Everyone who uses the internet knows the Kardashians, right? So basically, we're all bound to come across one of their selfies or pics of them taken by paps or another scandal. But honestly, the only thing that truly matters rn is how flawless their makeup looks (don't deny it, you know it's true). The Kardashians basically introduced the world of intense contouring (and a whole bunch of other stuff) to us, thanks to the internet. 

Contouring is basically to accentuate your natural facial structure (not manipulate them) through mimicking shadow and light. Contour products can come in various forms, but to make it easy to understand, it comes in cream and powder form. Due to the high demand of contouring products, you can get top notch contouring products from both high street and drugstore brands! 

So, here are 5 tips to help you achieve that flawless, I-will-cut-you-with-my-cheekbones contoured complexion!

1. Know Your Face

Before you dive in with the brush and product, know your facial structure. Do you have a round, oval, square or heart shaped face. Take some time to analyse your face through a mirror. This will help you know where you should be contouring. For example: if your face is round, contour in the lower cheek and jawline area to help elongate your face shape.

2. Your Contour Shade and Formula

Some people think that contouring can be achieved by just using bronzer, but that's not the case. Like the name states, bronzer helps bronze up the face, giving a sun-kissed look to the skin, not mimic shadow. Therefore, make sure you get either a cream or powder formulation for contouring. Many brands have released contouring palettes in both forms, such as the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream and Powder Contour kits. For your contour shade, choose a shade that's more cool/grey-toned. This is because naturally, shadows are more grey-toned. Powders are more intense whereas creams are easier to blend into the skin. For something with extra oomph, use both! Cream first, of course.

For easy contouring, keep the number 3 in mind. When contouring, you want to start from the forehead, into the hollows of the cheek, and lastly the jawline. If you pay close attention, this resembles drawing a 3-shape onto the side of your face with your contour product. This is an easy guide that many use to not confuse themselves and to achieve a balanced, chiseled look when contouring. 

4. Highlighting

Keep the highlighter in the center of your face, putting the product at the areas you want brought forward such as the forehead, nose, and right above your cheeks. Highlighting is done best with matte liquid or cream products such as a cream highlighter or a concealer lighter than your skin tone. 

5. Blend Till Your Arms Ache

BLEND. That's all I can say. Blending is IMPERATIVE. Blend carefully so that the contour looks seamless, and flawless. Use either a sponge or a brush, or use them both together! Powders blend easier with a brush whereas creams blend easier with a sponge.

I hope these tips have given you girls a clearer vision on how simple contouring is. Don't be so intimidated by the word, and give the trend a whirl! If you enjoy it, and how it looks on your skin, it my just be part of your everyday glam routine!

Lots of love,

Taty