One quick scroll through your social media feed and it’s clear that contouring is a beauty trend that shows no signs of slowing down. The technique, which involves using dark and light makeup to enhance—or slim down—certain facial features, has become a go-to for makeup artists and girls-next-doors alike.
But let’s be real: Contouring can seem pretty difficult to master. For starters, what shades, exactly, are you supposed to use? And where are you supposed to put them on your face for that sculpted look, anyway? Plus, should you use powder or cream products? Frankly, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin—and maybe even shy away from trying to contour altogether.
Luckily, this trend isn’t nearly as complicated as it seems on the surface. Here’s an easy step-by-step breakdown so you can contour like a pro:
1. Color Correct
First, wipe out any skin discolorations with the L’Oréal Paris All-in-1 Color Correction Palette. The kit features four numbered shades and includes a visual guide to using them so you can color correct without confusion. Peach hides dark circles, yellow counteracts discolorations, green neutralizes redness, and purple brightens dullness. Apply sparingly to targeted areas and blend well using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Concealer Blender. The small, pointed tip maneuvers around hard-to-reach areas, like the sides of your nose.
2. Apply Foundation
Next, get an even canvas by swiping on a liquid foundation. Available in 12 shades, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation will give you lasting full coverage with a lightweight feel. It blends instantly into the skin to help cover dark spots, blemishes, scars, and hyperpigmentation. Formulated with high-load pigments for total coverage, it glides on and feels fresh all day long. Buff the foundation into your skin using L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. This sponge is designed with an exclusive plush material and easy-to-grip shape that will ensure your foundation goes on uniformly.
3. Find Your Highlighting and Contouring Shades
In order to contour the right way, you need one shade for highlighting and one shade for contouring. For highlighting, pick a color that’s two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. For contouring, pick a color that’s two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit, formulated with four creamy, pigment-rich shades that can be used to conceal, highlight, and/or contour.
4. Highlight
Create extra dimension by highlighting key areas of your face with the lighter shade. These areas include under your eyes, down the bridge of your nose, in between your brows, and down the center of your chin. Blend the cream in with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Contour Blender. With flat, slanted edges, this sponge seamlessly moves across the contours of the face and ensures makeup blends smoothly into the skin.
5. Contour
Use the darker color to accentuate specific areas on your face. Popular places to contour include along your hairline, under your cheekbones, and along the sides of your nose. For the best results, it’s important to keep your face shape in mind.
If you have an angular face…soften your jawline using the darker shade from the mid-ears towards the chin.
If you have an oval face…shorten your jawline by applying the darker shade to your chin and jawline.
If you have a square face…soften the sides of your face by contouring your forehead.
If you have a round face…add dimension by using the darker shade on the sides of your forehead and jawline.
And just like you did when highlighting, blend in the creamy product using your contour blender and you’re set!
