Want to enhance your natural beauty? Add contouring to your makeup routine. By applying blush, bronzer, concealer and foundation in the right places, you can brighten, define and enhance your facial features.
Makeup tips to contour your face
Read More How To
Contour your face
What is contouring, and why do it?
Makeup contouring creates shadows to sculpt and define facial features. Highlighting complements that definition by brightening and enhancing the high points of your face like the cheekbones, bridge of nose and brow bone.
Liquid products like foundation and concealer are key to contouring, but those new to the technique might consider using pressed powders instead.
"Contouring with powder products can be a bit subtler and easier to do for some,” says John Miller, Director of Education at Clinique.
For contouring, Miller recommends a foundation or concealer that’s a shade or two deeper than your skin’s undertone; for highlighting, choose one that's a shade or two lighter.
How to contour your face
Contouring is not difficult, provided you have the right products and guidance. Here, we’ll take you through the process using basic cosmetics like blush, bronzer, concealer and foundation.
Cheek Pop™ Powder Blush
A sculpted look with blush: Apply blush — like Cheek Pop — under the cheekbones, pulling the color down toward the mouth, then blending upwards. Apply the remaining color to the forehead, temples, and jawline.
True Bronze™ Pressed Powder Bronzer
A sun-kissed look with bronzer: Sweep bronzer over cheekbones, nose, forehead, and neck (we suggest True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer). Add a bit more to the hollows — the sides of the nose, below the jawline and right under the cheekbones — to add depth and definition.
Blush contouring by face shape
Create contour using your favorite blush and brush:
- Oval: Apply to top of cheekbones, blending inwards; add remaining color to temples.
- Oblong: Apply under the cheekbones. Blend inwards and upwards, then apply remaining color to forehead, temples and jawline.
- Square and Round: Apply under the cheekbones and blend inwards, then apply remaining color to forehead, temples and jawline.
- Heart: Apply to apples of cheeks and blend, then apply remaining color to forehead and tip of chin.
- Diamond: Apply to apples of cheeks and blend, then apply remaining color to tip of nose.of chin.
Sculpting and highlighting with complexion products
For these next contoured looks, select from Clinique’s line of sculpting and highlighting products, including:
Chubby Stick™ Sculpting Contour | Chubby Stick™ Sculpting Highlight
- Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour and Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight: The first defines and adds depth, the second reflects light and adds some sheen.
Even Better™ Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 | Even Better™ All-Over Concealer + Eraser
True Highlight Compact
- True Highlight Compact: Its weightless, emollient-rich formula blends seamlessly for a radiant finish that enhances your natural beauty.
Remember, choose shades a few shades darker for contour and a few shades lighter for highlight — just be sure you choose shades with the same undertone as your skin tone.
Contouring and highlighting by face shape
Here’s how to do both to accentuate the shape of your face:
Oval
- Where to contour: Under cheekbones and at temples
- Where to highlight: Top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, above brow and Cupid’s bow
Square
- Where to contour: Cheekbones, side of forehead at temples and jawline
- Where to highlight: Cheekbones, side of forehead at temples and jawline
Round
- Where to contour: Under cheekbones, at temples and along jawline
- Where to highlight: Top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, above brow and Cupid’s bow
Oblong
- Where to contour: Cheekbones, along jawline and on forehead at temples
- Where to highlight: Top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, above outer brow and Cupid's bow
Diamond
- Where to contour: Cheekbones, chin and at jawline; can add a touch on the top of forehead
- Where to highlight: Top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, above brow and Cupid's bow; forehead is optional
Heart
- Where to contour: Forehead above temples, cheeks and under chin toward neck
- Where to highlight: Top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, above brow and Cupid's bow
For any of the above looks, you can also apply to sides of nose for a more defined look.
Contouring and highlighting for men
Here’s how men can contour and highlight:
- Blend concealer underneath eyes and elsewhere to mask any discoloration.
- To contour: Apply darker concealer just below cheekbones, under the widest parts of jawline and the hairline at forehead, as well as on the sides of nose.
- To highlight: Apply lighter concealer on cheekbones, jawline, bridge of nose and right between brows.
Experiment with product placement and shades to achieve the contoured and highlighted looks you desire.
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Black Honey Pop
Cheek Pop™ Powder Blush
3.5g/.12 oz.
3.5g/.12 oz.
3.5g/.12 oz.
3.5g/.12 oz.
3.5g/.12 oz.
3.5g/.12 oz.
