Makeup
How to Contour Your Face
Want sculpted cheeks and a slimmer nose -- instantly? We asked a pro to show us the simplest and most effective face contouring techniques
What's the secret to Kim Kardashian's prominent cheekbones, Keira Knightley's defined jawline, and Michelle Williams' dainty nose? Here's a little secret: It's all in their makeup artists' ability to
contour.
However, the strong stripes of bronzer and highlighter that work for a photo shoot or red carpet event would look downright freakish at the grocery store or dinner table. So the trick is balance: applying enough product so that your features are defined, but then blending enough so there are no tell-tale lines, says Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy Trainer Lana Krizki.
Click here for tips on how to contour your face shape.
The other trick: using the right contouring techniques for your face shape. Krizki says the goal with contouring is to both define features, like cheekbones, but also to get the face closer to an oval face shape, which is considered ideal (if you have an oval face, you're already halfway there). That's why she showed us exactly how to contour five different face shapes: oval, round, square, heart, and oblong.
Consider this your face-contouring-made-simple guide: Just find your face shape, follow our step-by-step instructions, and be prepared for your friends and family to wonder if you've had work done. We'll leave it up to you whether to reveal your secret or not.
Keep reading for expert makeup artist tips on face contouring.
SEE NEXT PAGE: Heart: Before you contour
However, the strong stripes of bronzer and highlighter that work for a photo shoot or red carpet event would look downright freakish at the grocery store or dinner table. So the trick is balance: applying enough product so that your features are defined, but then blending enough so there are no tell-tale lines, says Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy Trainer Lana Krizki.
Click here for tips on how to contour your face shape.
The other trick: using the right contouring techniques for your face shape. Krizki says the goal with contouring is to both define features, like cheekbones, but also to get the face closer to an oval face shape, which is considered ideal (if you have an oval face, you're already halfway there). That's why she showed us exactly how to contour five different face shapes: oval, round, square, heart, and oblong.
Consider this your face-contouring-made-simple guide: Just find your face shape, follow our step-by-step instructions, and be prepared for your friends and family to wonder if you've had work done. We'll leave it up to you whether to reveal your secret or not.
Keep reading for expert makeup artist tips on face contouring.
SEE NEXT PAGE: Heart: Before you contour
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