window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GEQWY429QJ');

 

ENTITY discusses the ways to highlight and contour

Understanding how to contour and highlight when doing your makeup is not the easiest technique, but practice makes perfect. All it takes is a couple of YouTube tutorials, some good concealer, foundation and a lot of patience. You may not get the expected results on the first try and that’s totally normal.

It may not be necessary to complete your look, but giving your cheekbones just a little more definition or bringing the eye towards certain parts of your face might give you the extra kick you need to get out and enjoy yourself.

All you have to do is follow these easy steps to achieve the best results.

1 Cleansing and Masking

ENTITY discusses the best way to contour and highlight

Photo via Unsplash

Having the perfect contour and highlight is not just about applying the makeup. The first step before applying anything is to prepare your skin for all of the products you’re about to use. Not only will this put down a great starting base, but it’ll prevent blemishes by keeping your pores from clogging up. Always remember, clogged pores equals future blemishes. For a perfect finish, we need the skin to be clear from build-up and as silky smooth as you can get it.

Fresh is a great skincare brand that caters to all skin types (normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive), promotes brightness and can be found at Sephora. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser will work as your solution to dryness, dullness and any uneven surfaces. It’ll also promote firmness and elasticity.

Many people prefer to also apply a mask, which you can do both before and after a cleanse. Masks aren’t for everybody but as long as you’re using one that best fits your needs — whether it’s a tea tree clay mask pulling at impurities or a rose tea mask to add moisture. You can also buy them at most drug stores.

2 Locking in Moisture

ENTITY Discusses how to contour and highlight

Photo via @firstaidbeauty / Instagram

Now that your face is clean, you’ll need to both moisturize your face and lock it all in. The best way to do this is with a hydrating cream, a serum or both. It might sound like a bit much, and it adds another product to your collection, but a moisturizer will have your highlight and contour looking amazing. You don’t want dry, cracked-up skin due to caking your face with all that makeup.

One product to try that provides total moisture is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, which can be found at Sephora. This is “an all-over moisturizer that provides instant relief and long-term hydration for dry, distressed skin and eczema.” Not only is this great for all skin types, but it gives you intense hydration, which is the ultimate goal.

3 Priming

ENTITY discusses how to contour and highlight

Photo via @smashboxcosmetics / Instagram

Okay now that your face is clean, you can apply your makeup. A good rule of thumb before applying the big cosmetics is to not forget to prime. Primer works as a blur to the pores, which is especially important if you suffer from enlarged pores. Using a primer will pretty much fill in the blanks on your skin, so you don’t see your pores once you highlight.

Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer makes for the perfect base when prepping your skin. This clear primer is great on all skin types and lasts for a long time. Not only does it reduce the appearance of fine lines and uneven textures, but “it contains antioxidants vitamins A and E and peptides that help protect your skin from environmental pollutants, damage, and stress.”

4 Contouring

Let the games begin. Contouring is probably the best part of doing your makeup. It gives your face structure and definition, which then beautifully enhances the features of your face that you probably never noticed before. Contouring is the opposite of highlighting; you use a darker concealer, foundation or powder and apply it to the areas of your face where light doesn’t reflect. Typically contouring is applied to the sides of the nose, under the cheekbones (specifically in those hollow areas), under the bottom lip, under the jawline and around the edges of the forehead.

There are so many contour kits out there and so many different ways you can do it, but Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Contour Cream Kit is an amazing product! The brand features four differently-shaded kits from light to dark, which is great for all skin tones.

5 Highlighting

Now that you’ve covered your face in dark makeup, you provide the lightness. All you have to do is apply concealer under the eyes, on the bridge of the nose, cupids bow, chin and forehead. It’s also important for the concealer to at least be a few shades lighter than your skin tone for the proper amount of brightness.

If you forget where you’re supposed to apply it, think about the areas of your face where light reflects. Then you’ll have a dusting a glittery fairy dust that makes you glow.

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna has a great collection of highlighters that come in both compact and stick form to achieve a perfect shimmery finish. For an even greater effect, the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter is the way to go. This cream-powder is very lightweight which means it’ll blend with very little effort, unlike most highlighters.

Now that you have all the tools, it’s time to give contouring a shot. Don’t worry if you mess up the first time. Practice makes perfect.

 

Send this to a friend