Contouring and highlighting techniques have become increasingly popular in the beauty industry, thanks to their ability to enhance facial features and create a more sculpted, radiant look. While traditional contouring and highlighting methods involve using darker shades to create shadows and lighter shades to bring forward areas of the face, there are now innovative techniques that take these concepts to the next level. In this article, we will explore how you can master these innovative techniques to achieve a flawless contoured and highlighted look.
1. Cream Contouring:
Cream contouring is a technique that involves using cream-based products to sculpt and define the face. Unlike powder products, cream contour products offer a more natural and seamless finish, making them ideal for creating a soft, blended contour. To master cream contouring, start by selecting a cream contour product that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply the product to the areas you want to contour, such as the hollows of your cheeks,
the nudes palette sides of your nose, and along your jawline, and blend it out using a damp makeup sponge or a brush.
2. Strobing:
Strobing is a highlighting technique that focuses on creating a dewy, luminous glow on the high points of the face. This technique involves using a shimmery highlighter to accentuate areas where light naturally hits the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, inner corners of the eyes, and the bridge of the nose. To master strobing, choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone and has a finely milled texture for a seamless application. Apply the highlighter to the desired areas using a small brush or your fingertips, and blend it out for a seamless, radiant finish.
3. Draping:
Draping is a modern take on traditional blush application, where blush is used to contour and highlight the face simultaneously. To master draping, choose a blush shade that complements your skin tone and has a buildable formula for a customizable finish. Start by applying the blush to the apples of your cheeks and blending it upwards towards your temples to create a soft, sculpted effect. Draping can help add dimension to the face while giving you a healthy, flushed look.
4. Reverse Contouring:
Reverse contouring is a technique that involves applying a lighter shade to the areas you would typically contour and a darker shade to the areas you would typically highlight. This technique helps create a more natural, subtle contour while still defining and sculpting the face. To master reverse contouring, select a concealer or foundation shade that is a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone to highlight areas such as the center of the forehead, under the eyes, and the center of the chin. Use a contour product that is slightly darker than your skin tone to sculpt the sides of the face, the jawline, and the perimeter of the forehead.
In conclusion, mastering innovative contouring and highlighting techniques can elevate your makeup game and help you achieve a flawless, sculpted look. Whether you prefer cream contouring, strobing, draping, or reverse contouring, experimenting with these techniques can help you discover new ways to enhance your natural features and create a customized makeup look that suits your style. Practice and patience are key when it comes to perfecting these techniques, so don't be afraid to get creative and have fun with your makeup!