How To Contour and Highlight Your Face Like A Total Pro

You totally got this!

INSTAGRAM/@KYLIEJENNER DESIGN BY DANA TEPPER

Let’s be real, there may be a billion beauty tutorials out there, but learning how to contour and highlight can still be really tricky. So if you’re still struggling to achieve that Kylie Jenner look, no worries! Beauty Smartie Maria Gomez is going to walk you through the entire process, from beginning to end. She’ll explain exactly what makeup brushes to use, what kind of colors to choose, and where to place the products on your face.

STEP 1: CONTOUR YOUR FACE.

Before getting started, make sure to lock your foundation in place by applying translucent powder. Feel free to work with whichever contour product you most feel comfortable with, but for this tutorial, Maria is using a powder contour. Tip: When selecting a color for your contour, go with a color that’s more on the neutral or cool side. That way, the color helps mimic a shadow. Using a contour brush, apply the color into your temples, working in circular and sweeping motions.

Make sure to work some of the product into your hairline to avoid any harsh lines. As for your cheekbones, Maria says the general rule of thumb is to play the color underneath them. Start by angling your brush at the top of your ear and moving it toward the corner of your mouth. Keep in mind, the closer you get to the edge of your mouth, the sharper your face will seem.

If you’d like to contour other parts of your face, don’t worry about switching brushes. For example, to contour your nose, simply hold the bristles together for a more defined application. Then, create two parallel lines down your nose and into the creases of your eyelids. Again, totally option, but you can also add contour along your chin area to create more of a “V” shape.

STEP 2: CHOOSE THE PERFECT HIGHLIGHTER.

When choosing a highlight shade, Maria suggests picking one that has the same undertone and is one to two shades lighter than your foundation.

For this step, you’ll want to use a more precise contour brush. Place the color on the center of your forehead, the top of the cheekbones, and lightly down the jawline. And if you contoured part of your nose and or any other part of your face, place the color in between the shaded areas.

STEP 3: APPLY BRONZER.

Whether you’re looking for carved-out facial features, or a just-out-of-the-sun glow, bronzer does it all. For a subtle summertime look, sweep a shimmery shade from your temples, down below your cheek bones, then bring it under your chin in a 3-shaped motion. Instant beach glow! If you want something more noticeable, dust a bit onto the tip of your nose, where the sun would normally hit.

STEP 4: FINISH THE LOOK WITH A BIT OF BLUSH.

Applying blush is the one-step trick to giving your face major dimension. To fake a stunning flush, grab a pink or (my personal fave) orange blush, then use a fluffy brush to work it back from the apples of your cheeks to your hairline. From top to bottom, your cheeks should read: highlighter, blush, contour.