Contour & Highlight: Before & After

Contouring and highlighting might sound intimidating, but with the right tools and techniques it can be easy. We asked our National Makeup Artist, Janeena Billera, to share her tips for defining, accentuating and minimizing features by playing with shade and light. Janeena (top) has a medium complexion with a warm undertone and uses Contour Kit in medium to dark.

1. Using contour 2 and the tapered end of the Contour/Highlighter Brush, she added soft definition to the hairline and hollows of the cheeks to make her face appear more angular.
2. To slenderize the nose, she used contour 2 and the Eye Blender Brush.
3. highlight was applied to the center of the forehead, down the center of the nose and on the tops of the cheekbones using the domed end of the Contour/Highlight Brush.
4. To create an even more intense highlight, she layered shimmer highlight over the matte highlight on the cheeks.

Rhiannon (bottom) has an olive undertone and a light complexion, which means she can use both Contour Kits, depending on the desired effect. For a natural, everyday contour, fair to light is her go-to, but for a more intense look medium to dark is a perfect pick.

1. Using the fair to light kit and the tapered end of the Contour/Highlighter Brush, she defined her nose, hairline and cheekbones by blending contour 1 and contour 2 together.
2. Next, the contour 2 from the medium to dark kit was added to her lower jawline with the domed end of the Contour/Highlight Brush. This shade can also be used for bronzer!
3. To give Rhiannon a dewy look, she added shimmer highlight from the medium to dark kit on the tops of the cheekbones.

Want to see contour in action? Check out our Contour/Highlight Tutorial.