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Mastering the basics of contouring is essential when it comes to creating the perfect base for your makeup look. A great foundation complemented with a soft contour adds both color and depth to your whole face. The best part is that contouring can be easily achieved if you’re using the right products.
In my most recent trip to Walmart, I discovered a few new Maybelline products, which I found to be perfect for creating the right base and a soft contour look in minutes. Not to mention, they are super budget-friendly, and convenient for those of us who are constantly on the go. The products I’m talking about are the Maybelline Master Contour Palette, Dream Velvet Foundation and Dream Blender. They work great for an everyday look, or for a special night out (I’m thinking Valentine’s Day!). So keep reading to learn how to create the perfect soft contour!
Soft Contouring Tutorial
STEP 1. Start with a good base using your favorite foundation and concealer. For this tutorial, I used the Dream Velvet foundation and applied it with a dampened Dream Blender (you can also mist it with setting spray for a smoother application).
What made me decide to go with the Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation? For one, I’m loving its silky-smooth, gel-whipped formula, plus it provides a nice matte finish and medium coverage. I also like to use the Maybelline Dream Velvet Blender to apply the foundation on my skin. It’s a handy little tool because 1) it’s re-usable (just clean it with a makeup brush shampoo, or regular hand soap, after each use), and 2) it has a built-in handle for a totally mess-free application.
STEP 2. Apply an illuminating concealer under the eyes in a triangle shape, and then blend it in with the Dream Blender. (The blender’s size, shape, and tip makes it perfect for getting in close to the eye corners!)
And now that we have our foundation and concealer done, let’s move on to the contouring steps using the Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour Compact. I love this palette. It’s an easy-to-use 3-step face contouring kit that gives you everything you need in one palette, including a bronzer, blush and highlighter. You don’t need to buy each product separately, making it extremely cost-effective too.
STEP 3. Apply the contour first, just under the cheekbone. I recommend using a medium-sized and slightly rounded brush when applying contour. Always make sure to hit your cheekbones, as well as your temples, hair line, and jawline. (Hint: If you don’t know where to apply the contour on your cheekbones, feel for the hollows and press the brush into that area, sweeping upwards.)
STEP 4. Next, apply the blush just above the contour. Run it just above your cheekbone and your contour color, overlapping the shades slightly. Use a larger, fluffier brush to create a softer look. Then, use a blending brush to lightly blend the blush in with the contour. Work in quick, light circles while you move the brush from mid-cheek upwards toward your ear.
STEP 5. Apply highlighter to top of cheeks. Use smaller tapered brush and move it in a C-shape from the ends of your brows to about mid-way down your cheekbones. You can also apply highlighter on the bridge of your nose and under the brows for some extra pop.
Need to make adjustments? If you find you’ve applied to much color and want to tone it down, grab some powder foundation and apply it evenly over your cheek area. Or, grab a blending brush and continue blending out the colors to reduce their intensity. Of course, if you want a more dramatic look, simply layer on more color in the area(s) that you want to enhance!
Here’s my finished base. The end result is even, smooth skin with some added depth and color on the cheeks. Combined with some eyeliner and lipstick, it creates a simple, everyday look!
A smooth, matte foundation combined with a soft contour creates the base for all my ‘Looks to Love’ this Valentine’s Day. Stay tuned for my next tutorial where I take this simple everyday contouring look and turn it up a notch for a romantic date-night! In the meantime, be sure to check out Maybelline for more great products that you can use to create your own Valentine’s Day look!
Is contouring part of your everyday routine?
