Lots of makeup trends come and go, but one that’s not going anywhere is face contour.
Don’t know how to contour? You’re not alone. For many makeup lovers, the technique seems brand-new. But in reality, makeup artists have been doing it since the 1930s. That said, contour was seemingly brought to the masses more recently by makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic (also known as “Makeup by Mario,”) who’s known for creating Kim Kardashian’s famous sculpted features. And the rest is history.
According to celebrity makeup artist and Mary Kay ambassador Jaleesa Jaikaran, contouring is a way to transform your face shape. “You’re essentially creating an optical illusion on your skin using different shades of makeup to enhance your bone structure and features,” she explains.
If you’re wondering how you, too, can look snatched to the gods, you’ve come to the right place. We talked to leading makeup artists to give you the scoop on how to execute a contoured makeup look. And BTW, your contour doesn’t have to be as extreme as some of the celebs’ that we see on the red carpet. There are many iterations of contouring, some more soft and subtle than others, that make it more wearable on a daily basis. There’s also the trend of underpainting that calls for applying your contour below your foundation, for a more natural look. Read on for a 101 lesson on contouring.
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Prep your skin.
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again, good makeup has a lot to do with the condition of your skin underneath. Starting with a clean face, apply a moisturizer like Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream–it’s a staple in so many makeup artists’ kits for a reason; it plumps and hydrates, leaving behind a dreamy glow. Then, go in with a primer that will help your makeup last all day. We like Beautyblender’s new Boost Firming & Smoothing Peptide Primer because it’s packed with skin-loving peptides and locks in makeup for up to 18 hours.
Lay your base.
Your contour will look best when it’s applied on top of a smooth, even-toned canvas. Applying your normal foundation should be fine, but do keep in mind that if you’re using a powder formula, it may not play well with a cream contour over top. Once you’ve applied your foundation and touched up any areas of discoloration with concealer, you’re ready to get into chiseling with your contour. Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation offers good coverage without feeling too heavy or cakey.
