Contouring gives the illusion that you have this symetircal face that looks almost perfect, it’s a combination of shading and highlighting different parts of your face to get that ideal face shape.
Now the question is why does contouruing look bad on me? Or is there something that I’m doing wrong?
When it comes to contouruing the idea is to reduce the appearance of certain features, for example you wish to make your cheekbone look slimmer you need to know how to reduce that feature and bring forward the cheek bone itself with the makeup, sometimes it can also be the fact that you might not be using the correct product or even the right technique.
So now let’s take a look at each criteria and what you need to know in order to become better at contouring and knowing what works for you.
Not Using The Correct Skincare
When the wrong skincare is applied underneath the makeup it can change the way your makeup looks for the worst, for example, if your skin is dry your skin will more likely be flakey.
When makeup is applied on top of it, the texture could be accentuated by the dryness and you could apply it unevenly. If makeup is applied on top of oily skin types it can cause the makeup to separate. In order for the makeup to apply smoothly its wise to imply a correct skincare regime.
Normal to combination skin: this skin type usually needs a skin care regime that can help balance the pH level of the skin. This will help hydrate the skin while balancing any excess oils.
Dry skin types: needs extra moisturizing to replenish any lost hydration
Oily skin types: needs a skin care regime that is oil free which helps prevent any excess secretion of face oils.
By implementing the correct skincare regime for your skin type it can change the way your contour will apply. You will find your makeup will apply a lot smoother.
Not Using A Primer
If you don’t wear makeup primer underneath your makeup your contour may not last very long. This could be one of the reasons why your contour may disappear throughout the day.
Makeup primers help fill in any textured skin such as large pores and fine lines. You may find that your contour may not apply properly smoothly. Before applying a makeup primer underneath your makeup it can help your contour last longer.
There are different types of makeup primers suitable for the different skin types out there. A primer that has matte finish is better suited for oilier skin types.
A luminous primer is better suited for drier skin types, to help give the skin a more hydrated look. Its best to know what primer is best suited for your skin type so that you get the most out of your face primer.
Contouring Looks Patchy
There are several reasons why contouring may be patchy, the first reason why your contour maybe patchy looking is because of the formulation of the contour. Sometimes when your applying a contour shade to the skin the color may not be pigmented enough. This could make your contour look patchy.
Always swatch your contour shade before purchasing to know what the quality of the product will be like. The second reason why your contour may look patchy Is because of the texture of your skin, as mentioned a proper skin care regime would need to be implemented. Its best to regularly exfoliate the skin especially if you suffer from dry patchy skin and use the correct skincare suited for your skin type.
This will ensure that the skin underneath your contour color is smooth and will allow it to apply a lot smoother, by exfoliating the skin it will avoid your contour shade from sticking to certain parts of the dry patchy skin. Another reason why your contour shade may go patchy is because of the formulation of the contour shade.
Always make sure your contour shade is the same formulation as your foundation because if your using a cream foundation and you apply a powder contour color this may cause the contour to turn patchy. If this is the case then make sure you use the same formulation.
Therefore, if the foundation is a cream foundation then the contour shade should either be a liquid or cream formulation in order for the contour to blend it correctly without it patching up.
Contour Looks Muddy
One of the many reasons why your contour may look muddy is because, it will let your skincare settle in properly before applying your contour shade. When applying skin care on always give it about 20 mins to sink into the skin so that when you apply any makeup on top of it including your contour shade.
If your contour shade is applied on top of your skin when the skin care isn’t sunk into the skin then this will cause your contour to look more muddy and choppy because the surface of the skin isn’t smooth.
When the skin care is mixed in with the makeup it can also change the color of the makeup this is another reason why your skincare should sink into the skin before applying any makeup on top of it.
Contour Looks Grey
Another reason why your contour shade may look bad is because it may look more grey. The reason why your contour shade maybe grey is because you may have bought the wrong undertone for your skin tone. There are three main undertones, there is cool, warm, and neutral.
A cooler undertone usually has a cooler tone in them like blue tones, a warmer skin tone usually has more of a yellow undertone. Neutral undertones usually have both cool and warm undertones in them. If you’re a warmer skin tone and was to wear a cool undertone with your contour you will find that the contour color will look ashy and grey.
It’s best to wear the correct undertone when it comes to choosing your contour shade. One way to determine your skin’s undertone is by looking at your veins. If your veins are bluer then it means your skin undertone is cool and will more likely burn in the sun. If your veins are greener then it means your skin undertone is more on the warm side then your skin will more likely tan.
Wrong Placement Of Contouring
Not knowing where to exactly apply your contour shade can make your contour shade look bad. When applying contour correctly it should always be applied to where your shade would hit your face. Your contour color is usually applied to the hallows of your face. Contour shades are usually applied under the cheekbones and on the sides of the face.
If your planning to sculpt other features on your face then the contour shade will change, like down the bridge of the nose and when applying your eyeshadow on the crease of the eyelids. Sometimes when it comes to applying your contour shade on your face may be different on where your friend will apply the contour shade. This all depends on your face shape, and the ideal face shape to sculpt is the oval face shape.
The following are face shapes and where the contour shades should be applied.
Round face: Contour cheeks, jawline this will help give the illusion that you have an oval shape
Square face shape: The temples, cheeks and jawline is where you would have to contour if you had a square face shape
Heart-shaped face: The temples and cheeks to help get rid of the width of the portion of the face
Pear face shape: Contour cheeks down along your jaw to help minimize the width of this area
Long face shape: Contour the chin the help shorten the face shape.
Not Blending Contour Out Properly
Another reason why your contour may look bad is that the contour shade may not be blended out properly. You never want your contour shade to look streaky or even the lines of the contour shade showing through.
It’s best to blend out the contour shade correctly. This all depends on the formulation of your contour shade. If your contour shade is a cream formulation look at using a beauty blending sponge or a buffing brush to help blend out the formulation.
When it comes to powdered formulations look at using an angled makeup brush these makeup brushes usually will blend out contour shades due to the straight or angled brushes that the bristles may have.
Contouring Under Wrong Lighting
When applying your contour shade make sure you have the correct lighting. If your using a contour shade make sure that you use the right lighting when doing your makeup.
Otherwise, you won’t see the mistakes that you may be making. Such mistakes would be not blending out the contour out properly and applying too much contour on your face. Try your best to do your makeup in natural lighting, this will allow you to see exactly how your makeup looks to everyone else.
Not Setting The Contour
One of the last reasons why your contour may look bad is because you simply didn’t set it. If you don’t set your makeup with setting spray it may not last long and will fade off throughout the day so all that hard work that was put into contouring your face will be a waste of time.
Always make sure you set your makeup which will help your contour last longer, by using a setting spray it will also help your contour shade appear more natural because it will get rid of a cakey makeup look.
Key Takeaways
Depending on the kind of look your going for countoruing will certainly make a difference if its done corectly.
- Having a good skincare is key
- Using the correct products
- Using the right techniques
- Understanding the different face shapes
I really do think that understanding how to contour correctly and having some knowledge of the different face shapes and using the right techniques and products you can avoid your contoruing looking bad, but instead create the look that you desire.