Contouring is the key to highlighting your facial features in a way that outshines a standard swipe of blush or bronzer in major megawatts. Knowing which products to use and how to use them can be a daunting task, even if you consider yourself a pro. Here is how-to contour, blush, and highlight and bake the face! Everyone has been asking for a tutorial to learn how to do some of the basis, so here is how I contour, blush and highlight!

My favorite contour products for fair/pale skin!

Wearing (and holding) the new NARS Contour Blush in Paloma I don’t want to divulge too much, because I like being mysterious, and I want RyGos to continue thinking that I wake up with these chiseled cheekbones (Haha! Better to have him believe they were sculpted by Michelangelo than have him know they were actually contoured by NARS. I mean, you already know so many of my secrets — what’s one more? Like, you know that I hide a Mini Babybel Cheese in my purse (because you never know when the urge to eat a small cheese wheel will hit you.

You know that I love Bravo. You know that I am obsessed with makeup, Trader Joe’s and cats. You also know that one of my legs is slightly longer than the other. Wait — you didn’t know that? Oops, I thought you did.

🙂 I guess what I’m trying to say is this: being as how you already know so much about me, what’s a little covert contouring talk between friends? The secret to the chiseled cheeks I’m currently sporting is the new NARS Contour Blush in Paloma, one of three $42 contouring powder blush duos recently added to the permanent line. Umis that cheese in your purse? Each of the duos has — no surprise here — two shades, one darker than the other.

The darker shade is used to define and add depth to the face, while the lighter shades is used for highlights. Paloma, the one I wear, is the middle-of-the-road option. The new NARS Contour Blushes ($42 each) Olympia, the lightest of the three duos, has an ivory and a rose; Paloma, a pinkish beige and a deep rose; and Gienah, the darkest duo, houses a honey and an amber.

NARS Contour Blush in Olympia NARS Contour Blush in Paloma NARS Contour Blush in Gienah Like the MAC Pro Sculpting and Shaping Powders, they’re designed to shape and contour, and have a similarly smooth texture (not patchy at all), finely-milled powders and a soft sheen. Initially, I was a little freaked out by the strong pink, rose and beige tones among these NARS duos and thought, “Are these only going to work well on cool-toned skin?” But nope, that’s not a problem. I feared that the pinkish beige and rose tones in Paloma would go grayish on me and my warm skin tone, and they do — if I pile on too much — but as long as I stick to using a few light layers, I can easily sculpt and shape. Olympia Swatch Paloma Swatch Gienah Swatch You may have to use a few layers, depending on how deeply cut you want your contour, because these powders are on the sheer side — which isn’t a bad thing, mind you. I actually think it’s pretty genius. It makes them easy to control and virtually goof-proof.

In my experience, it’s much easier (and even quicker) to build up sheer layers of contour color, as opposed to starting with something darker and trying to buff it down. Buuuut, even if you do happen to over-apply one of these Contour Blushes — no worries. The buttery formula is easy to blend out. As far as the finish, it appears matte in swatches, but I do see a hint of sheen on my face, which I think is nice.

It seems real and natural. I used to think that contouring would add tons of extra time to my routine, but it doesn’t. But my kind of contouring isn’t overly carved out. Before applying NARS Contour Blush in Paloma on the left, and after on the right To apply these, I load an angled face brush with one of the darker shades, then swipe it beneath my cheekbones, along my hairline, down the sides of my nose and along my jawline. Then, with the same brush, I apply the lighter shade on my upper cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and on my Cupid’s bow, finishing with a dusting of whatever blush I happen to be wearing on the apples of my cheeks.

As long as I’m not foolin’ around (which, actually, does happen often), I can knock out a quickie contour in 2-3 minutes. Paloma with a bit of NARS Orgasm Blush on top. That’s what I like best about these Contour Blushes — they’re user-friendly. It makes them perfect for beginners and others interested in light contouring. Just be a little careful not to over-apply if you have warm skin tone like mine. PRICE: $42 each AVAILABILITY: Available now at NARS Boutiques and coming April 1 to NARS counters (also coming soon to ) MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, Karen Chisel Those Cheeks!

Can this be done with the open web?

Contouring Made Easy With the New NARS Contour Blushes / Originally published March 19th, 2014 Categories:,. I do declare, I have the same little vice. But I love the light version of those cute little Mini-Babybels. They are great for taking the edge off when I’m out and about or at home and it’s not dinnertime. Love the Nars duos. I have to learn how to contour and highlight. It makes such a big difference.