Easy Contour & Highlighting

Contouring and Highlighting are one of the many makeup techniques that every makeup addict should have under their belt. They can totally transform your face by improving your features & hiding your flaws. As Darker colours (Bronzer) push back areas while lighter colours (Highlighter) bring them forward!

Things you'll need!

* To contour, you will need a colour that is one to two shades darker than your foundation. The product you use has to be matte it can be a cream or powder bronzer, brown or taupe blusher or brown eye shadow. My current favourites are NYC Sunny Bronzer, Nars multiple in Tuomota, Dainty Doll Blusher in Million Dollar Babies, Chanel Bronze universal.

* To highlight, you will need a colour that is one to two shades lighter than your foundation. You can use a shimmery Cream/beige eyeshadow, a lighter foundation/concealer or a highlighter.My current Favourites are Dior Amber Diamonds, Accesorize Golden sands or Bourjois Beige Rose 08.

* I would highly recommend using pressed powders for Highlighting as they are the easiest to use. Also pick a colour that is neutral not to pink or Yellow for your skin tone.

Places to Contour

* Under your cheekbones

* Along both sides of your nose

* Bottom of your chin

* Jawline

* Creases of your eyes

* Temples

Places to Highlight

* Front of the forehead

* Along the bridge of your nose

* Right above your cheeks

* Inner corner of your eyes

* Browbone

* Center of your chin

* Cupid’s bow (Top lip)

Obviously you don't need to do it in all the above places this is just a guide as where you can do it depending on your features & flaws :)

Simply follow the picture taken from Kevyn Aucoin above, making sure to blend the lines by gently pressing the colour onto your face, I prefer using a Real Techniques Buffing Brush. But you can use your fingers, a brush or a damp make up sponge, Whichever you are most comfortable with, Make sure there are no harsh lines or edges, Also try not to mix the two colours together, it is always easier to add more colour – and experiment to find out what works best for you.

I would also only recommend doing the above on a night out, as it looks best with night lighting, during the day i tend to just lightly Contour under my cheek bones, sides of my forehead & under my chin with powder, If i do highlight in the day i would just add a little on the tops of my cheeks. 

 I don't think contouring and highlighting is necessary for everyone, but it will definitely benefit you having a little contouring and highlighting. You just need lot's of practice and make sure everything is well-blended to make sure all lines disappear to make it look natural. I think it finishes a look making you look naturally gorgeous!!

Are you a fan of Contouring & Highlighting?

Wedding Make up..... Highlighter

Highlighting goes hand in hand with contouring it allows you to brighten & gets part of your face noticed like your Cheekbones, cupids box or down your nose! I like to use a slightly shimmery product but if you prefer matte then you can use a Concealer 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone, I'd personally steer clear of glittery products especially on your wedding day *Unless that's your thing!*, highlighting will make your face look healthy & glowing with a ' lit from within' result, There are lot's on offer from light concealer, to cream/liquid or powder highlighters choose the one you are most comfortable with!

This shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft, rosy glow. Works well with neutral, pink and rose blush shades. Five bars of luminous colour work as individual eye shadows. Swirl the Brush through all five shades and dust lightly on cheekbones after Blush. Focus on applying shimmer on the top of cheekbones - where light naturally hits the face - for the most flattering look. I have mine in Rose Gold. £32.00

Dior Amber Diamonds, sheer and shimmering as silk, the Poudre Shimmer Diorskin brightens the complexion with thousands of sparkles and an airy caress of translucent light subtly shaded with delicate, sparkly gem-like effects.Just the right amount of pearlescent particles and pigments designed to give the skin a beautiful sheen. This is just *sings* "AHhhhhhh" stunning the effect it leaves is stunning! £32.00 for 10g

Accessorize Bronzer in Golden Sands, this is definately NOT a Bronzer! it is the perfect product to Highlight it's a perfect combination, a lovely shimmery shade and not glittery at all, leaving a gorgeous sheen to your skin, you get alot of product for your money, great quality product & comes in a few shades perfect for light to dark skintones. £5.00

Meet Mary-Lou Manizer by The Balm, a seemingly innocent honey hued luminiser that catches everybody’s eye. This highlighter, shadow and shimmer diffuses light so your skin looks softer and younger while adding a subtle glow. This is a brilliant product but if you prefer subtle then this probably isn't the one for you. £15.00

Becca Illuminating Skin Perfector is a water-based moisturizer with an SPF of 20+ and light-diffusing particles of shimmer that creates instant radiance and vitality and reduces imperfections. You can mix with your foundation to illuminate the whole face or just apply to the skin after your foundation is on areas you'd like to highlight. It gives a gorgeous finish. £33.00 for 50ml

Benefit High Beam is a pale pink shimmery highlighter that gives a radiant, dewy glow to all those who dab it on their faces. As it’s only used sparingly, one bottle will last for ages and it’s one of those products that goes on like a dream, is fairly difficult to mess up and looks great without looking too much. It’s a satiny pink highlighter that creates a young, radiant, fresh complexion on all skin tones. £19.50

You can make your highlighting look as natural or as noticeable as you wish just choose the formula you are happy with, for very subtle highlighting just use a light concealer either before or after your foundation.

What's your preferred Highlighter formula & product?