Using a concealer contour palette is an effective way to sculpt and define your facial features, creating depth and dimension with targeted application of lighter and darker shades.
A concealer contour palette typically contains multiple shades, usually one or two darker shades for contouring and one or two lighter shades for highlighting. The strategic application of these shades can enhance your bone structure, make features appear more prominent or recessed, and balance your face shape.
Preparing Your Skin for Contouring
Before applying any makeup, proper skin preparation is key for a smooth, long-lasting finish.
- Cleanse and Moisturize: Start with a clean, moisturized face. This creates a hydrated base for makeup application.
- Prime: Apply a primer suitable for your skin type. Primer helps create an even canvas, blurs imperfections, and extends the wear of your makeup.
- Foundation (Optional): Many prefer to apply a light layer of foundation before contouring to unify their skin tone.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Mastering the use of a concealer contour palette involves understanding where to apply each shade and how to blend them seamlessly.
1. Applying the Contour (Darker Shade)
The darker shade in your palette is used to create shadows and recede features.
- Target Shadow Areas: Apply the darker of the two concealers to key spots where your face naturally has shadows.
- Specific Placement: These natural shadow areas include beneath your cheekbones, around your hairline, down the sides of your nose, along your jawline, and just below your bottom lip.
- Beneath Cheekbones: Draw a line from your ear towards the corner of your mouth, stopping about two-thirds of the way. This creates a hollowed-out effect.
- Hairline: Apply along the temples and upper forehead, blending into the hairline, to make the forehead appear smaller or more defined.
- Sides of the Nose: Draw thin lines down both sides of your nose to make it appear narrower.
- Along Jawline: Apply along the underside of your jawbone to define and sharpen the jawline.
- Below Bottom Lip: A small dab just below the center of your bottom lip can make the lip appear fuller.
2. Applying the Highlight (Lighter Shade)
The lighter shade is used to bring features forward and add brightness.
- Target High Points: Apply the lighter concealer to areas where light naturally hits your face.
- Specific Placement:
- Forehead: Center of the forehead.
- Under Eyes: In an inverted triangle shape under the eyes to brighten and conceal dark circles.
- Bridge of Nose: A thin line down the center of your nose (between the contour lines).
- Chin: Center of the chin.
- Cupid's Bow: Just above the center of your upper lip to enhance lip shape.
- Brow Bone: Just under the arch of your eyebrow to lift and define.
3. Blending is Key
Seamless blending is crucial for a natural, diffused look, avoiding harsh lines.
- Tools: Use a damp makeup sponge (like a beauty blender), a dense blending brush, or even your fingertips.
- Technique: Gently pat and buff the product into the skin. For contour, blend upwards and outwards to lift the face. For highlight, blend lightly to maintain brightness. Avoid wiping motions, which can remove product.
- Work in Sections: Blend one area at a time before moving to the next.
4. Setting Your Contour and Highlight
To ensure your sculpted look lasts all day:
- Powder: Lightly dust a translucent or matching setting powder over the contoured and highlighted areas. This locks the cream products in place and prevents creasing or smudging.
- Baking (Optional): For a more dramatic and long-lasting highlight, you can "bake" your under-eye highlight by applying a generous layer of loose translucent powder and letting it sit for a few minutes before dusting it off.
Contour and Highlight Placement Summary
| Feature | Contour (Darker Shade) | Highlight (Lighter Shade) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheeks | Beneath cheekbones | Tops of cheekbones |
| Forehead | Temples, along hairline | Center of forehead |
| Nose | Down the sides | Bridge of nose |
| Jawline | Along the jawbone (underside) | N/A |
| Lips | Just below the bottom lip | Cupid's bow |
| Eyes/Brows | N/A | Under eyes (inverted triangle), brow bone |
| Chin | N/A | Center of chin |
Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Shades: Select a contour shade that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone and has cool undertones (greyish-brown) to mimic natural shadows. Your highlight shade should be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone and have brightening undertones.
- Tools Matter: While sponges and brushes are common, experimenting with different tools can help you find what works best for your desired finish.
- Start Small: Begin with a small amount of product and build up if needed. It's easier to add more than to take away.
- Consider Face Shape: While general rules apply, understanding your unique face shape can help you tailor your contour and highlight placement for optimal results. For instance, a round face might benefit from more defined cheekbone contour, while a long face might need contouring on the top of the forehead and chin.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't flawless. Contouring takes practice to master.
