Unless you’ve been living on another planet, you’ll most probably have been exposed to Kim Kardashian’s exquisitely sculpted face. Her skin always looks so flawless, her cheekbones so pronounced, her brow so dewy. K-Dash has reason to look so refined: her makeup artist likely knows how to contour. Learning how to adapt the way you apply your shading can alter the way your face looks drastically, and yet few of us know the correct way to do it. Read on for tips to getting a glow that can break the internet…
Select your weapon
If you’re looking for the tools, there are some terrific makeup brushes at Tesco. The type of makeup brushes you use can make or break the look of even the greatest products, so take a moment to familiarise yourself with what all those different shapes can achieve. A round, kabuki-style brush will diffuse highly pigmented blush, achieving a more subtle, blended look. For more definition, a wedge-shaped brush with compact bristles will give you the desired effect, and to lift any excess product or gently layer colour, keep a fan brush to hand.
To widen long faces
Bring out the apples of your cheeks with round movements in the centre to create the illusion of rosy cheeks, even if you have quite angular bone structure. Keep things soft — any strong lines will add unnecessary harshness, and diffuse outward in a circular motion to widen and flatter the face. Use powder rather than cream for a gentle glow.
For killer cheekbones
If you have a heart-shaped face (think Reese Witherspoon or Jennifer Love Hewitt), apart from being lucky, you likely have pronounced cheekbones. Highlight this feature with your blush. An off-natural colour, (apricot-hued for pale skin, berry-hued for tan) will subtly draw attention to your pretty profile. Sweep blusher up the cheek and arc up past the brow to emphasise shape and add dimension.
To slim rounder faces
Create a line from the base of your ear to the corner of your mouth, then blend upwards towards the centre of your face. This will sculpt your features, streamline your face and define your skin’s surface. Avoid blocky, matte colours and instead run your brush over a few different hues for a natural glow, rather than a flattened artificial look.
With the tips above, you’ll have no trouble achieving the look. Then it’s out to enjoy the admiration!
Image by rachcon1, used under Creative Commons license