How To Contour and Highlight

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, I will get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through any of my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I love makeup but it is not a passion for me. I don’t consider myself to be a makeup artist, but I have learned from some of the best on YouTube when it comes to applying your makeup correctly. It is a form of art and some people are better at it than others, literally. You can keep your makeup natural and simple or completely transform yourself. My personal opinion is why would you want to look like a completely different person with makeup? The point is to enhance your natural features and add a new dimension to your face. It’s not even supposed to be noticeable—just a subtle definition.

Contour is “an outline, especially one representing or bounding the shape or form of something”. Making your nose look smaller, making your face look slender, accentuating your cheekbones, and making your eyebrows more prominent. A highlight, on the other hand, refers to “pick out and emphasize”. It adds that finished glow to your face that you see on magazine covers.

I do not contour, unless I am doing a photo shoot. I am happy with my facial structure, but I do love to highlight. If you are blessed with naturally sculpted cheekbones and a structured jaw line, you are one lucky person. But for those who need a little help in that department, let’s look at this pictorial on contouring and highlighting.

What you will need:

Contour makeup
Highlighter
Brushes

One simple rule to remember is: highlighting is a C shape over your entire face, while contouring follows an E shape. Always start by contouring and follow-up with a highlighter.

I normally purchase all my eyeshadows typically from Ulta Beauty

Urban Decay Naked2 Palette

Ecotools Cruelty Free Define and Highlight Duo, Made With Renewable Bamboo and Recycled Materials, Tapered Bristles, Highlight and Define, Best Used with Powders, Bronzers and Highlighters

EcoTools 6 Piece Starter Set, Includes: Powder/Blush, Concealer, Full Shadow, Spoolie and Angled Liner Brushes, with Cosmetic Bag, Cruelty Free

EcoTools Start The Day Beautifully Kit

EcoTools Stay Matte & Beautiful Kit

Ecotools 1200 Make-Up Brush Large Powder (2 Pack)

EcoTools Airbrush Complexion Kit

EcoTools 5 Piece Travel Brush Set (Packaging May Vary)

Eco Tools Foundation Brush, 1 ea – 2pc

Ecotools Brow Shaping Set, 0.08 Ounce

EcoTools Wonder Impact Shadow