No one contours and highlights like Kim Kardashian, like she is the Queen Mother of the technique. If she released a contour kit today, it will sell out instantly, because herself and her makeup team know their onions as far as contouring and highlighting are concerned. So don’t be surprised if a Kim Kardashian Kontour Kit pops anytime from now. Kim I know you Google yourself, so if you are reading this, get in there and cash in.
Now this makeup technique has been around forever, we just didn’t have a name for it until some years ago. Thanks to social media and reality TV, contouring is now a big deal. Just like weaves and cornrows have been around for centuries, only for the Kardashians to think they discovered it by naming it Boxer Braids, same thing with contour and highlight.
The simple definition of contouring and highlighting is shading areas where you would like to reshape or define, with a product (could be a contour kit, blush, foundation or concealer) that is 2 shades darker than the natural skin tone, to contour and another that is 2 shades lighter than the natural skin tone to highlight. Areas like the nose, cheekbones, forehead and chin, are the usual spots. Highlighting balances contouring by drawing attention to the parts of your face that naturally catch the light, like the top of your cheekbones, around the eyes, chin and forehead.
Back in the day, this makeup skill was done with foundations, blush and concealers, but now we have the contour kits around. I am no pro, but I still contour with my blush, foundation and concealer, I have various shades of them, so it works perfectly for me. However some makeup artists and celebrities are against the contour and highlight technique, they see it as unnatural. Bobbi Brown does not hide the fact that she is against the technique, as she sees it as unnatural.
“I don’t get this whole contouring thing. I think I’m probably the only makeup artist who feels this way. And I know some of my artists contour with my products and don’t tell me about it. But contouring just says that there’s something wrong with the way you look. I like to enhance natural beauty and not try to change someone.” – Bobbi Brown
I see where she is coming from, many fo us have overboard with the contour and highlight technique, we are hardly recognisable these days. However, I do like it when it is done correctly and in moderation.
Here are 5 contour and highlight tips I have learnt along the way –
Foundations, Blushes & Concealers Do The Job
Foundations and concealesr do the job perfectly. I use them in various shades, for various parts of my makeup, and I have had no reason to cough out more money for a contour kit. I think the whole contour kit marketing is a ploy to make us spend more money buying a different version of what we have already in our makeup bags.
It is All in The Blend
The perfect contour and highlight would look a mess without the right blending. At the moment, I use a blending brush and a regular cheap sponge to blend, but I am contemplating getting one of those fancy blending sponges, I see around. Have you use any blending sponge you can vouch for?
Contouring The Cheekbones
If you are not sure where to contour with the cheekbones, try sucking in your cheeks, to see exactly where to put the contour line.
Open Your Eyes
Add a dot of a cream highlighter or concealer in the inner corner of the eyes and blend in. Then add a dab of cream highlighter or concealer on the brow bone and in a V-shape on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and blend in.
Don’t Forget Your Neck
Don’t forget your neck when blending in. Make sure the tone fits in with your face.
What do you think of contouring and highlighting? Do you have any tips to share?
I really wish I could contour properly, these tips are really helpful though!
Glad they are Hayley xo
Great tips! Blending is definitely key. I also agree that contour kits are just a marketing ploy – I manage just fine with blusher and highlighter 🙂
Jess xo
http://www.theindigohours.co.uk
Yeap massive marketing ploy. Thanks Jess xo
Funnily enough she did release a contour kit once upon a time. I remember the Kardashian make up shop in Liverpool, it didn’t sell well over here and I think it’s closed down now sadly! I love the look of contouring but I just never have the time.
Really? It must have been a massive flop because I never heard of it. How ironic..
I really need to YouTube some tutorials when it comes to contouring as I am clueless x
Luckily there are so many cool tutorials on there x
I have never even attempted to contour – I have one foundation and that is it. I’m planning my first girls night out for over 2 years soon so I could learn for that and look super hot! H x
Yea loads of YouTube tutorials to learn from x
I have tried contouring before, I don’t even know how to do it. But your tips are guite helpful. Would try it one of these days. Thanks for sharing.
It is quite easy really but the gurus try to make it sound so complicated x
I have to admit I’ve always been scared of trying contouring – I really should give it a try though – after all if I go wrong I can just wash it off 😉 x
Yea practice makes perfect and I love playing with makeup anyways x
I attempt to contour but I don’t go for a dramatic contour. Subtle is more my style!
Subtle is best Leanne x
I love a good bit of contouring and have been doing it for years but its great that its now everywhere as getting kits are so easy. I use Sleek’s kit it costs like £7 and is a steal.
£7 is a mssive steal x
Great tips! I’ve been contouring for years but I never go quite as full on as Kim K. It definitely wouldn’t suit me!
– Elodie x
http://www.elle-yeah.com
Yea it won’t suit me either x
It is all about blending. It worries me when I see the Instagram over the top conturing and I am like, wow.
And so true, Kim will sell out in 2 minutes if she makes a contour kit. I think it may happen in the future for her though.
Mojisola
http://www.mojintouch.com
Yea it is. Someone mentioned on here about her having a contour kit ages ago and it was a flop. Didn’t hear of it though.
Brilliant post with great tips, I need to bookmark this and see if i can do it.
Glad you like this post Melanie x
Oh this is a whole world I am unfamiliar with – Thanks so much for the tips. Especially to remember the neck, I wish someone would tell teenage girls the same!
Lol..I know right x
You are defo right about some people over doing the contour! I like that there are makeup artists that don’t contour it really does change the face a lot if done with a kit etc! http://Www.mylifeinrosetintedglasses.wordpress.com
Yea contouring in moderation is ace
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