I generally find that powder formulas are great for oilier skin types due to their longevity and mattifying properties,’ explains Laren. ‘For drier or more mature complexions, cream and gel contours are better for achieving a dewy, hydrated finish.’

Contour kits are now such a staple in our makeup arsenal, it's hard to believe that only a few years ago barely any of us paid attention to our cheekbones. Sure, we smothered our face in bronzer, but carefully sculpt and shade we certainly did not. Highlighters, on the other hand, can have either a matte or shimmery finish, delivering a glowy or brightened look. What different types of contour palettes are available? When you’re doing a full face contouring, you need to prepare a smooth and even base to make sure that all products look good and set long-lasting. So, we suggest moisturising your face well and applying a face primer. Once you’ve worked out your undertone, select a contour shade that’s two or three times darker than this. Remember, all good contours will likely contain at least some grey pigments.’ Still unsure? ‘Knowledge of how your skin reacts to the sun is also useful here,’ explains Lauren. ‘If you have cool skin you’ll tend to go more pink than olive, so to achieve a natural look, choose contours with a subtle hint of pink. Warm undertones tan easily so they lend well to deep terracotta and chocolate hues, while those with neutral tones may burn then tan, making earthy toned, olive shades good for them.’ Feeling overwhelmed? ‘It’s all trial and error,’ reassures Lauren. ‘Be patient and play around with products until you find what works best for you.’ Look at where you want to contour — there are so many potential areas, from cheekbones to slim the face, the sides of the nose, to under the chin to softly chisel the jaw. Use a soft small brush to apply your contour, such as MAC 109 contour brush, which has a perfectly shaped dome head that hugs cheekbones to perfection.

Did you know that blush can also help in contouring your face? This technique is called draping. Apply blush, for example, Lakmé 9to5 Pure Rouge Blusher, on your cheeks, eyelids and nose tip. Follow the ascending lines, and for refreshing anti-age make up we suggest applying blush on higher points of your face. Do not use cream or liquid blush over dry textures, powder products should be layered only over creamy and liquid ones. Contour should be applied after your foundation and be around two to three shades darker than your natural complexion or the shade of your foundation. That difference is key for creating enough of a contrast between your skin colour and the contouring product to achieve a sculpted appearance without looking unnatural. How much should I spend?

That being said, we all know that when it comes to makeup, there are no set rules and it all comes down to having fun experimenting and figuring out what best works for you. So if you're all about using a bronzer as contour, we're definitely not here to judge. How to apply cream contourTo finish, sweep whatever is left on the brush around the cheek to give a more lifted, blended look. Use the same bronzer shade to add warmth around the forehead and down each side of the nose – remember, less is definitely more!” Many believe bronzer and contour have the same function, but this isn’t strictly true,’ says Lauren. ‘While there are definitely similarities, knowing the key difference is important when it comes to creating that desired sun-kissed or sculpted look. Bronzer works to warm the skin, providing a tanned radiance for an enhanced, more glowing version of your natural complexion. Contour, however, is designed to add cooler tones to sculpt the skin, creating the illusion of more defined facial features. When properly applied, it’s a magic transformation.’ A go-to phrase among make-up artists is “follow the hollow”, which basically means assessing where shadows naturally occur on the face,’ explains Lauren. ‘I then apply my chosen contouring product around the sides of the forehead, down to the temples, and over the jawline for that gorgeous, sculpted look. Depending on your face shape, you can change where you apply your contour. To complement your jawline you can concentrate contour there, or if you want to flatter your forehead you can apply extra product along your hairline.’

Blending cream contour, liquid or powder sculptor is as important as mapping it out. Use the larger surface area of a damp makeup sponge to blend the contour shades into your base makeup. You can switch to a smaller blender for areas like your nose or the eye crease. Use small, circular motions while tapping, and make sure you only stop when the contour looks seamless. We've scoured through options that are suitable for all skin tones and skin types, including both bronzers that can work as an alternative as well as cool-toned contouring products. You'll find everything from affordable must-haves and premium buys to new releases and cult-favourites (including those that are loved in the GLAMOUR office). Contour makeup products with cool shade are suitable for skin that has pink undertone. If the veins under your skin appear purple or blue, your skin is likely to have a cool undertone. When you select the right contouring tone, it looks more natural and complimentary to your skin. Warm Toned Contour

The best part is that unlike traditional powdery contour products, cream contour is a lot easier to blend and doesn't result in a cake-y finish (think dewiness all around, instead). That being said, mattifying creamy formulas are also very much a thing, so if that's up your alley, there's definitely more than enough to choose from. Plus, one of the main reasons why I adore cream contour is because of how versatile it is. I love using it as cream eyeshadow in my crease for an everyday look. Many will have questioned the difference between contouring product and a bronzer. While a bronzer is typically used to warm the face and add a sunkissed glow to the skin, a contouring product will be used to define and sculpt the face. Often when we see bad contouring, it comes down the using the wrong shade. Treat matching your contour product like finding a perfect foundation match, and you can avoid those muddy greyish cheekbones we've probably all spotted once or twice. FYI: We updated this article in January 2023 to give you the most up-to-date info on contouring makeup kits, including several we personally tested, makeup artist tips for how to apply them, and how to choose the best contouring makeup for yourself. For liquid and creamy formulas, we recommend reaching for a makeup sponge or dabbing it in with your fingers, whereas powdered compacts and palettes work best with makeup brushes.

How to apply contour? Following this simple rule of contouring will give you a defined and sculpted look. Trace out the parts of your face you want to add depth to with the Lakmé Absolute Facelift Palette. This can be your jawline, the hollow part underneath your cheekbones, or your nose makeup contouring. If there was just one tip that a professional MUA had to give you on how do you do contour makeup, it would be to identify your face shape. Face shape is essential information to have while contouring. So step in front of the mirror, take a close look at the dimensions of your face, and do your contour lines makeup accordingly to face shape. Once you figure out how your face can benefit from contouring, you can easily do it in a few simple steps. It is generally believed that the use of contour in makeup is best-suited for special occasions like an event or a photoshoot. Since it takes a long time to contour, daily use can be skipped. Instead, learn to strategically place your blush, to add subtle contour without using as many products. Does contouring make you look older? If you’re wondering where to buy contour makeup kit, we suggest you to find your best product first, then learn what contouring makeup tools you really need. To set your contouring makeup, you’ll need a big, wide and fluffy brush for powder. To avoid cakey effect, take a product with the brush, then shake it a little bit to get rid of excess powder, and apply to your face in slight circular motions. How to Contour: A Step-by-Step Contouring Guide for Beginners For those looking for a more defined finish, or who are a dab hand at the process of contouring and wish to move to the next levels, cream formulations can add greater dimension and depth to the skin, while remaining easy to blend. Where should contour be applied?Powder makeup contouring is better for oily skin type, and it gives you sharp look and matte finish. If you’re looking for powder contour makeup in India, you can cut your contour makeup price by using a powder in darker shade. Try Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation, available in 6 shades, that gives you comfortable wear, long-lasting and smooth finish. The Tools You Need