Does contouring work for you? Share!
Yes, it definitely helps to slim down my face and bring out my cheeks. I don’t find that I like my nose contoured at all and only subtle contouring along the jaw.
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Yes, to add some definition to the nose and cheekbones. But I usually run out of time in the morning, so I don’t contour as much as I should
Not really, because I haven’t found a product that is light or cool/gray enough and matte. Everything is too dark, or orangey, or looks like dirt on my face. I sometimes use MPZ “Morphine” blush but it’s sparkly and a little patchy, so it’s more for fun than actually trying to contour.
I’m yet to find a good colour for me too. As you say everything is really orangey which just looks ridiculous because I’m so pale.
Yeah I’ve even tried stuff recommended by other pale people (like Phyrra) and I still haven’t found one that doesn’t look awful on me.
The only thing even close is MPZ Morphine, but like I mentioned above it has glitter.
Try using L’Oreal True Match powder 2 shades darker than your foundation shade. Cool, neutral, & warm tones
I appreciate the suggestion, but unless the foundation is literally gray and not just cool tone beige, it just looks like I haven’t washed my face in a week.
Chanel Notorious Ombre Contrast
http://www.temptalia.com/chanel-notorious-ombre-contrast-sculpting-veil-review-photos-swatches
I like to do a little contouring, light just above my brows, my nose and my cupids bow. Just a pinch on my chin. I use matte bronzer under my cheeks, my jawline and the upper part of my neck.
Im careful to use a very light hand and blend very well.
Sometimes matte eyeshadow has better color choices.
Sephora Tranquil or Notoriously Morbid Necromancy are both good, cool, gray-toned ones.
Tranquil really works on you? (I think we have similar skintones and taste in looks just from seeing your other comments) My closest Sephora doesn’t have it to swatch, and Christine gave it a C so I didn’t want to blind order.
Tranquil is the perfect color for me, and not too dark. I’m using it now instead of MAC Taupe. I don’t have the dry/dusty issue with mine that Christine had. It sounds like there may have been a QC issue. A few other people here had good luck with it, so I tried it. If you get a bad one, you can exchange it.
Necromancy has a great texture and applies really super-nicely, but it’s indie so there’s turn-around time. It’s like a loose, more pigmented version of Tranquil.
Check out Shiro Cosmetics.
I appreciate the suggestion, but I actually ordered one of the Sherlock ones from Shiro after having it recommended to me by someone else. I was excited to finally have a straight up cool gray contour powder to try.
It never arrived, and when I contacted them they blew me off. I never got the product and had to file a claim with paypal for my refund. 🙁
Have you tried Blackbird Cosmetics? She sells sample sizes. The powders are loose, which not everyone wants to deal with, but she has an interesting range of colors, and even a true gray. I don’t know if they’re still available, but Shiro was selling blushes and contours themed off the Sherlock series, and she has a couple warm and cool grays (again, loose).
I would add that I’m extremely gold in undertone, and I use Shiro’s “Three Patch Problem” as a contour — it’s the only contour I’ve found that looks completely natural with my skintone.
I have never heard of Blackbird, I will check them out, thank you!
But like I mentioned above, I had a bad experience with Shiro and will not order from them again.
Contouring also works for me, I use it to add more definition to my cheeks and jawline.
Noooo. I have almost a full face full of melasma so adding any shading would look like a mess.
It sure does! With contouring, I can cause my already high cheekbones to appear like they once did, can slenderize & soften my jawline (to look more youthful), and soften my hairline area and temples. I also heavily utilize contouring with my eye shape and very small visable lid area to make it appear that my eyes actually have a socket crease, that they’re larger and more open than without all my little tricks! The only reason I don’t bother with my nose is because I wear glasses, and my nose is an oil slick!
Yes, it works for me. It does wonders for my cheekbones, nose, and jawline. At first, I didn’t like it, but that was only because I wasn’t using the right shade(s) for my skin tone, and I wasn’t contouring according to my face shape. After I had figured out my face shape and found the makeup products that worked best, I began practicing the art of contouring, religiously, to ingrain it in my mind. Now I only use [strong] contouring whenever I want a little oomph to my makeup look. It’s definitely not an everyday thing.
It does – helps emphasise my cheekbones, mostly, so when I actually bother, it’s usually just cheeks and the sides of my forehead, then whatever’s left on the brush to swipe across my jawline and under my chin.
I love contouring! I have a very round face so it helps to add in dimension. I don’t like doing my jawline, but I love contouring my cheeks, temples, and my nose is a must lol. I love adding shimmer on top of my nose bridge also.
Not really very much – mostly, it makes me look like I have dirt on my face! I do find, now that I’m of a “certain age”, that a bit under my chin helps with diminishing gravity’s desire to give me a double chin!
For me it’s a must. A little contouring makes my face slimer and I get a lot of complements when I wear it.
I have a fairly angular face and strong jawline, and I’ve lost weight due to illness recently which only makes my structure that much more prominent, especially as I get older. So, theoretically, I do not need it. But I like a soft contour with much emphasis on the word soft. I do not contour my jawline at all, but do a bit in the hollows of my cheekbones and my nose and I diffuse with a huge brush a bit of bronzer around the perimeter of my face. I think it plays up the structure without going overboard. I learn from what I see and with respect to contour, I see a lot I do not like personally. I do not care for that muddy face look or the racing stripe look carried too far down the cheekbone.. both of these look unnatural and theatrical to me. So from my perspective and tastes, I think less is more,.
Soft is definitely better, by far! I cannot stand the crazy thing so many are doing using a bunch of different colors of heavy theatrical cream makeup to create uber-sharp, unnatural “shadings”! I only use a powder a few shades darker than my skin, diffused quite well, to softly add dimension and natural shadows that most people don’t even realize is makeup.
I have very strong features–square face, high cheekbones, manly jaw, strong nose–so you’d think that contouring would help soften and define, but… nope. Even a MUA I asked for help finally had to admit that maybe some faces are just best left uncontoured. Granted, that was a couple of years ago and they’ve come out with better products for fair skin since–maybe I’ll have to try again with a more subtle product!
It looks natural when I do it lightly under my cheekbones since I already have a natural shadow there, but looks really fake when I do my nose and heavily on my eyes since there’s no natural shadow to hide it. So it works in some ways but I can’t pull off a full contoured face.
Bronzer is a must for me to warm up the face. I haven’t used it as a sharp contour yet because I feel like it would look unnatural and very made up. My makeup looks are fairly natural.
I have a natural contour, so I don’t contour much. But I bronze the heck out my face! Lol…it’s more flattering.
Definitely! I contour under my cheekbones and on the sides of my nose. I find a more diffused contour is more flattering on my face shape than the sharper contour a lot of people like (ex. I sweep bronzer down the sides of my nose with the bronzer brush, instead of going in with an eyeshadow brush and carving out a strict line) and whenever I contour my jawline it ends up looking really muddy for some reason. But I definitely like how it adds back dimension to my face after I’ve taken it all away with foundation.
Nope! My face is little and my features already define. I look too skinny with contour.
I remember contouring back in the 80s, it was the done thing to have a stripe of blusher or bronzer down your cheek! I didn’t wear it though, I was only a child of the 80’s! This time round, I don’t bother as I have fair skin and it can look very unnatural in real life. I think it’s best left to those with medium tone or darker or for photography purposes. I only wear blusher or bronzer in small amounts, enough to give me a slight colour and lift to my complexion.
Maybelline did a “contouring blush trio” in the late-80’s, and I had 3 of the 4, LOL! They consisted of a deep, matte shade, a mid-tone satin shade, and a very frosty, pale shade, all in the same “family” (I had pink, peach, & plum, but I don’t recall what the 4th was), and designated by “season”. As long as one used a light touch, they were actually quite effective!
I wore those all the time in college. I think Covergirl had something similar. I remember I had a true lavender trio, that I was in love with, but I can’t remember which brand it was.
When I can find a color that works as a contour, it does help slim my chipmunk cheeks! The tricky part is finding the right shade for golden/tan skintones that’s not too muddy, but is dark enough to actually show up as more than a bronzer. I highlight sparingly because I have oily skin. It, um, “shines” pretty well on its own!
Definitely. Contouring under my cheekbones makes them look naturally a lot more noticeable. I contour under my jaw too sometimes and I rarely ever contour my nose.
I have an oval shaped face and as I have aged I have naturally (and this stinks) lost volume in my face. So, I contour only very little just to bring my cheekbones out a bit. I also will place a bit around my jaw line, top of my forehead and bottom of my chin. if there is time, I will do my nose lightly and lips. I do not contour daily or even weekly lately. Sometimes I feel like I look better without it. plus it’s extra time.
I can’t be bothered. I don’t think I really need it anyway. I just make sure my blush or bronzer’s ‘edge’ hits the hollow under my cheekbones, and I also bring them up just above my temples a bit. (I use either blush or bronzer, never both.)
Yes it works for me. But I do not do extreme contouring all over my face with the thick creams of very contrasting shades. I do subtle contouring with powders.
It seems to as I have a round face.
I only do a bit of contouring on my cheeks, forehead and the odd time on my jawline.
It works, but to an extent on me. On my cheeks it works wonders, but not on my nose or jawline. It just looks odd. So instead I just add light bronzer to the sides of my nose and don’t do my jawline at all.
I’m really heavy, and even when I was thinner, I had a round face and chipmunk cheeks. I’ve been contouring under my cheekbones since college. I added light contouring around my chin, and on my nose. I think contouring is slimming and adds some definition to my face. My nose is pretty large and wide, with a flat bridge, so I think a little contour really gives it more dimension and slims it slightly. Nothing is going to make it look a whole lot smaller, so I don’t really try to do that.
I’m not into the super-contoured Kardashian look, so I haven’t tried it.
Yes I love it! I don’t do it on a daily basis though, mostly because I just don’t bother.
I *love* contouring, and have been doing it consistently for 25+ years! I don’t try to alter my features, nor do I try to look slimmer; I simply use the technique to add dimension to my features that have been softened by foundation. I’m pretty fair, and until I discovered a blush shade range that didn’t make me look like a clown (I didn’t wear blush from college until my late-30’s), I relied on neutral/nude contour/highlight shades to add “life” to my face. I’m literally like a kid in a candy store when it comes to the current trend, and own quite a bit of products, all while searching for more, LOL!
I concentrate primarily on my cheekbones, as I currently have bangs, so it’s a bit irrelevant to bother with my forehead/temples; however, for that area, I typically just go with a darker foundation around the perimeter of my face (which is also a way to get use from foundation that is too dark). I also don’t regularly contour my nose, but I will highlight the bridge.
I think so, yep. I have a really round face so it helps enhance things to be a bit more angular and also makes my face look a bit more oval shaped.
Honestly, I’ve never found a shade that worked for me. I need something purply taupe. I’ll probably try the one from Sephora unless Chanel will re-release Notorious. Are you listening Chanel?
Same as you! I definitely swear by contouring, it’s one of my favourite steps in my makeup routine. I was not born with any cheekbones and I like to fake that did 🙂 Otherwise my cheeks are just chubby and undefined.
I’ve found that the Morphe contour palette has contour colors that are cool toned and not too dark or orangey
To a small extent – but like you, I do like to contour my cheeks and cheekbones.
It works, but I rarely do it, as I don’t think I need to.
It took me a long time to find a colour that worked, I use MAC Taupe. All the brown toned products makes me look dirty.
Only at the highest and lowest points of my long face. A little under my jawline to help camouflage sagging, some at the tip of my chin, and some to shrink my “fivehead” at the hairline. Otherwise, no. My face is on the angular side, and already hollow under my cheekbones. So any attempt at contouring around my cheeks makes me look like the ghost of Jacob Marley (I’m not skilled enough to use contour for my nose… all previous attempts just made me look like I was playing in dirt.)
Not really. I have pretty strong cheekbones so I don’t need to do any of that, but I’ve tried to highlight the crease of my very deep-set eyes so they don’t look so skeletal but I don’t think it helps at all. Too many natural shadows. Contouring can’t really stop that.
It definitely works on my cheeks, but only with an almost mauvy grey tone (no browns), and on the sides of my nose. The jawline contouring seems really fake and weird on me, even if I do it in the most subtle way possible.
Only if I want to look undead! I’m already all cheekbones and pointy parts and angles and v thin/gaunt.
Not really, or at least I haven’t found the right products yet.. suggestions welcome! Anyway I feel like I am too pale to be able to find lighter shades for the highlighted areas (NC15) and that for the darker bits nothing seems natural enough, though I am slightly tempted by Benefit’s Hoola bronzer as it is matte and cool toned. I usually hope that my face has enough real contours already and just add MAC mineralise skinfinish in Lightscapade or the Strobe cream for extra glow.
I don’t know, Hoola was one of the first I tried and I’m convinced the other ghosts who suggested it were still not quite as fair as I am, because it was definitely not light or cool enough. But I’m NW10 so I’m even more fair than you. Good luck!
I’ve done subtle contouring since my early 20s. It’s a part of my routine.
I like to do a little contouring, light just above my brows, my nose and my cupids bow. Just a pinch on my chin. I use matte bronzer under my cheeks, my jawline and the upper part of my neck.
Im careful to use a very light hand and blend very well.
Yes it does add definition to my cheeks as I have a really round face.
Noooo. I already have a strong jaw and high cheekbones so for me, contouring is unnecessary. Plus, I’ve tried it before and it made me look ridiculous.
Not me. I’m too fair. I’ve tried the tips and the tricks, shade after shade, method after method. The best I can do is make it not look absolutely horrible, and to do that, I have to apply it so lightly that it’s basically invisible, and then what’s the point? Maybe one day!
i don’t really need it to be honest! i have a defined jaw and cheekbones already and the thin nose look just doesn’t work on me especially since i don’t have a very thin face. i’m quite content with my wide face too so i’ve never really felt the need to thin it down with contour powder. howeverrrr that doesn’t necessarily mean i don’t enjoy playing with contouring every so often! it’s fun to make my cheekbones even more defined sometimes and i can get away with it without looking dead since i don’t have a skinny face.
i will say that i enjoy strobing much more than contouring though! it’s fast and natural looking and i don’t have to worry about looking like i threw dirt on my face or anything.
Omg contouring is actually a MAJOR part of my makeup routine! I have a round face, so I use contouring to shape it, slim my face down, etc. it’s helped me so much, before contouring, my face looked SO flat, now it has definition! Oh, contouring my nose, Cupid’s bow, AND contouring my jawline/under my chin, are things I always make sure to remember too lol. Contouring is like Magic! ???
I have this horrible bump on the side of my nose, and contouring really helps even it out and make it look straight. I just use a light contour powder and then I do the hollows of my cheeks slightly. I don’t really need it anywhere else.
Yes! I have five fingers high and rather wide forehead, so contouring is practically a staple in my routine. I usually contour ever so slightly just under the cheekbones and jawline while preferring highlighting for the nose.
no! I just wind up looking dirty. I don’t have super obvious cheekbones at all, so contouring just makes me look like a crazy person. Strobing, on the other hand, works like a dream.
it’s definitely works but it’s not something I use every day! I feel beautiful when I do a full face of make up and am able to contour! It’s something I never thought I would be able to learn but it makes me feel beautiful and when I do it and on others it makes them feel beautiful as well.
I can make it work for me on my cheeks and jawline, but I really only use it under my chin; because I’ve always had a very full, round face, when I contour, I don’t look like me. Also, I wear a full-face helmet nearly every day, and the cheek pads wipe off carefully applied makeup, so there’s no point in going to the extra effort.
I’m sure it could but I still haven’t learned how to contour quite yet. :\ I’ve tried but it just looks so-so on me. Also, I don’t know that I want to add additional time to my makeup application. But I’m open to learning though if it will slenderize my face.
Depends on what lighting I’m going to be in. I find unnatural, fluorescent/office type lighting casts enough shadows on me that contouring is overboard. But a dark restaurant, club, evening event, etc. bring it on. Along with the frosty highlighter! 🙂