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Lots of makeup trends come and go, but one that’s not going anywhere is face contour.
Don’t know how to contour? You’re not alone. For many makeup lovers, the technique seems brand-new. But in reality, makeup artists have been doing it since the 1930s. That said, contour was seemingly brought to the masses more recently by makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic (also known as “Makeup by Mario,”) who’s known for creating Kim Kardashian’s famous sculpted features. And the rest is history.
According to celebrity makeup artist and Mary Kay ambassador Jaleesa Jaikaran, contouring is a way to transform your face shape. “You’re essentially creating an optical illusion on your skin using different shades of makeup to enhance your bone structure and features,” she explains
That's another reason why so many celebrities swear by the technique: It's ideal if you're appearing on camera. “Contour can create the illusion of higher cheekbones, a slimmer nose, a more defined jawline, and other desired features, such as neck, forehead, and decollete,” says makeup artist and esthetician Amanda Gabbard. “This sought after sculpted, snatched, defined look that contouring provides knows no bounds, and clients often ask me to make their ‘cheekbones pop,’ 'nose look smaller, and to 'thin out their jawline' using the technique.
FYI, your contour doesn’t have to be as extreme as the makeup we see on the red carpet. There are different iterations of contouring—some more soft and subtle than others, that make it wearable for everyday. For example, underpainting applies your contour under foundation for a more natural look.
We talked to leading makeup artists to give you the scoop on how to execute a contoured makeup look. Read on for everything you need to know about contouring.
The one-step contour hack
While we detail the entire process of contouring below, Mat Wulff, Ulta Beauty Pro team member and makeup artist, has lazy makeup hack that works on days you're short on time (or patience). “Simply define your cheeks quickly with bronzer,” Wulff says. “Alternatively, if you're in the mood for a blushier look, you can achieve a sculpted appearance by using blush instead of bronzer.”
