The GreatShape Contour Kit by Jane Iredale is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to contour with an easy-to-use option from a clean makeup brand.  Contouring can sound intimidating, but we have a few tips to help you learn how to make your features pop!  The Contour Kit has matte contour powder, highlighter, and blush in one palette and comes in Warm and Cool shades.

Now that you know the quick stats about the GreatShape Contour Kit, let’s talk about how to use it.

How to Contour with the GreatShape Contour Kit

When contouring and highlighting with the GreatShape Contour Kit, all you have to do is remember three simple steps:

  1. SCULPT your bone structure with the contour powder. This goes anywhere you want to create a shadow.
  2. ILLUMINATE the high points of your face with the powder highlighter to bring out your favorite features.
  3. ENHANCE your cheeks with a hint of blush.

Check out this quick three-step tutorial to see the GreatShape Contour Kit in action!

When should I apply contour?

We recommend applying your contour, highlighter, and blush after you apply your foundation. Some people prefer to create their eye makeup look before contouring, but you can also do it before you perfect your smokey eye (or quick mascara application).

Should I use the Warm or Cool Contour Kit?

Whether you wear the Warm or Cool Contour Kit depends on your skin undertones and the look you want to achieve. Similar to when you want to choose the right blush for your skin tone, you should pick the shade that mimics your skin’s undertone for a natural look and one that is opposite of your undertone for a more dramatic look.

For a Natural Contour…

  • People with WARM or golden undertones should choose the Warm Contour Kit.
  • People with COOL or pink undertones should choose the Cool Contour Kit.

For a Dramatic Contour…

  • People with WARM or golden undertones should choose the Cool Contour Kit.
  • People with COOL or pink undertones should choose the Warm Contour Kit.

What brush should I use to Contour?

The brush you choose also depends on the look you want to create. Our two favorite brushes to contour with are the Contour Brush and the Blending/Contour Brush. They are both ultrasoft, vegan bushes with animal-free bristles and they can be used individually or together to create your perfect, sculpted look.

When applying the highlighter shade, we recommend the Blending/Contour Brush for a soft, glowing effect. You can also use this brush for blush, or stick to your favorite White Fan Brush. Jane Iredale’s brush collection is wonderful!

Find Your Face Shape

To find your face shape, stand in front of a mirror with your hair pulled back. Then, carefully outline your face on the mirror with a bar of soap (you could use lipstick, but soap is easier to wash off). Now, look at the outline and compare it to the nine face-shape descriptions below.

If Your Face is…

OVAL

Characteristics 

  • The proportions of the forehead height balance with the chin.
  • Both the hairline and jaw are delicately curved.
  • Cheekbones are sculpted but not overly prominent.

Enhancing Techniques

  • Contour your hairline and under jawline.
  • Highlight your cheekbones.
  • Add blush under your cheekbones or apples of your cheeks.

LONG

Characteristics 

  • You have a high forehead.
  • Your chin is long.
  • Because of the length, the cheekbones can look flat and lack lift.

Enhancing Techniques

  • Contour your temples, top of your hairline and under your chin.
  • Highlight your cheekbones and temples.
  • Add blush sparingly, on the apples of your cheeks.

ROUND

Characteristics 

  • The line of your forehead, cheeks and chin combined almost form a circle.
  • The width of your face is almost the same as the length.
  • Fuller cheeks often make the definition of the cheekbones look flat.

Enhancing Techniques

  • Contour your temples and under your cheekbones.
  • Highlight your chin and the center of your forehead.
  • Add blush under your cheekbones.

SQUARE

Characteristics

  • You have a strong bone structure.
  • Your jawline is angled at the sides.
  • Your hairline is wide and angled.

Enhancing Techniques 

  • Contour the corners of your hairline and the corners of your jaw.
  • Highlight your cheekbones, chin and the center of your forehead.
  • Add blush under your cheekbones.

RECTANGULAR/OBLONG

Characteristics

  • Your face is longer than it is wide.
  • Your cheekbones are long and straight.

Enhancing Techniques

  • Contour your temples, top of your hairline, sides of your jawline and under your chin.
  • Highlight the center of your forehead.
  • Add blush to the apples of your cheeks.

TRIANGLE

Characteristics

  • Your forehead is narrower and more rounded than your jawline.
  • Your jawline can appear angular.
  • You cheekbones may be lost because of your wider jaw.

Enhancing Techniques 

  • Contour your jawline and under your cheekbones.
  • Highlight your temples.
  • Add blush under your cheekbones.

DIAMOND

Characteristics

  • Your forehead and chin are slightly narrow and rounded.
  • The center of your face is proportionally wider than the top and bottom.
  • You have very prominent cheekbones

Enhancing Techniques 

  • Contour the center of your forehead and your chin.
  • Highlight your temples and jawline.
  • Add blush to your cheekbones or the apples of your cheeks.

INVERTED TRIANGLE

Characteristics

  • You have an angular forehead.
  • Your forehead looks proportionally wider than your rounded, longer chin.

Enhancing Techniques

  • Contour the center of forehead and your chin.
  • Highlight your temples and jawline.
  • Add blush to your cheekbones or the apples of your cheeks.

HEART-SHAPED

Characteristics

  • You have an angular forehead.
    Your forehead looks proportionally wider than your rounded, longer chin.
    You have a “widow’s peak” hairline.

Enhancing Techniques

  • Contour your temples and the center of your chin.
  • Highlight your jawline.
  • Add blush to your cheekbones or the apples of your cheeks.

We hope this blog provided some tips to help you achieve the perfect contouring routine for your face shape! Still have questions? Schedule a 15 minute beauty consultation with a Blush Beauty Expert to find out which GreatShape Contour Kit would be best for you! For an in-depth makeup lesson, schedule a Makeup 101 or Master Class with a Blush Makeup Artist today!

Content from today’s blog is courtesy of janeiredale.com