Nervous about contouring? We don’t blame you, contouring can seem complicated. And when it’s not done correctly, the finished look can appear muddy and heavy.
The wildly popular makeup technique refers to the process of using dark and light shades of makeup, strategically placed on the high points of the face, to draw attention to (or away from) particular facial features.
And though it may sound advanced, whether you’re after a Kardashian-level bone structure or just a natural, glowy sculpt, there’s no need for pro-level makeup skills or anything more than just two products and a brush.
Scroll down to check out exactly how we like to do a soft and natural contour.
What products do I need to contour?
Not as much as you might think. You’ll need a bronzer that is no more than two shades darker than your skin tone, a concealer that is no more than two shades lighter, and a makeup brush or beauty blender to buff out and blend the product.
Both powder and cream products will work. Powders will be better suited to oily, shinier complexions, however, we typically recommend cream products for contouring as they leave a more defined finish and are easier to build and blend.
After you’ve applied your foundation and concealer as normal, this is our step-by-step guide to achieving a natural contour…
Step 1: Define
Lightly apply the darker shade in the hollows of your cheekbones, starting from the middle of your ear and finishing at the middle of the cheek.
Next, apply two thin parallel lines down your nose, jawline and hairline. Add or remove product depending on which areas of your face that you’d like to elongate or add definition.
Then gently blend, section by section.
We love: The Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick ($72 at Myer) And Clinique’s Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour ($45 at Adore Beauty)
Step 2: Highlight
Although this step is used to ‘highlight’ your best features, we don’t mean to do so with a shimmery highlighter, but a brightening concealer instead.
Highlight the bridge of your nose, brow bones, and dot along the high points of your cheekbones. If you’d like to make your face look longer and less round, consider adding some to the centre of your chin, too. Plus, a smidge on your cupid’s bow can help to create the appearance of a full pout.
Then gently blend.
We love: The Synergie Skin Concealer ($39 at Synergie Skin) and the Mavala Switzerland Concealer ($28.95 at Mavala)
Step 3: Soften
To ensure your highlight and contour looks seamless, go over once more with a damp sponge.
Gently dab each section, following the lines and shapes you’ve created. This will pick up any excess product, ensuring that all edges and lines look subtle and soft.
Step 4: Introduce warmth
This isn’t a step we’d usually include in a contour how-to, but we believe the best way to create the most natural look is by finishing with an added flush to your cheeks.
This is best achieved by dabbing a cream blush in an upwards motion starting from your apples, sitting on top of the already blended contour and highlight.
We love: Natio Cream Blush – Dusk ($15.95 at David Jones)
Final tip: Most importantly, don’t overdo it. Contouring is meant to accentuate your best features, not make you look like a different person. Keep it light, subtle and ensure you’re using the right shades for your skin tone.
Have you tried contouring before? Would you like to?
Main image credit: @demimoore
Would love to give this a go
I haven’t done it on myself but when I’ve had my makeup professionally done, it does change the shape of my face and enhances everything.
I’m just testing this to see if it accepts my comment. I tried in the other article and it wouldn’t post my comment (tried six times, logged in and logged out too)
ah yeh it works on this one!!
I do tend to contour if I’m feeling like wanting to wear more make-up and look done up that day – not often these days though. I used to do it in my twenties more.
I am always amazed at the results from contouring, but with having to wear a mask, I won’t be contouring for some time.
Yeah I don’t even wear makeup as much because it gets all over my mask and it causes my skin to breakout.
I wonder whether you can contour around the eyes? My hubby was commenting how everyone’s eye makeup looks fantastic! 😂
I’m too pale to use bronzer at all, so I use a slightly darker shade of foundation or a peachy blush. To shorten my long, narrow face, I put a little under my chin.
I have a long and narrow face too! I’m going to try your trick!
I do the same. I use different shades of foundation or concealer to do a subtle contour. You can also definitely contour eyes by using a darker shade along the middle socket of eyelid, a light highlight under the brow and in the inner corners of eyes and blend together.
Still not sure that I could still do contouring on my face even with good instructions. Just a little nervous to try it. But contouring always looks beautiful on the many Celebrities that use it. Wished that I had a makeup artist to show me how it is done properly. Because I would probably still be doing it wrong.
Yes, I’d like to watch this via an instructional video.
Please! Give us a more natural beauty than Demi Moore…. Most of her work is plastic surgery.
Useful reminder to blend really well when contouring.
To make my contour blend in nicely I go over it with my foundation brush and it creates a smooth and seamless look
There’s also the trick of using highlighter and contour first and then applying foundation for a really natural look
Thanks for a great tip- I’m saving this!
I experiment with contouring but can’t get it as well as I’d like.
Demi looks fab as always!
I’ve never got into the whole contouring craze, can’t be bothered lol!
Not suitable for me. I have bony long face with pronounced cheekbones, nose and eye/brow, chin…everything…already very harsh. Contour not needed.
This is something I don’t do for myself
Sounds a bit complicated for everyday.
I love a good contour not sure I do it 100% correctly but I do give it a go and it does look nice. Looks amazing when professionals do it.
Love a nice natural look
I have been practising contouring. Getting better at it but you also need the right products or it just doesn’t look right.
I’m too lazy to even try this.
Great tips to try!
I’m still learning Contouring, but I love the idea of it.. just need practice – and time
I have tried contouring & I continue to keep practicing. It’s not as easy as it seems on YouTube.
Every time I contour it looks quite heavy like night glam.. still yet to perfect a natural contour for my everyday look, might try this out!
I need to try this over and over again.
With my oily completion I do prefer powder and it is easier to not make a mistake with overdoing it with cream products.
I always find contouring a bit scary – I tend to stick to just highlighting.
This is something I like to do to give my face life
I use a bronzer for a bit of contour, then some highlighter and blusher. Nothing too obvious or ‘sculpted’.