How to Contour with Makeup

Sure, we all use makeup to enhance our favorite features, but have you ever tried using it to contour the face to slim or enhance certain areas? Whether you want to accentuate your cheekbones or slim the nose, you can easily use bronzing powder to add depth to the facial structure. If it is your first time using bronzing powder to accentuate parts of the face, don't worry - you can use just a little bit of color to add depth until you feel more comfortable with shading and contouring. Here are a few ways you can enhance the beautiful features of your face:

Apply Foundation -- Foundation is perfect for covering uneven pigmentation in the skin, and it works to give your face a blank canvas for shading and contouring certain areas of the face. Create a flawless finish by either applying foundation with a stippling brush, such as the Pro Stippling Brush #44 from the Sephora Collection, or moisten a cosmetic sponge with water and then apply foundation to the skin with the damp sponge.

Bronzer - A matte bronzer, such as Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer, adds enough color to the skin to create depth, without looking too streaky. Avoid overly shimmery products, as it won't look as natural during the daytime. With a large brush, add a small amount of color to the bristles and then begin applying it to the face. It is better to build the color up, rather than add too much in the beginning.

Application - Start applying bronzer underneath the cheekbones, and make sure to get the color from the hairline to just under the apples of the cheeks in a wedge shape. Add a small amount of bronzer to the temples to minimize a wide forehead or slim the nose by applying a sheer application of bronzer to each side of the nose.

Highlight - Illuminate parts of the face with highlighting cream, which will contrast nicely with the bronzed areas. Dab a cream, such as Benefit's Watt's Up, to the round parts of the cheek, underneath the arch of your brow and the center of the eyelids. Accentuate the lips by placing a dot of the highlighter right in the Cupid 's bow.

Bronzer and highlighter are easy to use and can really make a difference in your look. Use the two products together throughout the year to create a natural, beautiful appearance or to minimize areas that you feel are too wide. Remember that less is more, so always start out with a small amount of bronzer and add more later, if necessary.