Step-by-step Picture Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face
Posted by Corallista | Posted in Cheeks, Face, Tutorials | Posted on 14-09-2012
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Hey everyone!
Many of you had requested a tutorial on basic face contouring so today I’m doing a simple tutorial on how you can add some definition and dimension to you face using highlighter and contouring powder.
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
I don’t consider myself an expert at contouring, there is a lot more you can do with a highlighter and a contouring product but I personally just use it to add some definition to my cheeks and jawline. The end result is quite subtle but nonetheless noticeable when you see the Before/After pictures. I use a sheer matte/satin bronzer (Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing powder) for contouring generally and it gives warmth and glow to the face along with dimension.
For wearable contouring, its important to use a light-hand and small quantities of product, you dont want to end up with a muddy brown line across your cheeks. Using a sheer product makes it easier to keep the color intensity in control.
Products I have used in this Tutorial :
- Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing powder (for contouring)
- MAC Cream Color Base : Improper Copper (highlighter)
- MAC Blush : Melba
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Now with the introduction in place, lets start with the tutorial.
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Step 1 : Starting with the contouring of the cheeks, pull your cheeks in and start applying the contouring powder using an angled fluffy brush under your cheekbone. Imagine a line connecting the end of mouth to the top of the ear and apply the product along this line. This will add shadow and depth to the hollows of the cheekbones and give a lift to the cheek and cheekbone.
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Step 2 : You can see the results of the first Step above, a faint shadow under the cheekbone. Next, with the same brush, sweep some of the product under the jawline starting from under the chin, tracing the jawbone and take it right upto where the jaw ends, under the ear. This will chisel your jawline and give a slimmer look to the face.
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Step 3 & 4 : This step is optional but you can do it if you like. Using the same brush, just trace your hairline from the forehead to the top of the cheekbone. Just to ensure that the product is well blended, run the brush in the opposite direction (bottom-right) as well.
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Step 5 : With the contouring in place, let now add some highlighter. I have applied MAC Cream Color base in Improper Copper on the cheekbone and along the bridge of the nose using my finger. Just pat it in till it blends.
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
Step 6 : Add some highlighter to the browbone as well. Next, add some blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend it towards the hair line. Without loading the brush with any more product, just sweep it across the cheeks a few times to ensure that the blush and contour blend seamlessly with no obvious demarcation.
The Finished look!
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
I’ve used a heavy hand with the products so that you can see it well in the pictures. From the Before and After pictures, you can see my face looks a little slimmer and more uplifted after the contouring and highlighting :
Tutorial : Basic Contouring and Highlighting of the face using Makeup
I hope you found this Tutorial useful! Do let me know in the comments if you still have any doubts.
Happy Weekend everyone 
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Thanks for the tutorial Ankita
i have always had problems with contouring an highlighting. i could give it a try now. yay.
a really helpful tutorial!! thanks a lot
I have chubby face
will try contouring sometime.. well which lipstick u r wearing here? very nice tut ankita
It is Revlon Colorburst Soft Rose
awesome !:)
Great tutorial! I wish Bourjois had not pulled out of the U.S. market.
the difference although subtle is easily distinguishable ankita
…..yeah contouring+highlighting really makes one look polished…i wish i had invested in a good bronzer-although my stila one n a brown matte blush from Jordana does help in imparting shape to my current chubby face…..can’t believe i gave up benefit hoola n got coralista instead 
Wow dear..very informative tutorial…u really explain in very simple way……thanks for sharing such a helpful tutorial..
Please tell one more thing that if we contour our face wid a dark foundation, then weill use it before applying base foundn or after that…i m confused..
You will use the contour after your base foundation.
Very nicely done n the step -by-step images r super helpful. Really wanna know which lippie u have on here? It’s lovely! Plus, what brand of brushes do u use?
Hi Nafisa, I’m wearing Revlon Colorburst Soft Rose here. The brush I have used here is from a brand called Powder Mary, it was a gift from abroad so not sure of its availability/price. For the face, I use a mix of brushes, I have an Inglot foundation brush (21T), MAC 188, The Body Shop face and body brush and for blush I use the Powder Mary brushes.
TBS face n body brush is simply heavenly na? Have never heard of Powder Mary though. Thanks for replying Ankita
Waow!! Very nice and easy tutorial!!
Well,,I already own Bourjois bronze powder..n it really does gice a subtle yet impressive contouring!! 
Before & After looks clears the diference.. very nice tutorial…
great post…but in such tutorials It would really help if you can put up pictures of the full face…esp in before and after pics to see the difference because of conturing…As I have never done contouring before I am unable to figure out what exactly ins the difference apart from the fact that the after pic looks a little orange
Hi Divya, the full face shots come overexposed, the side shot shows the effect better. If you notice the jawline, you can see that the contouring makes my face look chiseled and slimmer.
Great tutorial as always Ankita:)
thanks so much for doing this!!
very helpful tips!
woww ! very helpful ! just little offtrack, few months back my mum was watching this soap uttaran. lady named tapasya had a chiseled face, nose, lips, jaw line…cut to today, we were watching jhalak dikhla ja and the same lady is one of the contestants. i can clearly make out how contouring was done to her face a few minths back in the soap. she looked completely different…do check out on youtube! any thoughts?
Luved the tute!!!
just wondering..have u ever tried an eyeshadow as a highlighter?
Yes I have! You’ll see in the tutorial I am posting right now