The best part about makeup is that it can be completely experimental. Whether you want to go full glam, minimalistic, or even shave a few years off your face, how you appear to the world is completely up to you. It’s all about feeling–and looking–your best!
In fact, contouring is a great makeup technique that allows you to define, enhance, and sculpt the natural structure of the face or other body parts (some people even use contouring to make their cleavage look bigger!). According to L’Officiel, contouring was first invented during the Elizabethan era and made modern by drag queens, and then brought to the masses by the Kardashians. Adding shadows and dimension to your face can help enhance your naturally beautiful bone structure by highlighting your cheekbones and thinning out your jawline. Contouring can transform your face for the better by drawing attention away from signs of aging and highlighting your very best features. We spoke with Theresa Novicky, a licensed makeup artist, who gave us some tips for contouring to look younger. Find out more below!
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How to contour your face
When it comes to contouring, you want to make sure you get the right contour that looks great on your skin type and tone. Novicky explains, "I definitely recommend a cream contour it's much more natural you want to use the least amount of powder on the face with mature skin. Also, you want to go 2-3 shades darker than your foundation. You don't want to go too dark." Noted!
Contouring can be intimidating at first but Novciky has some tips to get started. "You want to contour your face in a way that gives you a lift. You can do this by placing your contour a little higher and just slightly under your cheekbone," she continues. "This will lift your face. Also slightly above the jawline to lift that area as well. Less is more with mature skin. So start off really light and add more if you need to." It's especially important to use an angled brush when contouring because it's designed to blend on an angle for powder application. That way you can dramatically lift and sculpt your cheekbones to perfection.
Contour techniques women over 40 should avoid
When used correctly, contouring can take years off of your face! But, just as the right contouring tricks can make you look younger than ever, the wrong makeup tricks could age you instantly. For women over 40, Novicky says, "Avoid powder contours and bronzer as a contour. [The] powder settles into fine lines and wrinkles and bronzer just aren't great for contouring in general. I would suggest keeping makeup minimal and not copying any contour trend from anyone on social media who's 21." What might look elegant on a woman in her 20s, may look aging on a woman in her 40s.
"If you're over 40, you need to lift the face by bringing everything up and using less makeup," she continues. "Remember that lighter shades pull forward and the darker contour pulls back." That way, you can really enhance and sculpt your beautiful natural facial structure.
Overall, while it may seem like magic, contouring doesn't have to be that hard–just a few tips and tricks, some cream, and some setting powder, and you're on your way to looking years younger!
