Good evening! Sorry this is coming to you much later than I anticipated. Life. That’s what happened. You know how that goes. So let’s get to it!
Growing up in my early years of makeup wearing I was completely against anything like blush or bronzer. Anything that added any sort of extra color to my face was off limits. Oh if that young Corrine only knew what she was missing out on. Fast forward to now and I am all about Contouring and bronzing + highlighting my face!
Here’s the deal. When we put foundation all over our faces, yes we are creating an even skin tone and foundation for our makeup, but we are also covering up any natural sculpting of our faces. When I saw it that way, I totally jumped on the band wagon!
If I put foundation on my face, I almost always contour, even if just a little.
Now when I say contour, there are different levels of intensity. When I’m headed out to the grocery store I’m not going to contour like I’m headed out for date night or a photo shoot. To me there is a difference. That’s why I really like the makeup that I have because I can mix and change things up to fit my needs.
First let’s talk about contouring/bronzer. I don’t even know if I’m using the right terms so there’s that. I am not a professional makeup artist, so this is just what works for me! I follow the 3 method for my face. I take my bronzer or darker colors and create a 3 on the outer edge of my face. Forehead/hairline, down the temple, underneath the cheek bone, and then don’t forget the jawline. Then I add a little on the sides of my nose to create a skinnier nose.
There. Now I have a face again! The point of the bronzer for me is to add in that color that shapes and chisels out my face to give the effect of shadows. Higher cheek bones and skinnier noses, okay!
Next lets talk highlighter. Again, I was a little hesitant to try a highlighter. I felt like it was a little to obnoxious, but boy was I wrong. Like the bronzer gives you shadows, well the highlighter highlights the places you need some light! I apply on the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. My favorite place to highlight is my cupids bow (the middle of your upper lip). That’s it!
I use my Tarte Shape Tape for my under eyes, nose, chin, and sometimes the space between my cheekbone and jaw. These areas I will set with a setting powder, some call this baking!
My biggest advice for contouring is blending. Make sure you blend. I use two different brushes. My blush brush for my bronzer and then either my finger or this inexpensive highlighter brush for highlighting. Start with a little product and build up. Less is more at first. If you think you need more you can always add more!
I prefer powder over creams mostly because my face can get oily so powders wear better. I absolutely love my Anastasia Beverley Hills Pallet. It has all the colors you need + it can be used so many different ways!! I have a highlight reel on my Instagram if you want to see how I use it!
My most recent new favorite is the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer. I get the color bronzed and it is so smooth. It blends really well and smells amazing! I also got a new highlighter set and it is beautiful.
If I didn’t answer your questions, please feel free to ask!! I will be uploading a tutorial over on Instagram, @corrine_monique , tomorrow!!
XO,
Corrine Monique
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