
• Brushes: A fluffy brush for highlighting and a smaller, angled brush for contouring.
• Blending Sponge or Brush: To blend out any harsh lines and create a seamless finish.
• Setting Powder: To set your makeup and prevent it from shifting throughout the day.

10 Easy Steps on How to Highlight and Contour Your Face

Step 1. Start with a Clean and Moisturized Face

Before starting your highlight and contour routine, ensure your face is thoroughly cleansed to remove any dirt, oils, or leftover makeup. Follow this step by applying a moisturizer suitable for your skin type to keep your skin hydrated and create a smooth base for makeup application. A well-prepped face not only helps your makeup look flawless but also ensures it lasts longer throughout the day. If you have extra time, consider applying a primer after moisturizing. Primer helps minimize the appearance of pores, evens out skin texture, and provides a solid base for the products you’ll be using. This preparation step is crucial for achieving a polished final look.

Step 2. Apply Foundation

Choosing the right foundation is essential for creating an even and natural-looking complexion. Start by selecting a shade that closely matches your skin tone and undertone. Use a makeup sponge, foundation brush, or clean fingertips to apply the product onto your skin. Begin in the center of your face, focusing on areas such as the cheeks, nose, and forehead, then blend outward toward your jawline and hairline to avoid visible lines. Build up coverage gradually, applying thin layers until you achieve your desired level of coverage. For a flawless finish, gently press the product into your skin with a damp sponge to eliminate streaks and ensure a smooth, seamless application.

Step 3. Highlight Key Areas

Use a highlighter to emphasize the high points of your face where light naturally hits. Apply the product to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, your brow bones, and your cupid’s bow. For a subtle glow, use a light hand and blend the product carefully with a brush or sponge. If you’re aiming for a more dramatic look, build up the product gradually to achieve your desired intensity. This step will add dimension to your face and enhance your natural features, leaving you with a radiant, lifted appearance.

Step 4. Contour the Shadows

To contour the shadows, select a contour product that is one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply the product to areas you want to define and add depth, such as the hollows of your cheeks, along your jawline, the sides of your nose, and around your hairline. Use a small, angled brush or a makeup sponge to place the product precisely. Blend thoroughly to avoid harsh lines, ensuring a seamless and natural appearance. Contouring creates contrast and enhances the structure of your face, giving it a sculpted, polished look.

Step 5. Blend, Blend, Blend

Blending is the key to achieving a flawless makeup look. After applying your contour, highlight, and any other products, use a clean blending brush, a beauty sponge, or your fingers to softly blend them into your skin. Work in gentle, circular motions to ensure that there are no visible lines or harsh edges. Pay special attention to areas where different products meet, such as between your bronzer and highlight, to create a seamless transition. Take your time with this step, as a well-blended makeup look not only appears natural but also enhances your overall appearance effortlessly.

Step 6. Set with Setting Powder

To lock in your makeup and ensure it lasts throughout the day, apply a setting powder to your face. Use a fluffy brush or a powder puff to lightly dust the setting powder over areas that tend to get oily, such as your T-zone. This step helps to reduce shine, minimize creasing, and keep your makeup intact for longer periods. Be careful not to overapply, as using too much powder can make your makeup look cakey. For a natural finish, opt for a translucent powder or one that matches your skin tone. If desired, focus on specific areas like under the eyes to set concealer and prevent it from settling into fine lines.

Step 7. Add Blush

Adding blush is a great way to bring a natural flush and dimension to your face. Choose a blush shade that complements your skin tone—soft pinks and peaches work well for fair skin, while deeper berry or coral tones suit medium to darker complexions. Using a fluffy blush brush, lightly sweep the product onto the apples of your cheeks, blending it outward towards your temples for a seamless look. Build the color gradually to avoid applying too much in one go. Cream blushes can also be used for a dewy finish—just dab and blend with your fingertips or a makeup sponge for a fresh, natural glow.

Step 8. Enhance with Highlighter

Choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone—pearlescent or champagne shades work well for fair skin, while gold or bronze tones flatter medium to deep complexions. Using a small, precise brush or your fingertips, apply the highlighter to the high points of your face where the light naturally hits. Focus on areas such as the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the brow bone, and the cupid’s bow. Blend the product well to avoid any harsh lines and to create a luminous, radiant finish. For an extra glowing effect, you can also lightly dust a shimmering highlighting powder over your collarbones and shoulders.

Step 9. Refine the Details

Once your highlighter has been blended to perfection, take a moment to assess the overall look. Pay close attention to any areas that may need a slight adjustment. For instance, use a clean brush or sponge to softly blend any edges where the highlighter might appear too intense. If desired, add a touch more product to areas that need an extra pop of radiance. Finally, set your makeup with a fine mist setting spray to lock everything in place and enhance the dewy finish.

Step 10. Finish with a Setting Spray

Once your entire makeup look is complete, it’s time to seal it with a setting spray. Hold the bottle about 8-10 inches away from your face and mist evenly in an “X” and “T” motion. This ensures that the product is distributed equally across your skin, helping to lock in your makeup for long-lasting wear. A good setting spray not only keeps your makeup intact but can also enhance your desired finish—be it matte, dewy, or natural. Allow the spray to dry naturally without touching your face, and you’re ready to go!

By following these simple steps, you can achieve a flawless and long-lasting makeup look that will stay put throughout the day.

Conclusion

How to contour your face can transform your features and enhance your natural beauty when done correctly.

It’s all about understanding your face shape, choosing the right products, and blending thoroughly for a seamless finish. Highlighting draws attention to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and brow bones, while contouring creates shadows to add dimension and structure.

With practice and precision, these techniques can help you achieve a professional and polished look, elevating your makeup routine to the next level.