How to: Contour the Face for Daytime

Good morning AMW Readers!  I'm still suffering from colds, maybe I pushed my body to the limit, but I'm staying positive!  I may look like crap at the moment but there's always makeup to the rescue!  *shhh*

For this week's "This Is How I Do It" post, it is inspired by readers' comments on how they dislike to contour on regular days as it will look fake on them!  Well guess what?  There is such thing as contouring for daytime!  That's why I came up with a simple tutorial I do as I like to create dimension on my face but it's always subtle-looking!  

Before you scroll further down, here are some of the old articles I've written about Nose Contouring and  face contouring (super old post).  Some of the products I've used are a shade or 2 darker powder foundation, MAC sculpting powder in Lightsweep/Shadester, Stila Contouring Trio and in this tutorial, my Yves Rocher Duo Powder/Bronzer!  (reviews will be up in the future)

Hope you enjoy my mini tutorial!  Feel free to click Comment below if you have further queries! 

Let's start with the nose area...

With a soft angled eyeshadow brush or any fluffy brush, apply the contouring powder starting from the inner corner of the eyes as shown on photo below.

Keep in mind the triangular portion, that's where you start so the nose contouring will look more natural.

 

Now extend the brush down on the sides of your nose ending at the side of nostrils.

 

Keep in mind this is the correct straight line we need in nose contouring...

 

 Not like this!  This application will make your nose appear wider!

The secret is to start by using a small amount of contouring powder gradually building up the color.  Remember that applying too much will make your nose dirty and muddy!  Last secret?  BLEND BLEND BLEND!  Just like eyeshadow application, the secret to contouring is blending!

On a side note, you can use a light colored powder to highlight the bridge of the nose.

Now you're done with nose contouring, let's head on to face contouring!  Keep in mind that there are many ways to contour your face based on your face shape!  As of the moment, since we're talking about "daytime" contouring, the default and easiest way to do it is the "E-shape" method!

To start off, instead of using a slanted blush brush, I prefer using a fluffier brush so the effect will come off more natural!  Keep in mind that this is not a "photography makeup", this is the type of makeup we do for going out to the mall, buying groceries, day time makeup for work or just a simple coffee date with friends or loved ones.  We do not want to super defined look that could make you look like  Mrs. Edward Scissorhands!

In this tutorial, I am using Charm Angled Kabuki Buffer Brush.

Starting from the temple, apply with a downward C-shaped strokes close to the hairline down to the "tragus" (blue dotted lines on illustration below).  Keep in mind to keep the angled tip of the brush close to hairline.

Continue creating another C shape movement from the hallows of the cheek down to the jawline.  Stand back and start blending the contoured area again to make sure any harsh lines will disappear.

Feel free to apply some more contouring powder from the jawline down to the neck with downward strokes.

Again, the key is to blend, blend blend!  The contoured area isn't as obvious on photos but it looks very natural in person!  Harsh lines aren't welcome in Daytime contouring.

Add on some blush and highlighting powder, your face is well-contoured and healthy looking!

Do you contour your face on a regular basis?
Which contouring powder do you use?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!