how to put contours perfectly...part one

Part 1

Getting the Right Products

1. 
   1
   Start with foundation the color of your skin. Using a foundation the same color as your skin evens your skin tone and provides a base you can build upon when you contour using lighter and darker shades. Contouring your face without first applying foundation is more difficult, since skin tends to be uneven in color. Your face could end up looking patchy instead of smooth and contoured.^[1]

   • Use a foundation composed of the same material as the other products you'll be using; for example, use all cream products or all powder products, rather than mixing the two. Mixing textures can result in a caked-on look.
   • If you're having trouble figuring out what color to get, try matching your foundation to the skin on your neck. Your neck skin tends to be a slightly paler than your face, and matching your foundation to your neck will ensure your face doesn't end up looking darker when you're finished doing your makeup.
2. 2
   Get foundation a few shades lighter than your skin. Facial contouring consists of highlighting places you want to stand out, and shading places you want to recede. For your highlighting product, you need foundation that's about two shades paler than your base foundation.^[2]

   • Don't go much lighter than two shades, or your makeup won't look natural.
   • You can use a lighter concealer or eye shadow in place of foundation. Just remember to make sure all your products are either cream or powder; don't mix the two.
3. 
   3
   Choose a foundation a few shades darker than your skin. The darker tone will be used to shade the parts of your face that you want to draw attention away from. You'll be creating strategic shadows that make your cheekbones appear sharper and your chin more narrow.

   • Don't go darker than two shades below your normal skin tone, or your makeup won't look natural.
   • Bronzer, darker eye shadow or darker concealer work as well as foundation. Just remember to make sure all your products are either cream or powder; don't mix the two.
4. 
   4
   Get a good blending brush. Since your face will be wearing several different shades, it's important to get a good blending brush. If the different colors aren't well-blended your makeup will look unnatural. You want a big, bushy foundation brush or blending brush, rather than a smaller brush. Go for one with natural bristles to leave the softest-looking finish.

   • If you don't have a brush, the next best tool to use is your fingers. The warmth from your fingers will help the makeup blend smoothly. This is especially useful when you're working with cream foundation.