You can apply your foundation with a sponge or makeup brush. If you use a brush, apply the foundation in circular motions throughout your face. If you use a sponge, use soft, patting motions to apply.
Try a powder highlight designed for dark skin. The formula you use should have warm gold, copper, or chestnut undertones. To cover up dark circles under your eyes, opt for a concealer in a deep orange tone. [3] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.
You can also feel around on your face until you find the indent on your cheeks. Highlight the top of the cheekbone above this indentation in a diagonal sweep.
Apply two isosceles triangular shapes just below your eyes. The large base of the triangles should be under your eyes, and the point should fall downwards in line with your nose. Doing this will slim the appearance of your nose, though it may also draw attention to it. Highlight along the top of your cheekbone, just above where you placed your blush. [5] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020. Draw a thin line down the bridge of your nose. Place a dot in the center of your chin or skip it, your preference. Draw a line under your eyebrows that follows the natural curve of your brows. Draw four lines of concealer on your forehead like a sun, radiating from the above the space in between your eyebrows. Skip this if you’d like to deemphasize your forehead.
Draw a dark line down each of your cheekbones, close to the triangles you drew below your eyes. If you want to make your forehead look smaller, use a cooler-toned color on the sides of your temples and right at your hairline. Make sure you start the color in your hairline so it looks natural. [7] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020. Apply a vertical line on either side of the nose to narrow it. Draw two more diagonal lines above the lines on your forehead. Keep the lines parallel. The higher lines should stretch downward until they almost connect with the lines on your cheekbones. Draw two slanted lines on your chin on either side of the highlighted lines. Apply the contouring shade to your jawline if you’d like to make your jaw more prominent.
If you are using a brush, use gentle pressure and light circular motions to blend your highlight.
You should use a separate brush or makeup sponge to blend the contouring makeup. If you do not have a separate makeup sponge, clean the first under running water and let it dry before you continue blending.
It can take a long time to contour, which is why most people do not contour on a day-to-day basis. Be patient and keep blending until your makeup looks smooth. Do not be surprised if this takes a long time. If needed, pause to clean excess makeup off of your sponge or brush while blending. Use a brush cleaner and dab the edge of your tool with a tissue.
