Creative Contouring

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Achieving a more angular face is easier than you think. The trick lies in the art of contouring. So, why the hype and what exactly is it? Cosmetically, it’s all about creating shadows to define certain areas of your face, to give it a more sculpted look. And the best way to do this is by ‘pushing back’ some facial features while ‘pulling out’ others, with the help of some basic techniques and cool, easy-to-use products.

PRODUCTS
Foundations: Using a stick foundation will help you define features a lot more easily, especially when you’re new to contouring. Apply a darker formula to ‘push’ features back and a lighter one to ‘pull’ them out.

Bronzer and Highlighter: Get the desired angular look by using a combination of matte bronzer and highlighter.

Brushes and Sponges: Whether using brushes, make-up sponges or beauty blenders, just make sure you blend well. With such a variety of items available, there’s one to suit every face shape and angle.

Loose Powder: You need something to set the look – seal everything into place with a translucent powder.

Like all make-up, contour according to the shape of your face, accentuating your best features and hiding your flaws.

TECHNIQUE
Contouring: It’s all about adding dimension to your face, so contour where shadows naturally fall on your face.
• Prep your face with primer and foundation to create a uniform base.
• Use a darker foundation at the temples and along the hairline.
• Find the hollow of your cheeks and apply just above it, under the cheek bone.
• For the nose, apply along the side and towards the tip. To add length, trace all the way into the brow.
• Apply along the side of the jawline and under the chin.
• Blend into the base foundation with a fluffy brush in a circular motion.

• Contour your temples to make your face more oval, your nose to give it more definition, cheeks to make your face look slimmer, jaws to give more shape and avoid double-chin in photos, and eyelid crease to make your eyes pop.

Highlighting: This is to enhance your features, so apply highlighter where light naturally falls on your face.
• Use a lighter foundation underneath the eye, in the middle of the forehead as well as on the chin and the bridge of your nose.
• Blend well with a damp beauty blender.
• Finish off by applying a loose or translucent powder all over the face.

TOP HACKS
• Choose products that are no more than two shades deeper than your skin tone.
• Mix textures. Use matte formulas for contouring and shimmery ones for highlighting.
• Don’t go overboard. Focus on forehead, nose, cheeks and jawline. And blend, blend, blend!