Friday 11 January 2013

How To - Contouring For Pale Skin

As a pale skinned girl I only recently started using bronzers and contouring products. For a long time I just thought it would not work for my pale skintone and just make me look like I had mud on my face. Over the last year or so i've discovered some products and ways of contouring for my pale skin and after asking on twitter I thought it would be helpful for me to share them with you. 
First lets talk bronzers, it has taken me a long time to find bronzers that aren't too orangey and not overly shimmery. One I haven't included that I do like is the Bourjous 'chocolate bonzer' which I like bit I prefer these ones now.
Starting with the best matte bronzer I have found is NYC Sunny Bronzer, (full post here) this is the right amount of a light brown with no orange tones to it. This is great for applying in the hollows of the cheeks (this is where you make the strange duck face). With bronzers my main tip is definitely less is more, this bronzer is great for this because it is buildable and never looks over the top. The other is my Summer option; NARS Laguna. This is a well loved bronzer which I was happy to see works surprisingly well on pale skin. This has a slight shimmer I don't use this to contour but instead apply it where the sun would hit the face. This is the temples, along the nose, hollows of cheeks and under the jaw line. Here's a picture of the pan of Laguna to show that it really isn't that orangey.
Next i'll mention tools, having the right tools definitely helps when applying contouring products. My favourite brush for actually contouring is the Real Techniques Contour Brush, this brush is soft and and is good at blending out any harsh lines. Another favourite is the Sigma Large Angled Contour F40 for the same reasons. For applying a product like Laguna all over the face I love the Real Techniques Blush Brush and the Sigma Duo Fibre F50 because again they blend the product nicely and makes it look very natural.
Left to Right - Sigma F40, Sigma F50, Real Techniques Blush Brush, Real Techniques Contour Brush.
Some of my favourite ways to contour is purple toned blushes. These are perfect for pale skins because they look so natural and no orange tones in sight! Some cheap option are NYX Taupe Blush which I apply into the hollows of the cheeks using the Sigma F40 because this is matte it looks natural and gives a defined cheek bones look. Some blushes that look great applied to the hollows of the cheeks instead of the apples are ELF's Mellow Mauve Blush and Rimmel 3 in 1 Powder Blush in Autumn Catwalk.
Some higher end options are NARS Douceur Blush which should be a must for everyone with pale skin because it is models cheek bones in a blush, amazing. The other is MAC Desert Rose Blush which is completely matte and again looks best applied into the hollows of the cheeks. 
As a round up I thought I would mention out of all blushes that if you still are a bit unsure of bronzers the ones that are best for contouring. These are definitely NYX Taupe which may look a little scary in the pan but looks amazing on the cheeks. It definitely doesn't look the best on the apples of the cheeks but in the hollows going up to the ears it looks great. NARS Douceur is my current favourite blush because it is a little bit more pinked toned that NYX Taupe so looks great as a blush and contour in one. 
So I hope this post was helpful if you are a bit stuck for contouring. My main tips would be apply to the hollows of the cheeks instead of on the apples. Less is definitely more and use a fluffy brush to get rid of any harsh lines because it will look a lot more natural. The next top to apply bronzer where the sun hits the face to achieve that sun kissed look!

What are you contouring tips?

12 comments:

  1. I got the NYC bronzer in a Secret Santa swap and I absolutely love it. I'm freaking out a bit though because it seems hard to get a hold of so i'm planning on getting a few back ups sometime so i'm not left without one.

    Lx

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  2. My contouring tips really highlight my own personal preference which is a cool-toned contour: anything warm is out which is why I never contour with bronzer. I like my cold contour colours like MAC Sculpt or Illamasqua Rumour.

    I never contour with anything shimmery as you mentioned and I don't bring the contour too far in :) x

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  3. Thank you for the tips! I'll add NYX Taupe to my next NYX haul. I've tried to contour a few times and really not been happy with the results.

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    1. Glad it helped someone! NYX Taupe is so great, definitely worth getting :)

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  4. I am still lost on how to contour! I always seem to make myself look dirty. I think I'm using the wrong color, and too much. I'll have to try some of your suggest ones.

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    1. It's best to just keep trying and soon you will get the hang of it :)

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  5. We're all looking better now we think 'contour' rather than highlight. When I look back at old pics of me from last year, its shimmer city. Tone it down! Not you. Lovely post, and lots to remember there too x

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  6. Need to try the NYC bronzer!

    http://stellar-makeup.blogspot.ca/

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Thank you for the comments, I always read them and try to answer any questions. Blogger does not notify you when I reply so you can always tweet me @HelenRamblesOn :)