Best professional tips on how to contour your face

Contouring—it's the magic trick that gives you razor-sharp cheekbones and a sculpted, three-dimensional face. But let’s be honest, knowing exactly where to place those stripes of shadow and light can feel a little intimidating. Fear not! We’ve got you covered with pro-approved tips to make contouring easy and natural, whether you’re going for red carpet glam or just leveling up your everyday look.

First, start with a luminous base. You want your skin to be even-toned and radiant, so apply a foundation that gives you a glowing finish. Don't forget to brighten those under-eye areas with a concealer that’s about two shades lighter than your skin tone. Now, the contour shade. Opt for colors that mimic natural shadows—think cool taupes or soft grays. Avoid anything too warm, like bronzer, which can make your contour look more like a tan than a subtle shadow.

Now for the million-dollar question: cream or powder? Cream contours are your best friend if you’re after a natural, dewy look, especially if you have dry or normal skin. Powder gives a more matte finish and can be ideal for oily skin. Once you’ve chosen your product, pick the right brush—angled or small-tipped brushes work best depending on where you're contouring.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1 Base: apply a luminous foundation and brighten under your eyes with a lighter concealer.

2 Contour shade: choose a cool-toned shade that mimics natural shadows, avoiding orange or overly warm tones.

3 Cream or powder: cream for a natural finish, powder for a matte look—both are winners.

4 Application: use a small fluffy brush for areas like the nose, and an angled brush for cheekbones, starting from the top of your ear and blending upwards for a lifted look.

5 Highlight & blush: after contouring, add highlighter to your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose, then finish with a light blush on the apples of your cheeks for that perfect glow.