As stay-at-home women, many of us are balancing multiple roles—mother, spouse, entrepreneur, and homemaker. While taking care of everything at home, it’s easy to forget to take a little time for ourselves. Whether you’re hopping on a Zoom call, prepping for a social media post, or just want to boost your confidence, learning to contour your face can add a fresh, polished touch to your look. Contouring is an amazing skill that highlights your natural features and can give you that “I woke up like this” glow.
In this post, we’ll walk you through an easy-to-follow, beginner-friendly guide on how to contour your face, with product recommendations that can save you time and effort.
1. Understanding Face Shapes for Contouring
Before you begin contouring, it’s essential to identify your face shape, as this will guide you in applying contour in the right areas.
- Oval: Balanced proportions, so focus on enhancing natural shadows.
- Round: Contour the sides of the face to create the illusion of length and slim the cheeks.
- Square: Soften the strong jawline by contouring the edges.
- Heart-shaped: Contour the forehead and chin to balance the wider top and narrower bottom.
Tip: Take a few minutes to examine your face in the mirror and pinpoint which areas you want to define.
2. Prepping Your Skin
Contouring works best on a smooth base, so prep your skin by:
- Cleansing: Start with a clean face.
- Moisturizing: Hydrate your skin to ensure the makeup blends easily.
- Primer: Use a primer that works for your skin type (oily, dry, or combination) to ensure your contouring lasts all day.
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Product Recommendations:
- Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
- Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
- Primer: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer
3. Choosing the Right Contour Products
There are various products you can use for contouring, including powders, creams, and sticks. Choose according to your skin type and makeup preference:
- Cream contour: Ideal for dry skin and a more natural, dewy finish.
- Powder contour: Perfect for oily skin and a matte finish.
- Contour sticks: Easy to use and great for beginners.
Must-Have Products:
- Cream: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick
- Powder: Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer
- Stick: NYX Wonder Stick
4. Tools You Need
You don’t need a ton of fancy tools, just a few essentials:
- Contour brush: A small angled brush works well for blending contour lines.
- Blending sponge: A beauty sponge can blend the product for a seamless look.
- Highlighter brush: A fan brush or smaller tapered brush for applying highlighter.
Recommended Tools:
- Contour brush: Real Techniques Sculpting Brush
- Blending sponge: Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
- Highlighter brush: Morphe Fan Brush
5. Mapping Out Your Contour Areas
Here’s how to contour different areas of your face:
- Cheekbones: Draw a line from the top of your ear toward the corner of your mouth, stopping halfway. Blend upwards.
- Jawline: Trace the edge of your jaw, focusing on the area near your ears, and blend downwards to avoid harsh lines.
- Forehead: Apply contour along your hairline to make your forehead appear smaller.
- Nose: Lightly contour the sides of your nose to create definition.
6. Don’t Forget to Highlight
Highlighter is the secret weapon that makes your contour pop. Apply highlighter to:
- The tops of your cheekbones
- The bridge of your nose
- Your brow bone
- The center of your forehead
- The cupid’s bow (above your lips)
Product Recommendations:
- Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector
7. Blend, Blend, Blend!
One of the most crucial steps in contouring is blending. Use circular motions with your contour brush or sponge to blend the lines into your skin, making sure they look natural. Harsh lines defeat the purpose of contouring, which is to mimic natural shadows and highlights.
8. Set Your Makeup for Long-Lasting Wear
Once you’ve perfected your contour, set your makeup with a setting powder or spray to ensure it stays in place throughout the day.
Recommended Setting Products:
- Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
- Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
9. Quick Contouring for Busy Days
For days when you’re too busy to spend much time on makeup, focus on a quick contour routine:
- Use a contour stick or cream for fast application.
- Contour only the cheeks and jawline.
- Highlight the cheekbones and brow bone for a fresh look.
Speedy Contour Products:
- Contour stick: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand
10. Practice Makes Perfect
Contouring is an art, and it takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if it’s not perfect the first time. Set aside 10-15 minutes during your self-care routine or before bedtime to practice.
Conclusion
Contouring your face doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By following these simple steps and using the right products, you can easily enhance your natural beauty. Whether you’re a busy mom, an entrepreneur working from home, or simply want to feel great about your appearance, these tips can help you achieve a contoured look that’s both professional and polished.
Bonus: If you’re looking for easy ways to shop for your contouring essentials, check out these product links to save time while ensuring you’re using high-quality products that fit within your budget!
Happy contouring!
