Sculpting Your Look: Contouring vs. Bronzing

Contouring is a hot makeup technique these days thanks to the likes of Kim Kardashian and others following the trend. Contouring refers to the makeup technique used to create looks with high cheeks, slim noses, huge lips, and defined sleek jaw lines. While it seems to be an on-trend makeup technique, contouring has actually always been a part of a makeup application. Every day, in every way you apply your makeup you are actually contouring.

Contouring refers to a technique used to define, enhance and sculpt the structure of the face or other body parts, such as enhancing cleavage or legs. As makeup artists, we are trained and skilled at knowing how to enhance the natural beauty of your face, often by creating the illusion of enhanced or diminished features using light and shadow. The proper word for it is 'chiarioscuro'which is an Italian term which literally means 'light-dark'.

Contouring doesn't only apply to the facial structure, it applies to applying makeup to other parets of the face. Fot examnpl, when we apply eyeshadow we are contouring, when we apply lipstick, lip-liner and a glossy shine in the center to make them pouty and pop, that's a contour. Creating a brow highlight to enhance the brow bone applies too. Any technique when we are utilizing the placement of light and shadow to enhance or diminish a feature is contouring.

The many products on the market today can make it all quite confusing for non-professionals to know what to choose to achieve the result they desire. My clients often ask me what the difference between bronzer and contour is, because they seem to be the same thing marketed differently. They all look like a form of brown colored powder or cream in some sort of compact or palette. What's the difference and why would we need both?

While both bronzing and contouring can be used to add depth and dimension to a makeup look, the difference between the two products and how we use them is their purpose. The truth is, bronzing your skin and contouring your face isn’t the same. The two techniques are totally different in both in purpose and application and really do require different kinds of products.

About Contouring

The goal of contouring is to help enhance the look of light on your face, making certain features appear more prominent while also creating the illusion of shadows on your face. The shadows are intended to sculpt, define, and restructure the face, as I mentioned earlier by creating more prominent looking cheekbones, a stronger, more chiseled jawline, slender nose and longer slimmer face etc. Contouring is used to transform the structural appearance of your face without any invasive procedures.

What To Look for in a Contouring Product

Your contour product is used to diminish a feature, therefore needs to create a natural shadow. A contouring product ideally should always be completely matte with cool undertones such as grey or beige. It should not reflect light or create a warm glow. Anything orange or golden will simply muddy the look and won’t resemble a natural shadow.

About Bronzing

Bronzer is used to create a sun-kissed glow and enhance a tan. Bronzing makeup can be applied on the high point of your face where the sunlight would naturally hit, and is useful for lightly darkening those areas of the skin without masking it and adding warmth. Bronzer is a great way to make your skin look radiant and healthy and is intended to warm up your complexion and give it a sun-kissed look. While your contour products can temporarily create the illusion of a more structured complexion, bronzer can make you look as if you’ve spent the day soaking up some sun!

Your Perfect Bronzer

Bronzing products come in different formulas: gels, creams, powders, and liquids. Some products can be used all over your body, as well as your face. You can choose a matte bronzer or a shimmery one. A matte bronzer is better if you want a natural finish, and shimmer creates a dewier wet appearance to the skin, a look typical of hot summer days. Use your matte product to lightly define your features and warm up your skin tone, and your shimmer for a sun-kissed, radiant finish.

Bronzers are typically warm toned to create the illusion of a warm, glowing appearance on the skin and is why it is not recommended for contouring. A matte bronzer may look like a good contour shade, but it's more likely to warm your skin and not create the cool-toned shadows you want. I also do not recommend using a matte contour in place of a matte bronzer as the cooler undertone of the product can end up making your face looking grubby instead of glowing and that is NOT a look we want right!?

The A-List Beauty has a beautiful selection of shimmering powder bronzers and luminizers, liquid highlight and cream contour and highlight sticks in our professional makeup kits The A-List Beauty BASICS and GLAM. Check the kits and lessons out to learn more about how to choose, use and create the looks you love with our products. Please contact me and let me know if you have any questions about the techniques, lessons or products discussed into today's blog.

Ashleigh