Contouring Your Face with Foundation
August 1, 2005 by Christina Jones
Filed under Makeup
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Using different foundation colors in order to highlight the positive and minimize the negative is a great technique to learn when applying your makeup.
I suggest purchasing foundation in 3 colors–one that matches your skin tone, one a shade lighter, and one a shade darker (and remember your color wheel–choose a warm or cool foundation accordingly–knowing this makes it much easier to choose foundation, as most foundations are marked as such these days). Another option is to purchase a contouring kit , like the one shown above, available at Alcone Beauty, which is great to have when you are travelling, but I really prefer to have the 3 shades of foundation, which carry me through all seasons (I use more of the lighter one in the Winter, and the darker one in the Summer).
Step 1: Begin with the darker color and apply it to the areas in your face that you would like to recede.
I apply it under my cheekbones, along my jawline, (from the bottoms of my ears, swept on top of the jawline around almost to the chin–this takes the “square” off of my jawline and gives the illusion of a more oval face), and on both sides of my nose (for a narrower look). If your face shape is round, you might try applying the darker color all of the way up both sides of your face, remembering to blend it in well with your hairline. For a square face, use the darker colors in the four “corners,” to soften them.
Step 2: Using the color that matches your skin tone, apply it to the rest of your face, blending in with - but not covering - the contours you put in with the darker color.
Step 3: With the lighter color, blend a little under your eyes (to lighten up dark circles), on your eyelids, and right down the center of your nose from between the eyes, down to the tip of the nose to give the illusion of a nice straight nose. If you look closely at the makeup on models, you can see that many of them do this.
Experiment with this a little bit, I think you will love the results, but remember to blend, blend, blend!
hi Christina — i think i need to take lessons in applying foundation. Do you know that I’m 32 y/o and I still use pressed powder on my face? hehe
This article should be a pretty good start. There are tons of different types, and if you don’t like the "feel" of foundation, you might try starting with a tinted moisturizer. The biggest tip I have for foundation is blend, blend, blend!
I am feeling an article on foundation types coming on…LOL
haha I think you need to have a follow-up article on foundation types. I’m asian living in NZ where the majority of the people’s skin tone is very different from mine. Tried asking for advice from the ladies at the beauty counters but I haven’t really found anything that I am comfortable with…..
Will you be able to show before and after photo samples of foundation use so I can see the difference? Sorry, I’m visual!
LOL You are killing me
I suppose I "could" send some before and afters, but I might just email them to you in private! LOL Maybe get out my webcam and you can just watch!
Seriously though–do you know if you are a warm or cool skin color? That will help a lot. Also, have you tried a Shiseido counter? They are a Japanese (I think-don’t quote me on this) company, and might have better colors for your Asian skin.
And thank you so much for reading my blog–I hope you are enjoying it, I am just loving it here so far!!
Hi Christina! I love your blog! I am an Eau Naturelle kinda lady (read: don’t know much about make up! haha) and seriously need help!
I think we have Shiseido here and will check. Cool or warm skin colour? What’s that?????
private photos are good too! Webcam lessons are better! When? When?
LOL You’re making me laugh while my main computer is dying on me–got a virus or something over there–no webcam lessons any time soon. LOL Gonna be a big day of reformatting tomorrow, I am afraid.
Did you miss my blog on the color wheel? Read it, if you haven’t, and if you still need help deciding if you are warm or cool…just ask
Ahhhhhhh we are all ok over here now–a good chuckle must have been the key to my computer acting right again!
I wonder if we could video blog a "virtual makeover!" Hmmmmmmm…….
hmm, why not? keen on any makeover — virtual or not! haha
I’ve been using Clarins for a couple of years and like their base and powder foundation. I apply the foundation with a damp sponge and it’s very quick and easy!
I have used that type of foundation before, and agree–easy is good!