Makeup Contouring vs Strobing

Whether you’re looking for sculpted over dewy, subtlety or drama, beautypress has the ‘what’s what’ about the contour-strobing debate!

What is it?
Contouring combines a mix of darker skin tone shades to chisel your features and lighter shades for highlighting – it’s all about making those cheekbones pop!

The Look you’re after
Sculpted, matte and a whole lotta drama.

Master it.
Don’t make the mistake of using bronzer – there’s too much shimmer in there. It’s all about creating an envious illusion of peaks and valleys on your face…yes really. For this reason, a contour matte must be used in a color slightly darker than your natural skin tone. Top application hack: use a small fluffy eye shadow brush for a really precise contour. Use a darker shade of contour matte along the side of your temples, under your cheekbones and jawline. Dab a foundation brush or a damp egg sponge over the contour masterpiece to make sure there are no obvious lines. Less is really more!

What is it?
Contour’s way simpler and less dramatic sister.

The Look you’re After
Fresh, dewy, subtle.

Master it.
For a soft, radiant glow, this look uses only light to enhance your face – so forget the bronzers and dark powders here. Head straight for that highlighter stick! Switch your normal primer for a glow primer, or simpy mix a bit of luminizer with your foundation to gear up for a top glow. Avoid using anything matte in this routine as it’ll dull down your results. Next, use a highlighter to enhance where the light would naturally hit your face, which, for most of us is your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and across your temples. Don’t apply highlighter to your forehead if you’re scared of looking oily. For light skin, apply a champagne highlighter and for medium to dark – prepare to shine in more golden hues.