Contouring has become one of the most transformative techniques in modern makeup — and once you master it, you'll never look back. As a professional makeup artist with over 13 years of experience, I'm sharing my exact method for sculpting and defining your features.
What You'll Need
- A contour stick or powder (our Highlight and Contour Stick is perfect for beginners)
- A fluffy blending brush
- A setting powder
Step 1: Find Your Hollows
Suck in your cheeks gently — the shadows you see are exactly where your contour should go. Draw a line from your ear toward the corner of your mouth, stopping just past the apple of your cheek.
Step 2: Apply the Contour
Using a cool-toned, matte shade that's 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone, apply along the hollows of your cheeks, temples, jawline, and the sides of your nose if desired. Less is more — you can always build up.
Step 3: Blend, Blend, Blend
This is the most important step. Use circular motions with a fluffy brush to blend all harsh lines. There should be no visible edges — just a natural shadow effect.
Step 4: Highlight the High Points
Apply a light, luminous shade to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, brow bone, and Cupid's bow. This draws light to the areas you want to emphasize.
Step 5: Set Everything
Lock your look in place with a light dusting of translucent setting powder. This prevents the contour from sliding and keeps everything looking fresh all day.
Pro tip from Fatima: Always blend your contour in natural light before stepping out. Bathroom lighting can be deceiving — what looks blended indoors can appear too harsh in sunlight.
Ready to try it? Shop our Face Collection and find the tools and shades you need to sculpt your perfect look.
