How Do You Contour Your Nose and Cheekbones?

Contouring your nose and cheekbones involves using makeup to create shadows and highlights, adding definition and dimension to your face. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

Contouring Your Cheekbones

1. Prepare Your Skin: Start with your usual foundation and concealer routine. This provides a base for the contour.

2. Choose Your Contour Product: Select a contour product that's 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone. Powder or cream formulas are both acceptable, but cream contour is generally easier to blend for beginners. Look for cool-toned shades to mimic natural shadows.

3. Locate the Hollows of Your Cheeks: The easiest way to find them is to suck in your cheeks slightly. The hollow that appears is where you'll apply the contour.

4. Apply the Contour: Using a contour brush (angled for powder, or a dense brush for cream), apply the product starting from your ear and blending towards the corner of your mouth. Stop about two finger-widths away from your mouth to avoid a muddy look.

5. Blend, Blend, Blend: This is crucial! Use a clean blending brush or sponge to soften the lines and create a seamless transition between the contour and your foundation. Blend upwards to lift the cheekbones.

6. Add Highlight (Optional): Apply a highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones to enhance the contour and further define your cheekbones.

Contouring Your Nose

1. Prepare Your Skin: Ensure your foundation and concealer are applied before contouring your nose.

2. Choose Your Contour Product: Use the same contour product you used for your cheekbones. A smaller, more precise brush is recommended for nose contouring.

3. Contour the Sides of Your Nose: Apply a thin line of contour down both sides of your nose, starting near your brow bone and ending at the tip. The closer you bring the lines together, the thinner your nose will appear.

4. Contour the Tip of Your Nose (Optional): To shorten your nose, apply a small amount of contour to the very tip, creating a subtle shadow.

5. Blend, Blend, Blend: Use a small blending brush or your finger to gently blend the contour lines. Ensure there are no harsh lines.

6. Add Highlight (Optional): Apply a thin line of highlighter down the bridge of your nose to further define it. Be careful not to make the highlight too wide, as this can make your nose appear wider.

Using Concealer

Concealer can also be used for contouring by using a shade lighter than your skin tone to highlight the high points of your face such as under the eyes in a triangle shape blending down to the side of your nose. Blend well.

Key Considerations:

• Blending is Key: The most important aspect of contouring is blending. Harsh lines will make your makeup look unnatural.
• Start Light: It's easier to add more product than to remove too much. Start with a small amount of contour and build up the intensity as needed.
• Consider Your Face Shape: The placement of your contour will vary depending on your face shape. Research contouring techniques specific to your face shape for the best results.