Understanding the Purpose of a Cream Contour Palette
Whilst a cream contour palette might look like a selection of assorted hues randomly put together, it serves a very specific purpose. The seemingly modest compact offers a wide range of colours to help define, enhance and elevate facial features with finesse. The different shades in the palette are designed to match, complement, and accentuate various complexion tones, allowing freedom of choice for the user.
Utilising a cream contour palette, you can create depth and dimension, simulate shadows, and craft the illusion of certain features being more pronounced than others. Chiselled jawlines, slimmer noses, and higher cheekbones – all this and more can be achieved using this powerful makeup tool. A more natural alternative to its powder counterpart, the cream contour palette blends easily into the skin for a seamless finish.
Preparing Your Skin for Contouring
As is true with most makeup techniques, a clean canvas helps in ensuring the best possible outcomes. Begin by properly cleansing your face, proceeding to exfoliate if desired to get rid of any skin flakiness. Next, apply a moisturiser that suits your skin type. This prevents the cream contour from settling into dry patches and ensures a smoother application.
Following the moisturiser, a primer is optional yet recommended. It acts as the perfect bridge between your skin and makeup, providing an even surface for the contour to latch on to. Not only does this step ensure your contour stays put for longer hours, but it also makes blending easier by preventing the cream contour from being directly absorbed into the skin.
Learning to Identify Your Face Shape
To successfully contour using your cream palette, it's important to understand your face shape. While every face is unique and beautiful, they can be broadly classified into some basic shapes: round, oval, square, diamond, heart, and rectangle. The areas you choose to contour and highlight depend on your specific face shape.
Generally, for most face shapes, the purpose of contouring is to create or enhance the perception of an oval face. It's considered aesthetically balanced, and the techniques you use are essentially aimed at mimicking this shape. However, it's crucial to remember that these are just guidelines and not rules, and each individual is encouraged to contour in a method that they feel most comfortable with and enhances their natural beauty.
Applying Contour To Different Face Shapes
Understanding how to apply contour to different face shapes is mandatory to achieve a harmonious look. When working with a round face, the contours are generally applied along the sides of the forehead, below the cheekbones, and along the jawline to create dimension.
If your face shape is square, focus your contour along the jawline and the temples to round off the sharpness. For heart-shaped faces, contour around the forehead and the small part of the chin to balance out the wider forehead. Meanwhile, folks with diamond-shaped faces should contour the side of their forehead and under their cheekbones to create an illusion of width.
For those with an oval face, a dash of contour just below the cheekbones works wonders. Additionally, people with a rectangle face shape can contour on the sides of their forehead and below their cheekbones to get a softer appearance.
The Art of Blending Cream Contour
Once the contour is strategically placed, the next step is blending – marked as one of the most critical steps in contouring. Whether you opt for a brush, sponge or even your fingers, the idea is to ensure the product seeps into the skin and appears like a natural shadow rather than harsh painted lines. Buff the contour into your skin with back-and-forth sweep and circular motions.
It's a good idea to blend your highlight before contour for a smooth transition between the two. Also, remember to blend in an upward direction for an uplifted look, and always in the direction of your hairline to avoid any noticeable lines. The key to this process is patience; rushing can lead to patchy or evident lines.
Maintaining Your Cream Contour Palette
Maintenance of your cream contour kit is essential for long-lasting and effective use. Always ensure the palette is stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight to ensure the creams don’t dry out. Also, remember to close the palette correctly after use to prevent dust or impurities from settling into the product.
Maintain good hygiene by cleaning your brushes or sponges regularly to prevent bacterial growth and ensure they are fully dry before using them to apply makeup. Moreover, avoid sharing your makeup tools or palettes with others to prevent cross-contamination.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using a Cream Contour Palette
While a cream contour palette can be your beauty best friend, knowing how to navigate its use is crucial to avoid common makeup missteps. One common mistake is using the wrong shade for your skin tone. Always use a contour shade that is one or two shades deeper than your natural skin tone to ensure a natural look.
Another mistake is contouring every feature. Contouring isn’t about altering your features completely; instead, it’s about enhancing your natural beauty. Avoid overdoing it and aim to strike a balance. Keep in mind that contouring should work subtly without drawing attention to itself.
Lastly, skipping the blending step is a beauty blasphemy. Unblended lines can look harsh and unnatural. Ensure that you take your time to blend your contour for a smooth and seamless finish.
