How to BronzTour

 

Are you into PINK OR ORANGE colored blushes?

Mine is actually NONE Of the Above because I am into Lilac colored cheeks.  

It started when I first tried Etude House's Sweet Recipe Cupcake - which I actually finished - yes, hit the pan!  I never looked back and even updated it with Laura Mercier's Kir Royale.

But as you all know, I could wear this for years but there are days I would look too pale and depend on my trustee Bronzers --- and no, I don't apply it as bronzer but as a blush.  It doubles up as a contour product too!

My favorite?  NARS LAGUNA BLUSH.  This works for all skin tone!  

You can be uber pale, medium tone or dark skinned.  You just need to control the amount of application and you are good to go!

I also like the fact that I minized my makeup application in half!  No need for separate contour powder and I can just use this same blush to apply lightly on areas I would like to "hide". 

How do you like this look?

Contour and Highlight Technique

 

Brows, eyeliner application.

Those were just some of the complaints I get from make up students.  Why is it so hard?  

One makeup application technique that is actually more difficult as you can imagine--- Contouring and Highlighting.

I remembered having a hard time when I was starting out as a Bridal Make Up Artist!  With HD Camera and videos, I was stressed to make sure the contour and highlight I am doing for the brides are perfect.  Imagine having crooked nose or fatty face from misuse of highlight and contour products?  

I . Was. SCARED!  Scared enough to always ask my husband to always check for the final look (2nd set of eyes always work!)  Ayan, I openly shared what I was scared off, but that's normal.  And being scared meant you will strive to learn and master your own craft!

So fast forward to today, I still do contouring and highlighting a lot!  These days, people are into no-makeup makeup look!  But this step is actually very important since we are on a selfie-era!  Everything had to be on videos or photos!  Kaya better be Camera-ready!

LIKE ME!

A simple before and after photo to show how subtle contour and highlight can make a huge difference!

Some of you have your own weapon, if you plan to do this on a daily basis, I suggest to most subtle, natural and easiest method are powders!  They may not last as long but the disappearance of the product can actually work better ---- a more natural effect.

I like to use the Make Up For Ever's Contour/Highlight KIT.  You can head on to their store and pick the right shade for you - I believe they have different versions for different skin tone.

Here are some subtle contour/highlight tips I learn through the years ---

How to use Make Up For Ever's GLITZY Palette

How many times do I have to stress to you the importance of subtle contouring, highlighting and blushing?

If not a lot of times, well I'm doing my part today!  

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT since this is the social media times - everyone's taking photos of their food, their clothes and most of all, their faces!  

And to have your photos taken on a smart phone, you'll want your skin to look healthy and fresh!  And I've got news for you --- it takes a bit of work sometimes and this palette I recently tried got its' own space at my dresser table!  I have been reaching out for this almost everyday!

Subtle look by Yours truly!

Make Up For Ever Glitzy Face Palette

Php3,950.00 (approximate)

Discover the all-in-one pro palette with 9 universal shades to create appealing makeup looks for all skin tones. Highlight, Sculpt, Blush, Glitz: 4 steps is all it takes to #glitzitup 

A Subtle Contour Powder for Fair Complexion!

Remember my favorite daily contour powder from Pony Effect?  If you don't, feel free to click link HERE and reread my old post!  I loved it so much I actually hit the pan and I don't know if I get to order from Althea again because they are always out-of-stock.

Yes, I have a couple of nice-looking contour powders for the face that I use on a daily basis but there are really days I'm craving for that super natural contour powder that looks almost seamless and invisible to the naked eye.  

What's the point of applying if it looks invisible you say?

Well, it gives a nice effect on Photos and #AMWIgStories ! hahaha Arte no?  But hey, a girl gotta do something to look nice for you guys!  #GroupHug nga!

So back to my subtle contour powder story!  The Pony Effect Contour Powder in Crony has a bit of a warmer undertone and some of you can see that on my review post!  Today, I'm sharing the same effect but this time, on a cooler undertone and you don't need to log online to purchase one!  It is easily accessible in Inglot Stores!

Inglot Freedom System HD Sculpting Powder

Shade 505

Php750.00

 Perfect product to contour and sculpt your face, enhancing only the best features and diverting attention from any imperfections. With high pigment colour concentration and translucent coverage the illusion of a more structured face can be achieved without the excess product.

Make Up For Ever Sculpting KIT Review

When I was studying makeup, one of the most sought after "contour and highlight" product was the one from Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit.  I've been wanting this forever but since I get easily distracted from other brands, I can't believe I just got this item latter part of last year!  

Make Up For Ever Sculpting KIT

02 Neutral Light

Php2,550.00

It comes in a nifty smooth black compact that is slim enough store even in your slim and tiny handbag.  

Keyword: Subtle Contouring with Clinique

"How can you possibly contour on a daily basis?"

It is possible if you contour the way I do.  No fake-tans, no bronzers, no dirty lines.

Just clean, fresh, natural-looking highlights and contours on specific areas of my face.  That's the AMW style of contouring on a daily basis!

The key to successful natural-looking contour?  Using the right product.  I found it recently through Clinique Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette in Defining Nectars (Php2,100.00).

BLK Cosmetics Contour, Blush & Highlight Palettes Review (Flushed and Sun-Kissed)

The Contour, Blush and Highlight palettes are in trend nowadays!  Who does not prefer a 3-in-1 product?  Raise your hand and I'll give you a good whipping! 

BLK Cosmetics may have just a few collection for a make up enthusiast like myself BUT, they came up with something COMPLETE in just a palette! 

The BLK Cosmetics Contour, Blush & Highlight Palette

Php499.00 each (approx $8.00)

Comes in 2 shades ---

Flushed (Rose Blush)

Sun-kissed (Peach Blush)

Description

Sculpting, made easy. Achieving perfectly defined cheeks is as easy as 1-2-3 with this three-step face palette with expertly coordinated shades to flatter every complexion: a matte contour, an iridescent blush, and a champagne highlighter. It’s also infused with Vitamin E to keep skin young-looking. Start sheer and blend to perfection. You can’t go wrong. 

How to Use the Maybelline FashionBrow 3D Brow & Nose Palette

I've had the Maybelline FashionBrow 3D Brow and Nose Palette for months now and I have been using this on and off feeling lukewarm about it so I took time, really long time to really understand if I like this product or not.

So Maybelline, a couple of months ago, launched their full range of brow products!  From pencils to powder palettes to wax and brow mascaras, I've tried almost all of them and with the FashionBrow 3D Brow and Nose Palette, I actually like this as an eyeshadow and nose contour rather than a brow powder!  Not because the product does not deliver, you'll see in my before and after photos that it does!  It's just that, I'm more of a brow pencil as of the moment!

Maybelline FashionBrow 3D Brow & Nose Palette

Php299.00

Finely-milled powder formulation adheres to skin for long-lasting wear; offers high-pigment, easy-to-apply brow color; helpful for light contouring and sculpting of the nose line; allows you to create shadow and dimension in other parts of the face; palette includes dual-ended brush for precision shading and definition.

Gorgeous Limited Edition Face Color Trio You Should Grab!

NOW!

And if you love Jessie J, there's more reason for you to get this palette!

I must admit, I love ALL Jessie J songs but that is not the reason why I picked this palette.  I originally picked this palette because of 2 words --- LIMITED EDITION.  And you know how it is when you are a make up enthusiasts, you tend to hoard on limited edition make up products just because you are scared you won't get the chance to own them in the future.

But guess what?  My love for this palette goes BEYOND Limited Edition.  I'll tell you more after the jump!

Tarte Tarteist Review

How does it feel to hold the most coveted Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow?
All thanks to my good friend Jheng for gifting me this because this palette deserves a shoutout and lots of "whistling" for being wonderful in terms of giving me the sculpt and glow that I want (and need!)

So pretty I can even skip applying face powder!

"A highlight and contour palette with six pigmented powder and cream shades to create perfectly glowing, chiseled looks on every skin tone." 

This product is housed in a velvety black cardboard palette.  I like the feel but I actually felt it gets dirtied up quite easily so I tend to put it back in the box after EVERY use (which is a hassle by the way). 

MakeUp World Complete Contour Palette Review

Next to brow products, I amp'd my "daily look" to the next level!  There's always contouring happening around my face and you have to give it to me..that's my way of adding dimension and "life" to my tired face!  (yes, if only I can contour my whole body on a daily basis hahaha)

Makeup World Philippines is a proud sponsor of AMW Workshop Series, thanks to them I also get to try out the products given to my attendees, and one product that I've been using so many times since receiving them last March is the Makeup World Complete Contour Palette.

This palette is a handy rectangular palette that contains 6 products --- 2 Bronzer/Contour, 2 Blush and 2 Highlight Shades

Swatches

The top color for me is apt for users with Fair to medium skin tone while the bottom 3 shades are perfect bronzer/blush/highlight shades for users with medium to darker complexion.

Of course, there are no rules in using this palette, you can always feel free to use any shades, even mix and match and create your own perfect face color!

Benefit HOOLA Lite Review

Hi AMW Friends!  Summer season is "almost" over!  But who said we can't keep the "warmth" on our faces?

When it comes to Benefit's Box O' Powders, HOOLA has always been that name that pops when it comes to "bronzer" or "instant face warmer".  But let's be serious, as much as I love that product, I wish they have something lighter that would be apt for fairer skin.

After years of waiting, I would say, this is worth the wait!  HOOLA LITE is here for girls like ME!

Housed in the well-known "box-type" packaging, I used to dislike how bulky it is making it difficult for me to bring this along for makeup gigs!  But....after piling them up together with other shades, I do like them better and I like how gorgeous they look inside my dresser drawer.

P.S. I really like the brush that comes with this!  So I can forgive the "bulkiness" anytime of the day!

Benefit HOOLA Lite Says ---

Now the award-winning hoola matte bronzer is joined by a lighter shade…hoola lite! This finely milled bronzer blends on smoothly & seamlessly. Ideal for fair skin—beyond ideal for a TANtasticly believeable bronze 365 days a year.

• Great for fair skin 
• Natural, light bronzer 
• Soft-matte powder

Details: 8.0 Net wt. 0.28 oz. 

Cathy Doll 3D Face Forward Contour Kit Review

Hello from the "Daily Contour and Highlight Princess" (yes, I was very cautious in NOT using the word QUEEN) #Mapaghahalata

I am surprisingly hitting the pans from one contour powder to another!  That proves I've been constantly using Contour products as much as I use my brow products (which meant...grabe na talaga!)  

For someone who doesn't get to go to beach trips as much as I did several years ago, you can't blame the girl for wanting to add some color to my face!  Just check out how a contoured and highlighted face (even with minimal makeup) can make a difference!

Aminin niyo, meron, I looked like I had a nice dose of Vitamin E over the weekend no?

And recently, I got to try Cathy Doll's newest palette called 3D Face Forward Contour Kit.  Packaging is cute, inspired by the Egyptian Queen I believe!

Only complaint?  The shade names are crazy!  So difficult to remember!  (You just don't know how many times I take a peek at the shade names while typing this post!)

Pony Effect Nice Shading Review (Crony)

If you are into watching Makeup videos on Youtube, you probably heard about Pony's Makeup.  I don't really get the chance to sit and watch youtube all-day long, but just in case I have a couple of minutes to spare before going to sleep, I watch Pony because I love her personality, her makeup style and just HER overall!  

So imagine the excitement when she came up with her own makeup line called Pony Effect.  How can I get my hands on them since I can't seem to travel to Korea anytime soon?  Thankfully, there's Althea and upon seeing them stock up on Pony Effect Makeup, I knew I had to give her Contour Powder a try!

On photo: 

AMW wears BB Cream, Brow product 

and Pony Effect Nice Shading in Crony

Pony Effect Nice Shading

Shade: Crony

Php960.00 (approx $19.20)

Available online at Althea

Product description (taken from Althea website)

How to Effectively Use Tony Moly Cheektone Contour Duo

I've seen the Tony Moly Cheektone Contour Duo so many times each time I visit the store and I try to hold back in purchasing "yet another contour product".  Because seriously, I don't want to admit that I'm kinda shifting from "Brow products addict" to "Contour addict".

On my most recent visit which was December of last year, I caved in because I saw the lightest shade to be finally in stock!  You know AMW friends, I have this special requirement for ALL my contouring products...I can't explain it here but I just knew in my heart if I see them on pan --- no need for swatching...I just knew they will work...some kinda a "calling"  #AngCheesy 

Tony Moly Cheektone Contour Duo in shade CT02 

(their lightest shade in Contour Duo,

 they also have Highlighting Duo available btw)

Php398.00

Maybelline V-Face Duo Powder by FaceStudio Review

Hi AMW Friends!  How's the contour-thing going on by your side?

I have been a master-contour and highlight girl for the year 2016!  I am claiming 2016 to make myself look slim --- not through exercise of course :P

I recently tested Maybelline V-Face Duo Powder, I love to contour using powder because that's the easiest!  And here's a funny story --- Kyle's school guard went up to me and said: "You look different, there's something different with your face"  And he's pointing out to "surgery" and I just laughed and said: "Natural beauty!"  Then I realized, it was the Maybelline V-Face Duo Powder that I have been using for the past month!  I hope he's not reading this, and he shouldn't! :P

Maybelline V-Face Duo Powder Says ---

Achieve gorgeous definition easily with this Face Studio V-Face Duo Powder from Maybelline. Create and emphasize the dimensions of your bone structure with this two-tone powder. 

Shades: Light Medium, Medium Dark

Top Contouring Picks from Sephora

So you've probably seen me posted this on my Social Media Accounts.  I was so inspired to create a special blog post for this because I was asked so many times about the 3 Contour/Highlight Powders I got from Sephora.  

First things first, I shopped these online and they were delivered straight to my doorstep in less than 2 weeks.  All the products were bubble-wrapped properly and I got everything in good condition.  So kudos to Sephora team for that.

My picks from Sephora ranging from below Php1,000, below Php2,000 and below Php3,000.