How to || contouring

Hello! I thought I'd do a little post tonight on how I contour. Recently I've been asked how I have more defined cheekbones & a more plump looking pout.. No I didn't have any crazy fillers or lose weight, it's all just a trick of using shadow & light to our advantage when we apply our make-up.

I don't claim to be a complete expert in this department, nor am I a make-up artist (so I might be wrong!) but these are the steps I take in creating that mass desired chiseled look. It's pretty simple, just basically draw in the lines (and look like you're starring in an episode of nip/tuck) & then blend, blend, blend! 

#1 Defining Shadows

Using my MAC 275 angled shading brush I pick up the cappuccino colour of my bargain product Sleek Contour Kit (which is only £6.49!)  & apply in a line to the part that hollows across my cheek when I pout. Apply to the temples too as I have in the pictures.


TOP TIP:- stroke a little underneath your lips to give extra shadow, this creates depth & the illusion of a plumper lip. Only a small amount otherwise you'll look like your spouting a goatee! 

Taking my  MAC 214 short smudge brush, I take the same colour from my sleek kit & draw down both sides of the bridge of my nose & across the tip at the bottom. Join this line into the crease of the eye at the top to ensure continuity. 

#2 Blend

I use my MAC 168 large contour brush to blend in all the lines I've made so far, you might want to use a smaller brush such as the angled shading brush I used earlier to blend in the lines on the nose.

#3 Highlight

To highlight the areas I've demonstrated in the picture above I use Erase Paste from Benefit in 'Fair' very lightly with my fingertips (probably the best & cheapest make-up tools you'll ever own). This is actually a concealer but I love how much coverage it has & that's why I think it's perfect plus it blends really well! It's slightly luminous too which is ideal for this look!

#4 Blend! 

I then blend in the highlights using the MAC 187 - which admittedly needs a wash! 

#5 Final Highlights 

Using the other side of the Sleek duo kit, finally brush the highlighting powder down the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, chin & forehead. This will seal in all of your highlights from using the erase paste - or equivalent. 

Et voila! 

What do you think of my contouring? Do you have any tips or think I've missed a vital part if this look? Let me know xo