CeeJaye's BeYOUty Corner: Contouring (#AllThingsBeYOUty)

So, by request I was asked to break down contouring & highlighting. Ya’ll aren’t playing HUH? Well, here is my attempt to deliver. Hopefully this helps:

Contouring 101:

After you have applied foundation, notice that your face is a bit “off?” That's because you’ve created a blank “flat” canvas.  Contouring  & highlighting adds the dimension that foundation removes. Contouring with dark shading pushes an area away and Highlighting in a lighter shade to pulls area towards the light. This technique creates the illusion of a stronger jawline, more chiseled cheeks, and a slimmer face & has been an artist staple for decades.

Try it!

The easiest way to get started perfecting this technique is by drawing a loose “E” on each side of your face to contour and the letter :C” on each side of your eyes. Dass it. Simple right? Lets get started… 

TOOLS:

• Cream Foundation — Unless you’re an aspiring MUA, there isn’t a need to buy a contouring palette. Its pointless & you’ll be irritated that you spent extra money on something you only use ONE shade of. Instead, find a cream foundation that is at least 4 shades darker than your foundation.
• A Flat-headed Foundation Brush — this really presses the cream into the skin and does all the important stuff. Don’t wan’t to spend a lot of mula? Elf makes great beginner brushes for $1 -$3.
• Blush/Contour Brush — the best brush to blend cream foundation or bronzer is a natural-bristled round-headed fluffy brush that is densely packed. (think Kabuki brush)
• Highlighting Cream — Highlighting cream is PACKED with light reflectors that will literally snatch that natural & artificial light to the areas applied & give your skin a healthy glow. Yes, you want to GLOW not SHINE….. so a lil does go a really long way. I’m literally OBSESSED with NARS Laguna for brown skinned, and Copacabana for fairer skinned beauties.
• Angled Contour Brush — I love Sephora’s contour brush, however ELF works just fine!

STEPS:

1. After you’ve applied your foundation, dip your brush into the darker foundation. Remove any excess.
2. Start at the middle of the top of your hairline and begin the letter E by tracing along the perimeter down to your temple.
3. Suck in your cheeks to see exactly where your cheekbones are then continue the middle prong of the letter E by sweeping the brush from your temple to just underneath the cheekbone (to hollow it out).
4. Go back along the underside of your cheekbone to the ear then down to your jawline. Finish the E by sweeping the brush just on and underneath the jawline.
5. Repeat on the other side.
6. Remove off any excess on a tissue or the back of your hand and use the same brush to fill up with the cream highlighter.
7. Draw the letter C by holding the brush in the middle of your forehead just above your brow and outlining the eye all the way to your temple then down under your eye just above your cheekbone. This will pull that area forward and really highlight your eyes.
8. Repeat on the other side.
9. Take the dry blush brush and go back over the E’s and C’s in swirling motions to really blend it into the skin. Don’t be afraid to use your hands the warmth of your fingertips will help melt makeup onto your skin and helps for better blending!
10. Finish by grabbing the angled contour brush and going over the E with the bronzing powder and the C with the highlighting powder.

ALL DONE! Let me know how your contour/highlighting comes out! Hashtag your looks to #AllThingsBEYOUty #ceejayecontour on Instagram. Who knows? I JUST may send the best look a lil' something in the mail! ^_^

Until Next Time BeYOUties!

-Ceej

Instagram: @ceejaye_the_mua