Thread: How to choose a colour for contouring?

Next on my list of beauty techniques to experiment with: contouring.

I have the hang of using highlighter on my cheekbones and brow bone, and now I'd like to try using a darker colour to contour the hollows of my cheeks, etc.

How do you choose the right product and colour for the job? I tried using a powder bronzer I have, but it looks a bit ashy on my skin. Now I'm thinking that perhaps I should use a powder from the same line as my current foundation but a shade or two darker.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm still struggling along with this makeup business.

Same skin tone, about 2 shades darker than skin color.

I prefer to use cream because I have better control and it blends more naturally for countouring purposes but use whatever you feel you can manage.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Same skin tone, about 2 shades darker than skin color.

I prefer to use cream because I have better control but use whatever you feel you can manage.

Azhia knows best. I would do this too - exactly.

Now that I've laid off on the tanning and started to embrace my fair and lovely skin, I'd say we have similar coloring. And I know you in person, too

What works nicely for me is MAC blush in Harmony. It's a pretty, buff kinda color, not pinkish or anything. Very foolproof! Of course, you can get this at the CT Post Mall. Ask for Angelina at the MAC counter at Macy's, because she is amazing, has a nice eye for color, and has fielded many of my stupid questions on makeup with some awesome, no-fail great advice ..g.:

Big no-no to bronzer as contour. I used to do this too, and learned that the sparkles in bronzer can actually confuse the eye by bringing the hollow of the cheekbone forward instead of receding it.

Yup, I'm still going through Girl School. But with a little patience and a little asking around, I'm like, in my senior year now. So there's hope for us makeup-challenged BDers!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Big no-no to bronzer as contour. I used to do this too, and learned that the sparkles in bronzer can actually confuse the eye by bringing the hollow of the cheekbone forward instead of receding it.

That's just a big no-no to any sparkly powder as a contour. But there are matte bronzers, which would work well. In fact, I prefer matte bronzers to bronzers with sparkle, anyway. Bronzers are designed to make you look tanned ... folks don't glitter when they tan!

I don't choose, I just grab my MAC Strada. It's foolproof (but then again, I'm not exactly a makeupartist, so what do I know? *g*).

Originally Posted by kemintiri

I don't choose, I just grab my MAC Strada. It's foolproof (but then again, I'm not exactly a makeupartist, so what do I know? *g*).

"Strada" is great! I love Strada! ..g.:

Originally Posted by MakedaMaysa

That's just a big no-no to any sparkly powder as a contour. But there are matte bronzers, which would work well. In fact, I prefer matte bronzers to bronzers with sparkle, anyway. Bronzers are designed to make you look tanned ... folks don't glitter when they tan!

"Laguna" by Nars is my favorite, for this reason! All it does is make you look tan. I never quite understood why soooooo many bronzers, even high-end ones, have glitter or shimmer...

Light refraction. It has its uses.

Mac made contour/ highlight duo sets a while back. They were limited edition, but if you can't get hold of one, I third the strada rec. Contouring makes a huge difference to my face.

So I bought a cream foundation two shades darker than my skin colour and have been playing around with it. I think it looks reasonably natural on my skin -- so far so good!

Strada is apparently a greyish shade, and greys and pastels tend to look ashen on me. I'll have to stop by the MAC counter next time I'm out at the mall and see what they suggest. Thanks for the recommendation on Angelina, Satin!