Ready to step up your makeup skills? Instantly enhance your natural bone structure with our basic contour makeup tutorial! Follow the contour makeup guide below and you’ll be photo-shoot ready in just a few steps. Start by applying a light foundation in the areas labeled “HL” to add highlights. Fill in the areas marked “BR” with a darker foundation or powder (about 2 shades darker than your skin) to act as your bronzer. Finish off by applying blush in the area of the cheekbone marked “BL” and—voilà!—a perfect makeup look for any special occasion!
Products used for this look: Mary Kay TimeWise® Matte-Wear® Liquid Foundation in Beige, Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream and Urban Decay’s Naked Flushed Palette in “Streak”!
Join The Conversation (67)
I love this! Can’t wait to try it out 🙂 Thank you for this post. I feel like it’s going to be a lifesaver!
New to contouring…any good makeup brands to try or avoid?
do you apply an overall foundation before starting the contouring? Do you recommend a translucent powder?
Hi Kelly! Applying a full layer of foundation would be a great idea to create an even layer before starting your contouring, it just depends on the amount of coverage you are looking for. And a layer of translucent powder would definitely help set the look!
I like it very much thanks
Do we apply using brush or sponge? As the BR can we use bronzer ??
Vicky, yes absolutely! Feel free to use bronzer or dark foundation. And we recommend applying with a brush.
What kind of brushes are recommended?
Michelle, either a flat foundation brush or kabuki brush will work great for foundation, and any blending brush with a contoured shape would be ideal for the blush and/or bronzer! Sigma Beauty offers an awesome selection that can be shopped here!
I love this shade of contouring it seems so natural. could you tell me what’s the brand and shade of each foundation that you used, please?
I would also love a lost of products used to achieve this look? Thanks!
looks great
How do you blend the colors without them mixing? Or do you just do 1 section at a time?
how did you do your eyes? They look really good.
Eye tutorial of this look?
Megan, we don’t have a tutorial of this exact eye look but the our Eye Enlarging Makeup Tutorial is very similar. Instead of eyeshadow, try using a black liquid liner for a more dramatic cat-eye!
Products used for this look were a combo of Mary Kay TimeWise® Matte-Wear® Liquid Foundation in Beige, Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream and Urban Decay’s Naked Flushed Palette!
Marina, we suggest going section by section in order of the steps provided.
Conturing is everything to a great look..
this is fab info! Thanks.
Once all the highlighting etc is done, does it get blended in or does the foundation just get put on top?
Mellie, we recommend applying foundation first, then applying your highlight, bronzer etc. then blending! Applying powder after will also help set the look.
Love the way you teach
what shade for urban decay flushed did you use? I found several but can’t decide which one it is. My coloring is similar to the girl in the pic.
Allison, we used the Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette called “Streak”. Hope that helps!
Hi lulu do you have video clip on this tutorial
Hi lulu do you have video clip on this tutorial And I really like the way you give tips on makeup
We unfortunately do not have a video tutorial available for this look, but we would be happy to answer any other questions you may have!
I know this sounds stupid–but after applying all the different areas what do you to blend them all together–I am missing something==Thanks so much–I really like it
Hi Bonnie! You can buff out and blend with either a foundation brush or a beauty blender!
did you put first the primer before a foundation?
Yes, we used a primer before applying foundation. We love the The Balm Time Balm Face Primer and NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer.
Love the look! Can you share what brand and color highlighter you used?
Toree, we used the highlighter from Urban Decay’s Naked Flushed Palette in “Streak”.
I love mary Kay matte wear foundation!!
I recently found YBF cosmetics on the Home Shopping Network (HSN.com). I really like the products. She even includes a card detailing how to use each of her products. YBF = Your Best Face or she’s also equated it to men your best friend!
Love this it’s so pretty and natural unlike the contouring videos on IG.
Simply beautiful! I am going to do this with my MK! thanks so much. http://marykaytribute.com/HerLife.aspx
This girl looks exactly like my sister I’m not even kidding. Anyways I wanted to know can I use a beauty blender l?
This girl looks exactly like my sister I’m not even joking. But anyways can I use a Beauty blender?
Leanna, a Beauty Blender could be great for any liquid products, but we suggest brushes for blending out the powders in this look.
What eyeshadow did you use here?
Hot
love the lip color, do you know the brand and color?
nice blog thanks for sharing
Hi im geena. First let me say im a male and im trying to learn how to apply make.
So when i apply the way the pic shows i will like kinda blend them togather or do they need to be seperate im so confused.
Please help me.
This will help me out for my shyness because I really don’t know how to makeover my self it’s feel me shame some tym but know I’ll try and try..