HOW TO CONTOUR YOUR FACE: A LESSON

Contouring is what I call the "natural surgery" for it provides an effective concealing and diminishing of big shaped- areas, accentuating of lines and softening of sharp edges. Though this should be done correctly, or otherwise, you'll look like a sunburned chic in all the wrong places.

In this issue, I'll show you how to do contouring the right way. I'm a theater actress and contouring is vital in our make- up procedures so as to catch the light, draw attention to the face for the expressions to clearly show, etc.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CONTOURING?

- Minimizes awkward areas in the face, making them look small, lean and nice

- Softens sharp edges for square faces

- Can also create edges for round faces

- Helps draw the attention to the face

STUFF I USED FOR CONTOURING

- MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH POWDER IN DEEP DARK

- MAC STUDIO FIX POWDER PLUS FOUNDATION IN NC40

- MAC LUSTRE LIPSTICK IN TOUCH

- EVER BILENA EYE LINER PENCIL IN BLACK

CREATING A JAW LINE (CONTOURING YOUR JAW LINE)

- This is very important for those who want to put a fake chiseled jaw line. This works well for those who have big jaws. Dark powders tend to minimize the jaws and highlight powders could help in accentuating nicely shaped jaws. Contouring helps you create a jaw line if yours is almost invisible!

Locate your jaw line. It's at the edge of your cheek area. Apply a dark shaded powder then blend. Repeat on the other side.

This is how it looks like when finished (closer look)

This is how it looks like when finished (farther view)

HOW TO DRAW THE ATTENTION TO YOUR FACE (CONTOURING THE TEMPLES)

- Okay, here's one thing I learned in the theatre. Contouring the forehead/ temple is important because you narrow the audience's attention to the lighter part, which is your t- zone including your eyes and mouth so they get to see your expressions. In real life, this is also important. Apart from drawing attention to your t- zone, it also makes round faces appear smaller.

Apply a dark shaded powder on your temples. Locate it easily by targeting the end of your eyebrow hair line. Blend and repeat on the other side

This is how a contoured temple looks like when finished.

CREATING A CHISELED CHEEK (CHEEK CONTOURING)

- Contouring the cheeks is important most especially for those who want to put edges on a round face. And it makes round faces look small. I have a round face so yeah, I have to say I'm a fan of this.

Pout to easily locate your cheek bones. Make sure you apply a good amount on your cheek bones. Blend then repeat on the other side.

Here's what your cheeks will look like after contouring

HOW TO CONTOUR YOUR NOSE LINE (CREATING A NOSE LINE)

- Enough of Rhinoplasty that could go wrong when not done right. And besides, it will cost you tons of money. This fool- proof contouring is risk- free and feels lighter on the wallet :)

Start at the tip of your eyebrow then create a line downwards. The tip of your eyebrows is the fastest way to locate the supposed bridge of your nose. Apply a dark shaded powder then blend. Repeat on the other side.

Lastly, Apply a high light powder at the center to create an illusion of a nose bridge. Blend evenly.

This is how a contoured nose looks like when finished.

FINAL PRODUCT

STUFF RECOMMENDED FOR CONTOURING

An angled blush brush is recommended since it's designed to hit the planes on your face when used. the angle provides a good line when shading

MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH IN DEEP DARK or any powder two shades darker than your normal skin tone

- I use this for contouring since it's mineralized, it's sheer enough to imitate the natural contours of your face, therefore enhancing it. It's a really good buy and this will last you long enough because it has good pigmentation

CONTOURING PALETTES WITH HIGH LIGHTERS

- Bobby Carlos, a famous make- up artist recommends using MAKE UP FOR EVER'S CONTOURING PALETTE because the shade will compliment any skin tone plus the highlighter looks natural to let the contour stand- out.

MAC SCULPT AND SHAPE POWDER

- This is a nice product. I have one in Warm Light/ Definitive. MAC promises that each color compliments each other and it really does! The dark powder is good for natural contouring and the high lighter adds a touch of warmth on my cheeks and makes my contour stand out as well.

HAPPY CONTOURING! :)