Contouring is known as one of the best ways to change your face shape with makeup. If you want a more lifted, sculpted appearance, contouring is the way to go. It instantly enhances your face giving the appearance of a mini face lift. And while contouring of the past has been a bit intense, there’s a more subtle way to do it to ensure you look as natural as possible. Contour products are available in an array of formulas from cream to liquid to powder, but we love the seamless look that can be achieved with cream contour. Curious to know more? Here’s how to apply cream contour for a gorgeous, sculpted look.
1. Apply Your Base First
Before going in with your cream contour, you’ll want to apply your foundation and concealer first. And make sure you use a cream or liquid base underneath, as powder products can end up pilling. Applying your base first will even out your skin tone and get rid of all the natural shadows and dimensions of your face. Having a blank canvas to work with is key to a gorgeous contoured look. Cream contour is easily applied over foundation and blended out for a seamless look.
2. Choose Your Contour
There are two different types of cream contour products you can choose from including a cream contour stick and a cream contour palette. You could also use a cream bronzer. It’s really up to you which one you prefer. Cream contours are extremely blendable and glide onto the skin seamlessly. You should be looking for a contour product that is three to four shades darker than your skin colour. Try a few out to see which product works best for you.
3. Blend with a Dense Brush
If you choose to use a cream contour stick, you can apply the product right to your face. If you’re using a palette, use a concealer brush to pick up the product and contour your features. For blending, you’re going to want to use a flat, dense brush. This will give you the best results. Make sure not to use a sponge as it will end up taking away too much of the product and won’t leave you with your desired look. Make sure to blend, blend, blend until your cream contour is fully melted into the skin.
4. Cream Contour Placement
The goal with contour is to give your face more depth and definition. Apply your cream contour to the top of your cheekbones, the temples, the jaw line, and the sides and tip of your nose. You can sweep the contour in horizontal lines or create small dotted lines that you’ll then blend out. While many people place cream contour below the cheekbone, placing it on top gives you more room to blend without dragging your face downward.
5. All About the Cheeks
When you’re blending the contour onto your cheeks, make sure to always blend upwards towards the temple. This helps keep the face lifted, giving the illusion of a mini face lift. This will also help it blend more seamlessly into your blush when you apply it. To create an even more sculpted look for your cheekbones, apply a cream highlight to the top of your cheekbones, then apply a powder highlight over top. This illuminates the top of the cheekbone, lifting the area and giving it an angled effect.
6. Create a Sculpted Jaw
One of the best contour tricks is creating a more sculpted jawline. Contouring your jawline helps to slim and refine the look of your entire face, giving you a more chiseled appearance. Keep in mind that you still want it to look as natural as possible. To contour your jawline, angle your chin upward and apply your chosen product along the edge of your jawline and under your chin. Start blending with your dense contour brush, softening any harsh lines until they melt into your skin.
7. Use Excess Product for Your Nose
If you’re going to be contouring your nose, use excess product left on your brush from contouring the rest of your face. This will ensure the contour isn’t too harsh. You want to be extra careful to not overdo it with nose contour and always use a light hand when applying your contour product. This way it will look as natural as possible while still slimming out your nose.
8. Set Your Face
After you’re done with contouring, highlighting, bronzer and blush, set your face with translucent setting powder. This will ensure your makeup stays put and is especially important if you’re using cream products. Otherwise, they can easily be swept away throughout the day. Make sure not to set before you apply your cream contour, otherwise your makeup will start to become chunky, separate and slide around your face.
9. How to Apply Cream Contour for Beginners | Chelseasmakeup
If you’re just getting started with cream contour, this tutorial will help you get the hang of it. She uses a cream contour palette, as well as a double-ended sculpt and shade brush and gives you her best tips and techniques to apply cream contour. She takes you through the different types of cream contour and shows you exactly how she applies, places, and blends her contour products.
10. How to Apply Cream Bronzer, Blush and Highlighter Updated | Nina Ubhi
In this tutorial, she uses a cream bronzer as her contour product helping to sculpt her face. She shows you how to press and blend the product to achieve a super natural finish. She also shows you how to prep your skin for the best makeup application, and what not to do when applying cream products. Along with the NARS Cream Bronzer, she also uses the NARS Air Matte Cream Blush and the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer.
If you’re looking to get started with cream contour, use these tips and tutorials to give a natural lift and sculpt to your face!
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