Contouring is the secret to enhancing your natural features by adding definition and dimension to the face. Unlike heavy makeup trends of the past, today’s contouring is soft, subtle, and wearable for everyday looks. It’s all about mimicking natural shadows to create lift, balance, and structure, helping you sculpt your face in the most flattering way.
If you’ve ever wondered how to contour your face or what contour actually does, it’s simple: contouring uses a slightly deeper shade than your skin tone to create the illusion of depth. This adds shape to areas like the cheekbones, jawline, temples, and nose, leaving you with a naturally sculpted finish that still looks like skin.
Tools & Products You’ll Need
The key to a seamless contour is using the right tools and formulas for your skin type.
1. Contour Product
Choose a shade that is one to two tones darker than your foundation. You can use either:
- Cream contour for a soft, skin-like finish
- Powder contour for a matte, defined look
Try the Hi-Def Contour Beauty Wand for effortless, buildable definition. Its creamy texture blends smoothly over foundation, making sculpting quick and foolproof.
2. Brush or Sponge
Use a contour brush with angled bristles for precise placement along cheekbones and jawline. A damp sponge works best for blending cream contour seamlessly into the skin.
3. Highlighter and Setting Powder
These finishing touches bring balance by lifting the high points of your face and locking your contour in place.
For powder contouring, the Contour Kit Light Medium offers both contour and highlight shades, perfect for achieving definition with a smooth, professional finish.
Step-by-Step: How to Contour Your Face
Follow these simple steps to create a sculpted yet natural-looking contour.
Step 1: Map your face
Identify where shadows naturally fall on your face. These are the areas you’ll enhance with contour. Typically, this includes:
- Under the cheekbones
- Along the sides of the nose
- Around the hairline and temples
- Along the jawline
Step 2: Apply your contour
Using your chosen product, lightly draw or dab contour onto those areas. Start small — you can always build more depth as needed.
Step 3: Blend
Use gentle circular or tapping motions to diffuse the product into the skin. The goal is to eliminate harsh lines while keeping the natural definition visible.
Step 4: Add warmth
If you like, apply a touch of bronzer over your contour for a soft sun-kissed finish.
How to Contour Your Nose
Learning how to contour your nose is all about subtle shading. A little goes a long way in creating balance and structure.
- Using a small brush, apply a thin line of contour down each side of your nose.
- Blend gently toward the bridge using small circular motions.
- Add a touch of highlighter to the center of your nose for lift.
- To make the tip appear slightly slimmer, apply a small dot of contour beneath it and blend well.
This technique creates a softly sculpted effect that looks natural from every angle.
Finishing With Highlighter & Setting Powder
Once your contour is blended, it’s time to set and enhance your features.
Highlighter
Apply a soft glow to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the cupid’s bow, and just above the brows. This adds light where contour adds depth, creating a balanced, lifted appearance.
Setting Powder
Lightly dust a translucent setting powder over your face to lock everything in place. Focus on the T-zone or areas where makeup tends to move throughout the day.
This final step ensures your contour stays fresh, defined, and shine-free.
Conclusion
Contouring doesn’t need to be intimidating. With the right tools, shades, and blending technique, anyone can sculpt their face naturally and confidently. Whether you prefer cream or powder, the secret is keeping it soft and seamless.
Explore DB’s Makeup Collection for easy-to-use, cruelty-free contour products that help define your beauty, your way.
