How Do You Balance Contour and Highlight?
When applied correctly, contour and highlight add dimension to the face and help your features look more striking. Contouring and highlighting balance the face through the play of light.
The illusion you create on your face with contour and highlighter products is really an imitation of how light naturally reflects. The goal isn't to show more or less light on your face. The goal is to catch and bring out your natural high points.
Why Are Contour and Highlight Applied Together?
Your face doesn't only catch light, and it isn't only in shadow. A natural contoured look needs both. Imagine only highlighting your face or only leaving it in shadow. Your face would look tired or heavier than it is. For balance, contour and highlight need to be applied together.
What Is the Difference Between Contour and Highlight?
Understanding the difference between contour and highlight is very simple. With contour you create shadow; with highlight you bring out a luminous look. The difference between contour and highlight is like black and white. Let's take a closer look at how they differ:
| Contour | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Adds depth to your features. | Brings certain areas of the face forward. |
| Comes in brown shades. | Comes in pearly, luminous shades. |
| Applied under the cheekbones, along the sides of the nose, on the forehead and jawline, and under the lower lip. | Applied on top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, on the inner corners of the eyes, on the brow bone, in the center of the forehead, and above the upper lip. |
| Applied after foundation. | Applied after contour. |
How Should You Balance Contour and Highlight for Your Face Shape?
| Face Shape | Where to Contour | Where to Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Round Face | A defined line under the cheekbones, Sides of the face, Hairline, Jawline | Bridge of the nose, Center of the forehead, Tip of the chin |
| Oval Face | Under the cheekbones, Hairline, Jawline | Top of the cheekbones, Bridge of the nose, Brow bone, Cupid's bow |
| Square Face | Under the cheekbones, Temples, Jawline | Under the eyes, Cupid's bow, Tip of the chin, Center of the forehead |
Which Shades Should You Choose for Contour?
Before deciding on a contour shade, figure out your skin tone correctly. The shade of the product you use will change for each skin tone:
- If you have fair skin: Cool browns
- If you have deep skin: Warm browns
- If you have olive or medium skin: Warm browns close to bronze
Where and How Much Highlighter Should You Apply?
Once you know the goal of highlighter isn't to make your whole face shiny, it gets easier to give your face a fresh, natural look. Highlighter goes on the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, the bridge of the nose, the center of the chin, the center of the forehead, the inner corners of the eyes, and the cupid's bow.
- For daytime: A single touch is enough.
- For nighttime: You can build it up in a few layers.
How do you apply highlighter? Once you see where light falls on your face, you can apply it to those areas with light taps using a brush or your ring finger.
Alix Avien Highlighter Picks:
| Alix Avien Liquid Highlighter | Alix Avien Powder Highlighter | Alix Avien Baked Highlighter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Fluid, oil-free, and weightless. Dries quickly. Hydrating. Can be mixed with other face makeup products. |
Powder formula made with Jet Mill Technology. Doesn't clump. Lightweight. Blends smoothly and evenly. |
Baked formula. Ultra-fine, lightweight texture. Can be used wet or dry. |
How do you contour and highlight for a natural look? When both are balanced, they add depth and a natural feel to the face. So what should you keep in mind when contouring? Identify where shadows fall. For highlighter, follow the points where light hits.
- For a balanced look, one key tip is deciding the order in which you apply contour and highlighter.
- After applying foundation, apply contour, then highlighter right after.
- So the highlighter doesn't get lost in the contour, blend the highlighter into the contour with light taps.
- As long as you use products suited to your skin type and tone and apply them correctly, you can achieve a balanced look.