back to basics: contour & highlight

Contouring and highlighting is such a simple makeup trick that many people struggle with. It can really change your look from simple to dramatic. It is also very slimming to the face! So to make it very simple, I have taken some pictures on where to highlight and contour. Although this is a general idea of where the highlights and contours should go, you can also add them other spots to accentuate your specific face shape- this is specifically for a round face.

Here you can see a very dramatic version of where the highlights and contours should go. Starting with the forehead, you should be contouring at the temples and highlighting at the center. This brings lightness to the center of your face and slims the sides.

Then add highlight under your eyes in a "triangular" shape, carrying it to the cheekbones. You can also highlight on the bridge of the nose. Contouring can go on the sides of the nose to slim it. Highlighting in this area creates a "triangle of light" where the center of the face is the lightest, while the outer portions are darker.

Lastly, at the lower portion of the face, you can highlight the center of the chin. As for contouring, you should be placing this at the hollow of the cheeks- going from the center of the ear and blending it to the edge of your lips- and under the jaw bone to make it more structured.

The basic rules for contouring is to put it on areas that you want to slim or push back, while highlighting brings forward the areas you want. You don't have to do every step of contouring or highlighting, just what suits you- that's the beauty of makeup!

As for what products you can use, there are so many options. Here are some that I do:

• use concealers and then blend foundation on top (which is what I did here)
• use a lighter and slightly darker foundation and place it in the areas you want
• use one foundation shade and then darker/lighter powders

There are so many different ways you can achieve the look you want, it's all about playing around and seeing what you think looks best! It doesn't hurt to take a few pictures of yourself either ;) The end effect should be a look that is blended out nicely but visible when turning your face.

Some of the products I like to use to highlight are Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Brightener, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle and Dior Diorskin Shimmer Star in Amber Diamond. As for contouring I like to use Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, however any bronzer can work as long as it is MATTE. You don't want to use shimmer since your natural contours aren't shimmery.

I hoped this helped make the contouring and highlighting process a bit easier. Like I said before, it's all about what you want to do and makes you feel the most beautiful! 

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina