Thursday 2 August 2012

Face Contouring


Hiya!

Today I wanted to show a little bit of face contouring. I'm going to be using alot of product to show the full effects on camera, it looks great for a night out face, but for daytime just tone it down and use less!

Most people know what face contouring is, for those who don't, its a way of using makeup to slim, define or accentuate areas of the face, and highlight other areas to give your face more dimension

To put it simply, think of the areas of your face that light will naturally hit, those should be highlighted, areas that light wouldn't naturally shine on, should be contoured.

face contouring

Here's a very attractive picture of me trying to show you the basics, I look so serious! Haha x


So, I'll show you guys a little contouring using a nice and cheap kit, then mabye later we'll advance it and get more professional and complex! Exciting!


face contouring
face contouring
I'm using good old Sleek Makeup with their face contour kit, costing £6.49 its pretty cheap, lasts ages, and it comes in Light, Medium and Dark so theres one for most skin types.

If you wanna use things you already have lying about,  highlighters examples are Mac in Shell or Benefit HighBeam - anything like that

For the contouring, you need a powder a few shades darker than your skin, making sure it is a matte (no shine) - Benefit Hoola Powder works great!

For actual brushes, I'm keeping this really simple, using a basic blusher brush, eyeshadow blending brush and shader brushes, as I always say, whatever works for you!

So, let's begin!

To start off, apply your usual foundation, concealer, whatever you do to create your "base"
face contouring
 I'm starting off with my nose, using a shader brush, I applied lightly down both sides of my nose, and the tip slightly

face contouring
When your blending it in, always blend in the same direction you applied it, so it doesn't spread the colour everywhere you dont want it to be!

face contouring
For the cheeks, your wanting to contour below the hollow of your cheekbone, if it helps, hold a brush to your face, lining it up with the top of your ear to your lips, then apply underneath, this also helps you get it even on both sides of your face

face contouring


Follow up to your temples, and slightly along your forehead

face contouring
Don't forget a little bit on your jawline, and remember your neck too!  Sometimes its nice to apply to your collarbones too, just to make them stand out a little more

face contouring
I cant say this enough - BLEND BLEND BLEND! I used an old foundation brush to really buff into my skin, you don't want ANY harsh lines on your face

face contouring
I just used my fingers to apply the powder highlighter.....
face contouring
And if your using a liquid highlighter, just dab slightly with your middle finger, have a peak at the picture at the top for basic highlight areas.

Obviously, you'll know your own face, some people have lovely dewy skin and wont require much highlight, others might want a more dramatic look for a photo shoot or nighttime look, I've used alot to show up better in pictures for you guys, time for some befores and afters!

face contouring
face contouring
face contouring
This was taken in natural light....
face contouring


See how slimmer the nose looks, and the cheekbones look more prominent

Remember to think about your lighting when your contouring, in a dimly lit room you could go overboard!

face contouring
Sorry Nicki if thats the look you wanted, but not my idea of contouring!


What do you think?  Dramatic yes, but you could also do it really subtle, just a touch would look fab!
The sleek kit isn't bad, a little hard to blend, but for the price, you cant complain!  Practise makes perfect with contouring, keep experimenting - I'm still learning, but that's my attempts so far!

Let me know if you try it out!

Gem x

face contouring









22 comments:

  1. Great instructional post love the finished look on you doll!
    xo,
    http://missmelissafashionandbeautyblog.blogspot.com/

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  2. i love how detailed it is!
    I usually use powder and highlighter to contour and highlight, but using a darker foundation also works!

    Say meow to me on:
    Miss Kwong: From Catwalk to Classroom
    Facebook: Miss Kwong From Catwalk to Classroom

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  3. This post is fab! You look great :) xxx.

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  4. great post! at first i was worried that the first picture was the final contouring hehe :P x

    www.katvlogsyeah.blogspot.com

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  5. This is such an amazing post! very very helpful and informative, keep up the great work <3 can't wait to try Sleek face contour kit, i love Sleek! :)

    hope you have a fab day hun! ~ xx
    Chriissydollxo's Blog

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  6. love this post, i have no idea how to contour either, first photo scared me a bit though, but now i see it's actually not so bad, here's to a slimmer nose!! Hooray! :) xx

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  7. Hi, I am now following you too! I love your blog, it's so girly and pretty! This post is amazing, hahaa and I love the first photo. x

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  8. Great post and love the pictures with it hun x now following x DollhouseMB x

    my blog: http://dollhousemakeupandbeauty.blogspot.com

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  9. Oh and btw I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award, all the information is on my blog! x

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  10. The first picture made me laugh so much! (: But this is a great post, super detailed and informative! (:

    I love your blog, new follower!


    Stephoosh

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  11. nicely done! Contouring and highlighting are my favorite parts of applying makeup so this was fun to read. I also like the added photo of NM there...very amusing touch!

    <3 Jessica

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    Replies
    1. Haha I seen it and was like omg Nicki noooooo!

      Thanks for your replies everyone xxx

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  12. Great post! & I love your technique. I always do this to my cheeks & eyebrows, but never to my nose. I'll definitely give it a go tomorrow :) xx

    jensbrightandbeautiful.blogspot.com

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  13. Great guide to contouring! Love your blog, great posts, just subscribed! :)

    Kayleigh xxx

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  14. Great post! I tagged you for the Liebster Blog Award :) http://prettylittlethings7.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/liebster-blog-award.html x

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  15. hey lovely, just popping by to let you know i've tagged you in the 'liebster blog award' tag! x

    You can find the post here! http://www.katblogsyeah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/liebster-blog-award.html

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  16. I just tagged you for the Liebstar Award Tag! :)

    Read it in my blog http://littlewhitemirror.blogspot.pt/2012/08/liebster-award.html

    xx


    guess you you had already been tagged, sorry :S

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  17. The most helpful post I've seen on contouring! and you look gorgeous!

    xoxo
    Madiha

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  18. wow! love this! i am definitely going to have to try the sleek contour set!

    hayley
    xox

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  19. Wow! Great job! Thanks for this make-up tutorial! I'm looking forward to watching videos from you!

    Folding Shoes

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