Contouring can look natural if it is done properly. If contouring is done with an incorrect method, brush, or product, it can look blotchy and unrealistic. Contouring is all about defining features and creating illusions, which can be tricky to achieve for beginners.
If you want your contour to look natural, here are some of the key things to avoid:
* Incorrect color
Some people will use bronzer as contour, but this is not the right shade to use when achieving a natural look. The perfect contour shade is something that is a shade darker than the color of your skin, with a slight cool-toned finish. This is to create the illusion of a shadow on the jawline, cheekbones, and nose. Orange powders will warm the face and make the contour look too noticeable!
* Don’t overdo it
The key thing to remember with contour is to use a little bit of the product at a time and blend it slowly. If you go in with too much product and a heavy hand, the contour will look unrealistic and blotchy. The whole point of contouring is to create the illusion of a sharp jawline, chiseled cheekbones, or a slim nose. You’re not trying to make these features stand out for the wrong reasons!
* The contour is shimmery
Hey, we all love a bit of shimmer on our face - but this is what highlighter is for. Contour needs to be a matte shade to create the illusion of a subtle shadow from your fiercely sharp cheekbones/jawline/nose. Highlighter on the top of your cheekbones and nose will make those parts stand out, and a matte contour will contrast this wonderfully. Shimmery contour will only make your face look unrealistically shiny.
* The contour is patchy
The key to contouring is to blend. If you are using a powder contour, make sure that you set the foundation or concealer base with a translucent powder before applying the contour. If you apply powder contour to a wet base, it’s likely to stick to it unevenly, which will create a patchy and unnatural look. Contour sticks are easier to blend on a wet surface, but make sure you don’t use too much product.