Highlighting and contouring are two crafty li’l tricks that you can use to enhance your bone structure and make it look like you’re constantly under the most flattering movie lighting possible. Even if you’re not going to an event, it’s fun to experiment with elements of ~drama~ in your makeup. This tutorial will show you how to use foundation, concealer, and powder to put a spotlight on your natural gorgeousness.
A note on picking your contour and highlight colors: Don’t choose shades that are drastically lighter or darker than your natural skin tone. If you have fair skin, use a very light shade to highlight and a fair to medium color to contour. If you have darker skin, use a medium-toned highlight and a contour slightly deeper than your skin color. If you have very dark skin and can’t find a deeper shade of foundation to contour with, a dark eye shadow will do the trick!
What you’ll need:
Liquid foundation in your normal shade.
Liquid concealer or foundation in a slightly lighter color than your skin.
Concealer, foundation, or powder in a slightly darker color than your skin.
Setting powder
Blush
A powder brush
Optional: a foundation brush or sponge
Optional: a concealer brush
How To Apply Highlighter & Contourer
Start with cleansed, moisturized skin.
Before applying any make up to your face, ensure that your skin is clean and you have applied a good moisturizer. Choose a moisturizer designed for your skin type and ideally one that has an SPF built into it. Pat the moisturizer in gently and wait at least five minutes for it to be absorbed into your skin.
Know the correct tools.
This is a key for the proper brush to use for your makeup. You may do full on coverage or just contour a feature you would like to alter with makeup.
Choose a foundation that is designed for your skin type and tone.
A good foundation product and application can make a world of difference to your appearance.
Apply your foundation.
Dot the foundation over your face, concentrating it in the center of where the most coverage is required. Gently blend in with your finger tips to get even coverage. Never rub the foundation into your skin because the oil off your hand will ruin it.
Apply the concealer.
To cover blemishes, apply concealer cream to the tip of a small, flat brush and dab any excess on the back of your hand.
Dot the concealer over the blemish. Clean the brush on a tissue, and then use it to blend the concealer into your skin.
Dot concealer from the bridge of your nose to halfway under the eye.
Use a brush, sponge or your fingertips to blend the concealer.
Do not apply concealer right up to your lower lashes, as this will make your eyes appear smaller and the dark under eye circles even darker.
Apply the powder.
The golden rule when it comes to powder is less is definitely more.
Load your powder brush with loose powder and lightly flick it on the back of your hand to get rid of any excess.
Begin with light movements over the central areas of your face. Lightly push the powder into the areas around your nostrils and then dust your eyelids and ears lightly.
Carefully apply the eyeshadow.
The shade and way you apply your eye makeup will depend on what kind of look you’re going for. For a basic casual daytime look, choose a color palette with three shades of the same family––neutrals work best for daytime. Apply the lightest shade over the entire lid.
Apply the second shade in the crease of your lid and gently blend into the first shade. Apply this medium shade lightly under your lower lashes.
Apply the third (darkest) shade to the outer corner of your eye, blending it in with the medium shade.
Put on the mascara.
Place the mascara brush at the base of your eyelashes, under your lashes. Wiggle the brush gently as you slowly pull it through your lashes. Repeat if necessary.
Define your eyebrows.
The easiest way to define your brows is to use an eyebrow pencil. Choose one in a shade lighter than your hair colour.
Brush your brows using an eyebrow brush and ensure the tip of the pencil is sharp
Work along your brow using short, upward, diagonal movements. Use a cotton swab to soften any areas that look too dark or hard.
Contour your cheeks.
Using a medium-sized blush brush dipped in a blusher of your choice, lightly brush your cheeks in an upward motion. To make your face appear slimmer, suck your cheeks in and apply your blush to the hollow in your cheeks.
Make your lips beautiful. With so many options to choose from when it comes to making your lip look ultra kissable, it simply boils down to your personal preferences.
Apply a subtle, naturally-coloured lip liner along your lips, taking care not to go outside of your natural lip line.
Apply a lipstick of your choice.
Blot with a tissue and then apply a second coat. You can finish off the look with a dab of gloss in the centre of your bottom lip.
Make it last.
It’s disappointing to spend plenty of time putting on your “face” only to look in the mirror a few hours later to find your mascara has smudged, your powder has worn off and your eyeshadow has creased.
Immediately after applying your make up, use a face spray product (like Mac’s Fix+) that prolongs your make up and makes it last throughout the day.
As with most things in life, the basics need to be learned before you can start experimenting and going wild with your own make up look.
Just keep in mind that make up is not there to completely change your appearance––it is there to enhance your already beautiful features.
Start with cleansed, moisturized skin.