Do you look in the mirror and feel like your face is showing the signs of age more than you’d like? Contouring for a youthful look may be the anti-aging beauty trick you’ve been looking for. Properly applied contours can recreate the lift and definition from your youth for a fresher, more vibrant version of you.
| Key Takeaways |
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| Contouring slims, sculpts, and adds definition back to the face Strategic highlight and contour placement can counteract natural aging changes like sagging skin and loss of facial fat Learning professional techniques from makeup artists can help you contour like a pro |
If you’re new to contouring, start with the basics in our Simple Contouring for Beginners guide first.
Choosing the Right Makeup Products for Contouring
The key to naturally sculpted, youthful contours starts with using the right makeup products. Just like an artist selects the perfect brushes and paints to create a masterpiece, choosing complementary foundation shades and pro-level contour powders lays the groundwork for facial definition success.
1. Two Foundation Shades for Seamless Dimensions
Traditionally, we use a single foundation shade that matches our skin tone. But to create realistic shadows and depth, you need two complementary foundation colors:
- A shade that matches your natural skin tone
- A foundation 1-2 shades darker
These two foundation shades mimic the dimensions of your facial planes. The darker shade sinks into crevices like the hollows of the cheekbones, creating a shadow effect. Your regular shade highlights higher points, like your brow and cheekbones, with brightness.
Color Theory for Undertone Matching
Choosing two foundations with harmonious undertones creates depth without looking muddy or orange:
| Cool undertones: Pick two shades with pink/red hues | Warm undertones: Pick two shades with yellow/golden hues |
Not sure of your undertone? Look at the veins inside your wrist. Blue tones indicate cool coloring, while green hints at warmer hues.
Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic swears by cream contour sticks for a sharp sculpted look.
Contour Foundation Examples
When purchasing your two foundation shades, look for long-wear formulas that seamlessly layer without getting cakey. Here are some excellent drugstore and luxury options:
- L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte – budget-friendly with wide shade range
- Estee Lauder Double Wear – splurge pick that lasts all day
2. Contour Powder and Cream for Defined Shadows
In addition to two foundation colors, you’ll need an actual contour product. Contour powders create smooth, natural shadow effects to sculpt the face. For a more dramatic, sharply chiseled finish, contour creams offer a bold definition.
| Cool undertones: Pick ash-toned taupe powders | Warm undertones: Try bronze or cinnamon-based powders |
Favorite Contour Powder Picks
These global makeup artist favorites deliver flawless, fade-proof contouring:
- Benefit Hoola Bronzer – award-winning neutral bronze
- Fenty Beauty Match Stix – long-wearing contour stick with gray undertones
Now that you’ve selected the essential makeup for sculpting a youthful complexion, let’s learn professional contouring techniques in the next section!
How to Apply Contour for a Youthful Sculpt
Once you’ve selected the perfect contouring makeup products for your skin tone, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to work sculpting a flawlessly youthful complexion. Follow these professional techniques to lift your facial features and turn back the clock with the art of contouring for a youthful look.
1. Contouring the Forehead for a Subtle Lift
As we age, collapsing forehead muscles lead to lateral wrinkles and sagging brows. Strategically placed contour powder recreates the illusion of a smooth, taut forehead for an instant mini facelift without surgery. The Technique:
- Apply a line of contour powder in a V/U-shape from mid-forehead up towards the hairline
- Blend powder from the top down, focusing on the inner corners of the brows
- Don’t bring the contour shade past your eyebrows or it can close up your eye area
2. Chiseling Your Cheekbones for Major Definition
Full, pronounced cheekbones represent the epitome of youth. But over time, fat loss leads to flatness and sagging. Use cheek contouring to achieve a chiseled supermodel bone structure, no matter your age.Finding Your Natural Cheek Hollows:
- Suck in your cheeks like a fish face
- Note the natural shadow that appears on the upper cheek below the cheekbone
- Use a contour brush to deepen this shadow in the hollows above the jawline and blend lightly with a fan brush
Placing contours depends largely on your unique face shape. See our piece on Simple Contouring Tips for Round Faces.
3. Streamline Your Nose
Subtle skinny nose contouring slims wide and rounded noses for overall facial harmony. But don’t go overboard or you’ll end up with harsh lines or a fake-looking button nose. Nose Contouring Tips:
- Apply a thin line of contour shade down both sides of the nose, avoiding the nostril area
- Blend contour into natural crevices on the nose bridge and tip for subtle brightening
- Use a small makeup sponge to softly diffuse harsh pigment lines
Now that you know how to strategically sculpt a lifted, toned complexion, let’s move on to the final touches for a flawless contour!
Pro Contour Blending for Flawless Dimension
You sculpted and placed your contour powders like a pro, but unsightly streaks and harsh lines still plague your complexion, making you look older instead of more youthful. Don’t worry – proper blending transforms heavy contour into airbrushed dimension.
1. Multitasking Contour Brushes for Seamless Blending
With the right tools, blending is a cinch! Choose tapered contour brushes with a combination of firm and soft bristles:
- Firm bristles – buff product into skin
- Soft bristles – seamless blending
Or use a blending sponge for a flawless airbrushed effect. The soft rounded edges diffuse pigment beautifully.
2. Technique Is Key!
Glide your brush in stippling and circular motions to achieve customized, lifted contours:
- Use circular motions to blend edges of contour shades into a foundation
- Try light stippling motions to create soft, diffused dimension
Resist heavy swiping motions to prevent moving your makeup around unnaturally. Work in thin layers for buildable, believable definition.
See our guide on Contouring for Aging Skin to prevent settling into fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Troubleshooting Tricks
Cakey texture? Mist skin with rosewater or hydrating setting spray.
Visible lines? Pat and roll the sponge gently over harsh edges.
Flat, muddy color? Apply lighter concealers/powders strategically over shadows to recreate realistic planes.
Now that you’ve mastered seamlessly diffusing contour pigments, let’s add light-reflecting luminosity for a glowing, youthful finish in our next section!
Luminous Highlighting for a Lit-From-Within Glow
Strategic highlighting complements your beautifully blended contours, completing your youthful complexion makeover. Light-reflecting pigments recreate the radiant vitality of your earlier years for today’s sophisticated lady seeking the artful touch of contouring for a youthful look.
1. Prime Highlight Placement Areas
Apply luminizing powders and creams to key areas the light naturally catches:
- Tops of the cheekbones
- Brow bones
- Bridge of nose and cupid’s bow
These spots mirror where our skin loses collagen first, causing dullness. Strategic illumination recreates a lit-from-within vibrancy!
2. Cream, Powder, and Liquid Highlighter Formats
With diverse textures ranging from subtle to striking, you can customize your glow:
- Powders – buildable brightness
- Liquids – glass skin sheen
- Creams – hydrating, dewy washes of light
Try layering formulas too – powder over cream highlighters intensifies the effects beautifully.
3. Blend Edges for a Flawless Finish
Use the same circular, stippling techniques from your contouring routine to diffuse edges perfectly. With seamless dimension and light sculpting, you’ll contour years off your face!
Let’s seal the deal with pro-setting tips for long-lasting luminosity in our final section.
Lock In Your Youthful Contour With Pro Tips
You’ve painted on the ultimate contoured, highlighted complexion for a fresh, radiant version of you. But halfway through the day, your sculpted cheekbones start sinking and that gorgeous luminosity turns lackluster.
Don’t let your hard work go to waste! Use these pro techniques to set your makeup and fake a full facelift all day.
1. Setting Sprays vs. Powders
Like primers prep skin, and setting products to lock in makeup. Two options create longevity in different ways:
- Setting sprays: Contain polymers that layer over makeup to seal it onto the skin.
- Setting powders: Mattifying ingredients soak up excess oil to keep the product in place without moving.
For lasting lift and contour dimension, apply powder first, then spray.
2. Let It Set
After misting your makeup, let it dry completely rather than rushing off immediately. This allows products to adhere and bind to the polymers in the spray fully.
3. Touch Up When Needed
Carry pressed powder and mini-setting spray for midday touch-ups. Focus on T-zone areas that get shinier quicker. Freshening your makeup helps maintain the sculpted, spotlit effect.
Now that you know celebrity techniques for contoured perfection, it’s time to reveal your new youthful complexion!
Behold: Your New Youthfully Contoured Complexion!
You’ve followed celebrity makeup artist techniques for expertly chiseling away years with strategic contouring and highlighting. Now comes the fun part – unveiling the masterpiece you’ve created!
Admire Your Handiwork
Analyze your contoured complexion from every angle using good lighting and a magnifying mirror.
- Note enhanced definition along the temples, forehead, nose, and chin
- Appreciate the renewed lift and volume through the midface and cheeks
- Bask in the radiant glow along high points like the tops of cheekbones
Pat yourself on the back for the time and effort of mastering this anti-aging makeup technique! When done properly, contoured dimension softens lines, brightens eyes, refines features, and takes years off!
Snapping Your Reveal Selfie
Pose tips:
- Look slightly downward, allowing hair to cascade over one shoulder.
- Soft, diffused lighting is most flattering.
- Capture your best side! Most people photograph better from the left.
Now show off a peek into your inner beauty sphere and impress friends with your contouring skills!
Up next – even more genius tips for aging gracefully.
Elevate Your Look With More Contouring Intel
You’re well on your way to mastering techniques for a lifted, contouring for a youthful look. But growing your beauty skills never stops. Take your contour game up another notch with these advanced tips.
Adapting Steps for Mature Complexions
As skin loses elasticity, products can gather in fine lines and wrinkles. Modify the application to prevent settling:
- Prep with creamy primer to fill in crevices
- Use a damp blender sponge to press products into the skin
- Set makeup by dabbing on powder with a velvet puff
Common Contour Blunders
Even pros make mistakes! Here are the top pitfalls to avoid:
- Skipping blending altogether
- Choosing a contour shade too warm or cool for your skin tone
- Placing contours incorrectly for your face shape
When in doubt, watch online tutorials to troubleshoot problem areas!
More Genius Anti-Aging Tips
Complement your contouring routine with these quick age-defying tricks:
- Get 7-9 hours of beauty sleep nightly
- Consume collagen-boosting foods like bone broth and citrus
- Incorporate facial yoga toning exercises
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily
Put your best face forward at any age with pro highlighting, contouring, and skincare!
Mastering an Ageless, Contoured Glow
Like any artistic endeavor, perfecting your contouring and highlighting skills for a youthful look takes time and practice. But the payoff is worth it!
Following fundamental techniques from makeup pros, you can completely recreate the lifted, sculpted definition from your glory days. It’s like turning back the clock without going under the knife!
If creating flawless contours seems overwhelming, learn how to become a makeup artist and get hands-on practice!
Key Takeaways
Here are the most important contouring concepts for a youthful look complexion:
- Strategic placement of lights and darks recreate dimension lost through aging
- Blending evenly transitions pigments into the skin for an airbrushed effect
- Luminous highlights liven up dull, fatigued skin
With the right artistic vision, makeup tools really can provide a non-invasive mini facelift!
Reference:
A Makeup Artist Tells Us How To Contour Your Face To Look Younger
