In the quest for flawless, sculpted features, mastering the art of contouring and highlighting is essential. Foundation, often seen as the backbone of every makeup routine, can be utilized to create depth and dimension to the face. This article explores various techniques that can be employed to expertly contour and highlight using foundation, offering valuable insights and tips for achieving a beautifully chiseled look.
Choosing the Right Foundation Shade
Understanding undertones
When it comes to choosing the right foundation shade, understanding your undertones is crucial. Undertones refer to the subtle colors that are present underneath your skin’s surface. There are three main undertones: warm, cool, and neutral.
Warm undertones have a yellow or golden hue, while cool undertones have a pink or blue undertone. Neutral undertones have a balanced mix of both warm and cool tones. To determine your undertone, look at the veins on your wrist. If your veins appear greenish, you likely have warm undertones. If they appear bluish, you may have cool undertones. If you can’t determine whether they are more green or blue, you probably have neutral undertones.
Matching the foundation to your skin tone
Once you have determined your undertone, you can move on to matching the foundation shade to your skin tone. Your skin tone refers to the actual color of your skin. There are various shades available, ranging from fair to deep.
To find the right foundation shade, test the product on your jawline or inner wrist. The shade should seamlessly blend with your natural skin tone, without appearing too light or too dark. It’s essential to test the foundation in natural lighting to ensure an accurate match. Make sure to also consider any seasonal changes in your skin tone and adjust your shade accordingly.
Testing the foundation shade
Testing the foundation shade is a crucial step in the process. You want to make sure that the shade not only matches your skin tone but also looks natural and flawless.
Before testing, ensure that your skin is clean, moisturized, and free from any other makeup products. Apply a small amount of the foundation to your jawline or neck and blend it in using a makeup brush or sponge. Allow the product to settle for a few minutes and assess the shade in natural lighting. If the foundation blends seamlessly and appears invisible on your skin, you have found the right shade. If it looks too light or too dark, continue experimenting with different shades until you find the perfect match.
Prepping the Face for Contouring and Highlighting
Cleansing and moisturizing the skin
Before starting any makeup application, it is essential to cleanse and moisturize your skin. This step ensures a smooth canvas and helps the products adhere better to the skin. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt or impurities, followed by a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Allow the moisturizer to absorb fully before moving on to the next step.
Applying primer
Priming the face is a crucial step in creating a long-lasting and flawless makeup look. A primer acts as a base for your foundation, helping it to stay in place for an extended period. Choose a primer that suits your skin type, whether it’s mattifying for oily skin or hydrating for dry skin.
Apply the primer all over your face, focusing on areas where your foundation tends to wear off quickly, such as the T-zone. Use clean fingers or a makeup brush to blend the product evenly into your skin. Allow the primer to set for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Setting the foundation
To ensure your foundation lasts throughout the day, it’s crucial to set it with a powder or setting spray. Setting the foundation helps to minimize shine, prevent creasing, and keep your makeup in place for hours.
Choose a setting powder that matches your skin tone, or opt for a translucent powder for a more natural look. Use a fluffy powder brush to lightly dust the powder all over your face, focusing on the areas where your foundation tends to crease or become oily.
If you prefer a setting spray, choose one that suits your skin type. Hold the spray a few inches away from your face and mist it evenly all over. Allow the setting spray to dry before moving on to contouring and highlighting.
Contouring Techniques
Identifying the areas to contour
Contouring involves creating shadows on the face to enhance certain features and create a more defined look. Before applying any product, identify the areas on your face that you want to contour. These typically include the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, the jawline, and the temples.
Choosing the right contour shade
Choosing the right contour shade is crucial for achieving a natural-looking result. Opt for a contour shade that is one or two shades deeper than your natural skin tone. The contour shade should have a cool undertone to create the illusion of shadows on your face.
Applying the contour shade
To apply the contour shade, use a small, angled brush specifically designed for contouring. Tap off any excess product and gently apply the shade to the areas you identified earlier. Start with light layers and blend as you go, building up the contour intensity gradually. Make sure to blend the product well to avoid any harsh lines.
Highlighting Techniques
Identifying the areas to highlight
Highlighting is the opposite of contouring and involves bringing forward certain features by adding brightness and glow to the skin. Common areas to highlight include the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the brow bone, and the cupid’s bow.
Choosing the right highlight shade
Choosing the right highlight shade is essential for achieving a natural and radiant result. Opt for a highlight shade that complements your skin tone and has a luminous finish. Shades that are too light may appear ashy, while shades that are too dark may not provide the desired highlight effect.
Applying the highlight shade
To apply the highlight shade, use a small, fluffy brush or a sponge. Gently tap the product onto the areas you want to highlight, blending it into the skin for a seamless finish. Be careful not to apply too much product, as it can emphasize texture or create an overly shiny look.
Blending and Buffing
Using brushes and sponges
Blending is a crucial step in achieving a seamless and natural-looking contour and highlight. Brushes and sponges are popular tools for blending and buffing the products into the skin. Brushes allow for more precision, while sponges provide a softer and airbrushed finish.
For contouring, use a clean, fluffy brush or a small, dense brush to blend the product into the skin, following the natural contours of your face. For highlighting, use a clean beauty sponge or a fan brush to gently blend the product into the skin, focusing on creating a smooth transition between the highlight and the rest of your makeup.
Blending the contour and highlight shades
To achieve a seamless finish, it’s essential to blend the contour and highlight shades together. Use a clean brush or sponge to softly blend the two products, ensuring a natural transition between the shadow and the highlight. Remember to blend in gentle, circular motions for a soft and diffused effect.
Achieving a seamless finish
To achieve a truly seamless finish, take your time during the blending process. Patience is key, as rushing can lead to patchiness or harsh lines. Gradually build up the intensity of both the contour and highlight shades, blending and buffing until you achieve the desired result. Step back and assess your makeup in different lighting to ensure it looks seamless from all angles.
Setting the Contour and Highlight
Using setting powder or spray
Once you have achieved your desired contour and highlight, it’s important to set them in place for long-lasting results. You can use either a setting powder or a setting spray, depending on your preference and skin type.
If using a setting powder, choose a shade that matches your skin tone or a translucent powder for a more natural finish. Use a fluffy brush to lightly dust the powder over the contoured and highlighted areas, ensuring the products stay in place without shifting or fading.
If using a setting spray, hold the bottle a few inches away from your face and mist it evenly over the contoured and highlighted areas. Allow the spray to dry completely before continuing with the rest of your makeup routine.
Avoiding excess product
When setting the contour and highlight, it’s important to avoid applying too much product. Excess powder or spray can dull the natural contours and highlights you have created, making them appear more flat or unnatural. Instead, use a light hand and focus on setting the products without overpowering them.
Ensuring long-lasting results
To ensure your contour and highlight last throughout the day, opt for long-lasting products and techniques. Choose a setting powder or spray that is known for its longevity and mattifying properties, especially if you have oily skin. Additionally, ensure that your foundation and base makeup are properly set before applying the contour and highlight shades.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Applying too much product
One common mistake when contouring and highlighting is applying too much product. Layering too much contour or highlight can result in a cakey or heavy makeup look. Instead, start with small amounts of product and build up gradually. Remember, it’s always easier to add more product than to remove excess.
Neglecting to blend properly
Another common mistake is neglecting to blend the contour and highlight shades properly. Blending is essential for achieving a natural and seamless look. Take the time to blend the products into your skin using circular or tapping motions, ensuring there are no harsh lines or uneven patches.
Not considering lighting
Lighting plays a significant role in how your makeup looks. It’s important to consider the lighting conditions you will be in when applying your contour and highlight. Natural lighting is best for assessing the color and blending of your makeup. Avoid applying makeup under artificial lighting, as it can distort colors and make it challenging to achieve a balanced and natural look.
Working with Different Skin Types
Tips for oily skin
If you have oily skin, there are specific tips and techniques that can help your contour and highlight last longer. Firstly, choose oil-free or mattifying products that are designed to control shine and absorb excess oil. Apply a mattifying primer before your foundation to create a smooth base. Set your contour and highlight with a mattifying powder or setting spray to further control oil throughout the day.
Tips for dry skin
For those with dry skin, it’s important to hydrate and moisturize the skin before applying any makeup. Opt for a moisturizing primer to create a smooth canvas and prevent your makeup from clinging to dry patches. Look for cream-based contour and highlight products that provide hydration while adding definition and glow to the skin. Use a hydrating setting spray or mist to set your makeup and keep your skin looking fresh and dewy.
Tips for combination skin
If you have combination skin, which is a mix of oily and dry areas, it’s crucial to balance your contour and highlight routine. Use mattifying products in the areas that tend to get oily, such as the T-zone, and hydrating or cream-based products in the drier areas. Focus on blending the products seamlessly to achieve a balanced and natural look. Set your makeup with a combination of a mattifying powder or spray in the oilier areas and a hydrating spray in the drier areas.
Experimenting with Different Techniques
Using cream vs. powder products
Contouring and highlighting can be done using either cream or powder products. Cream products provide a more natural and dewy finish, ideal for those who prefer a subtle or everyday look. They are also easier to blend, making them suitable for beginners. Powder products, on the other hand, offer a more intense and matte finish, perfect for special occasions or when you want a more sculpted look. Experiment with both types of products to find what works best for your personal preference and skin type.
Trying different application methods
There are various application methods for contouring and highlighting, including brushes, sponges, and even fingers. Brushes allow for more precision and control, making them ideal for targeted contouring and detailed highlighting. Sponges provide a softer and airbrushed finish, great for blending and diffusing the products into the skin. Using your fingers can also work well for cream products, as the warmth of your hands helps to melt the product into the skin. Try different application methods to see which one you prefer and which gives you the desired result.
Creating different contour and highlight shapes
Contouring and highlighting offer endless possibilities in terms of shape and style. While the classic contour and highlight technique involves creating shadows and light on specific areas of the face, you can experiment with different shapes and placements to achieve different effects. For example, you can contour and highlight the nose to create the illusion of a slimmer shape, or contour and highlight the forehead to make it appear smaller. Play around with different shapes and placements to enhance your features and create a customized contour and highlight routine.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Using a lighter hand for a natural look
When it comes to contouring and highlighting, less is often more. Using a lighter hand and starting with small amounts of product allows you to create a more natural and subtle look. Build up the intensity gradually, focusing on blending and buffing the products into the skin. This technique ensures that your contouring and highlighting appear seamless and effortless.
Layering products for intensity
If you prefer a more intense contour or highlight, consider layering products. Start with a cream or liquid product and blend it into the skin. Then, apply a powder product on top to intensify the effect and set it in place. Layering not only provides added intensity but also helps the products last longer throughout the day.
Adjusting techniques for specific face shapes
Different face shapes require different contour and highlight techniques to enhance or balance certain features. For example, if you have a round face, focus on contouring the hollows of your cheeks and jawline to create a more defined shape. If you have a square face, contour the temples and jawline to soften the angles. Experiment with different contour and highlight techniques tailored to your specific face shape to achieve the most flattering results.
In conclusion, choosing the right foundation shade and understanding the techniques for contouring and highlighting are essential for achieving a flawless and enhanced makeup look. By identifying your undertones, matching the foundation to your skin tone, and testing the shades in natural lighting, you can find the perfect foundation shade. Prepping the face with cleansing, moisturizing, and priming helps to create a smooth base for contouring and highlighting. Using the correct contour and highlight shades, blending techniques, and setting the products in place ensures a seamless and long-lasting result. By avoiding common mistakes and considering factors such as lighting and different skin types, you can achieve a customized contour and highlight routine. Remember to experiment with different techniques, products, and shapes to find what works best for you. With these tips and tricks, you can confidently master the art of using foundation to contour and highlight your face.