What Is Contour Makeup? A Beginner's Guide to Sculpting Your Face
, by Lewkin Unnie, 6 min reading time
You know that feeling of scrolling Instagram and wondering how your favorite influencers get those jaw-dropping cheekbones and flawless jawlines? Spoiler alert: it's not just good genes or expensive treatments.
Welcome to the magical world of contour makeup, where makeup meets art, and anyone can sculpt their face to total perfection. Whether you're a makeup newbie or a beauty buff looking to up your game, contouring is your new BFF.
It’s like a secret weapon in your beauty arsenal that can transform your look from everyday to runway in just a few steps. And the best part is that it's not as complicated as it looks.
By the end of this Lewkin guide, you'll be ready to slay your contour game like a pro.
What Is Contour Makeup?
So, what exactly is contour makeup? Think of it as the ultimate face hack. Contouring is all about creating shadows and highlights on your face to enhance your natural features.
It's like having a mini face-lift without the surgery. Using a mix of darker and lighter shades, you can define your cheekbones, slim down your nose, and carve out that jawline.
Contour makeup isn't a new thing, though. It’s been around forever in the beauty world, but it really took off thanks to hot celebs and influencers.
Remember when Kim K. broke the internet with her contour and highlight routine? That’s when everyone started paying attention, and now it's a staple in beauty routines everywhere — and for all the best reasons!
What Are the Benefits of Contouring?
Curious why contouring is a must-have in your beauty routine? Beyond just looking fab, contouring offers a ton of benefits that enhance your natural features and give you that extra boost of confidence, so you can slay the day.
Let’s break down why this makeup magic is worth the hype.
Enhanced Features
Contouring is like a magic trick for your face. It highlights your best features and subtly downplays the ones you’re not as fond of. Want sky-high cheekbones? Done. A sharper jawline? You got it. Contouring helps you play up what you love and tweak what you don't.
Face Sculpting
Think of contouring as your personal sculptor. By adding depth and dimension, you can reshape your face to get that sculpted, chiseled look. It's like Photoshop, but IRL.
Customization
One of the coolest things about contouring is how easy it is to customize and tweak. You can tailor your contouring routine to suit your face shape and your personal style.
Whether you want a dramatic transformation or just a subtle enhancement, contouring lets you do you. Both or either? It all depends on the day!
Confidence Boost
The truth is, looking good makes you feel good. Nailing your contour can give you that extra boost of confidence to conquer your day. When you know your face is on point, it’s like you’re ready for anything.
What Contouring Essentials Do I Need?
Alright, beauty buffs, it’s time to talk essentials. If you’re ready to dive into the contouring game, here’s what you need to slay:
Tools & Brushes
Your hands are great, but the right tools take your contour game to the next level. You’ll need a contour brush (angled or flat-top), a blending sponge (beauty blender, anyone?), and a fan brush for that perfect highlight.
Contour Products
Creams, sticks, powders — take your pick! Creams and sticks are perfect for a more dramatic look — make it werk — while powders are great for a subtle, everyday vibe. Make sure to have a darker shade (two to three shades darker than your skin) and a lighter shade or highlighter (one to two shades lighter).
Blending BFFs
A seamless blend is the goal. To score big every time, you need a damp beauty sponge and blending brushes — no fine lines here!
Setting Power
You want to keep your makeup masterpiece shining right? A good setting powder or spray make all the difference, and keeps your look glowing after the last set of the night.
What Are the Best Steps for Contouring?
Ready to transform your face? Follow these steps and get ready to glow:
Prep Your Skin
Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply primer to create a smooth base and help your makeup last all day. Plus, moisturizer makes you feel smooth and healthy.
Foundation Base
Apply your favorite foundation to even out your skin tone. This sets the stage for your contour magic.
Map Your Face
Suck in your cheeks and swipe the darker shade along the hollows for the cheekbones and apply along the hairline to make a large forehead appear smaller. For the nose, draw lines down the sides to slim it down, and for the jawline, trace along your jawline to define and create a sharper look. Snatched? Snatched.
Highlight
Use the lighter shade to highlight under your eyes, on the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, and your chin. Highlighter helps brighten and bring forward these areas for a balanced look — because, baby, you deserve to pop.
Blend, Blend, Blend
This is where the magic happens. Use your damp beauty sponge or brushes to blend the lines until there are no harsh edges. The goal is a natural, sculpted look.
Set Your Look
Use a setting powder or spray to lock in your makeup. This keeps everything in place and gives you a flawless finish, so you can slay the day in style.
Ready, Set, Contour With Lewkin
And there you have it, beauty buffs! Contouring isn't just a trend. It's a game-changing technique that can elevate your makeup routine to new heights.
By enhancing your natural features and sculpting your face, you can achieve that chiseled, Insta-worthy look with just a few swipes and blends. Remember, contouring is all about practice and finding what works best for your unique face shape and style.
Start with the basics, experiment with different techniques, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes — they’re all part of the learning process. With the right tools, products, and a little bit of patience, you'll be contouring like a pro in no time.
Ready to explore more makeup magic? Dive into Lewkin's beauty collection for all your contouring needs and more. Keep it minimal, keep it real, and most importantly, keep it you.
Sources:
The fascinating history of the catwalk show | Harper's Bazaar
We’re Living in the Golden Age of Contouring | The New York Times
Why Self-Confidence Is More Important Than You Think | Psychology Today
How to Find Your Face Shape | Real Simple
