Contours and Highlights: Yours Guide to - Step 3

  Contouring the face can make a huge difference to your appearance. With each high and low light you are adding a whole new dimension to the face and have the ability to accentuate your best features. Contouring involves three main stages: highlighting, contouring and blush. However, in an attempt to keep the information overload to a minimum; I thought I would blog about these stages separately.

This is my third and final stage, so we'll be focused on a bit'a blush!

There are three main types:

 

Powder - has the most pigment, but also sits on top of your skin, and can make dryness and blemishes more noticeable. When applying powder, never use your fingers as it is essential to have the ability to with your blush as you go.

Cream - creates a more stained, dewy look with less pigment than powder. Cream blush is best applied with your fingers since our skin has natural oils which help distribute the colour evenly

Liquid - tends to be very sheer. Liquids can be combined with you everyday foundation for an all-over glow, or used as a replacement for a highlighter. They are best applied with a synthetic blush or fingers for a natural look.

 

(Shimmer Vs. Matte: shimmery blushes can be a pretty way to add a little glow to your skin, but since sparkly cheeks don't occur naturally; they're best paired with minimal makeup or kept at bay until a night out. Matte will always have a more organic look, and can be applied with a highlighter to balance out and control the areas you want to glow.)

 

Choosing Colour: to determine your most natural 'flush' look inside your bottom lip and choose a shade closest to that visible. Generally the below skin tone/colour combinations work well..

 

Lighter skin - light pinks, peaches & corals

Medium skin - saturated brights, deeper corals & mauves

Darker skin - deep reds, oranges & purples



Picking a Brush: For powder, take a small dense brush: this allows for even application and will also give you the mobility needed to build up a colour, instead of accidentally applying too much with the first swipe!

Application: a huge mistake people make is starting on the apple of your cheek; instead focus on the section right in front of your ear through to the middle of the cheek. With a light touch, sweep in oval motions, concentrating on the area of your upper cheek bone.

My Favourites: I swear by Nars brushes, and the 'Mie Kabuki Brush' (pictured right) is no exception! It's lightweight black wisteria handle adds a little heritage to an ancient treasure, and is also an invaluable trick to delicate application. My favourite blush is MAC's 'Peaches' I would definitely refer to this particular shade as a 'summer blush' as it leaves you looking fresh-faced and sun kissed. What more could you ask for, eh?


Melanie
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