4 Tips on How to *Not* Look Like Handsome Squidward — A Beginner-Friendly Contour Guide
When you know better, you do your beat better.
I was having a beauty chat with the Hypebae Beauty team and causally, the art of contouring came up. Personally, as a long-time beauty aficionado, I learned over the years that due to my structured face and naturally chiseled cheekbones that I necessarily didn’t need to contour if I didn’t want to. When I did, I looked like a handsome Squidward. (Yes, this is the point where you’re supposed to “LOL.”)
Dare I say that Kim Kardashian and the KarJenner sent us all to the pits of hell at the start and peak of the contouring trend? While we may still be intrigued by the idea of a sculpted look — we’ve also gathered that the overly highlighted aesthetic isn’t for everyone.
If you’re anything like me, while you learned what contouring methods do and don’t work for you, you picked up learning how to carve cheekbones and enhance the jawlines. However, we do know that with so many tips and techniques on the internet, it’s not always apparent which products to use and where on your face to sweep them, which is why the Hypebae Beauty Team has put together a step-by-step guide on contouring your face. Squidward teas is not the wave.
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What Products Do I Need For Contouring?
When it comes to achieving the perfect contour, we recommend selecting a product that is three shades darker than your natural skin tone. If you have a cool-toned complexion, opt for a cooler, greyish-brown shade to enhance your features. On the other hand, if your skin is warm-toned, a warmer, red-brown shade would be more suitable for a seamless contour application.
The next step is to determine whether you prefer a cream or powder-based contour. While it is a personal preference, the rule of thumb is to take your skin type and texture into consideration when selecting a formula. If you’re prone to makeup that creases no matter what you do or have dry skin, use a cream contour.
Bonus tip: For creamy products, a damp beauty blender will give you an “off-the-bone” skin melt.
If you have oily skin, go with a powder finish. Be advised that powder does not do well with your fingers and a makeup brush is needed to give you a seamless blend.
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How To Contour Like A Pro:
1. Prep Is Key
Always use a primer and moisturizer before applying any form of makeup. These two steps help set the canvas for a beautiful application flow and helps the glam last longer.
2. Create A Soft Shadow
The most universal technique of contouring is to use a darker shade to create a hollow beneath your cheekbones. Use the “fish lips” method by sucking in your cheeks and tracing the product along the hollows of the cheeks. Make sure to shadow along the three key places: hairline, under cheeks and jawline. However, this is a suggestion and not a Golden Rule. This is contingent on your face shape.
3. Don’t Forget To Blend, Baby
In makeup, blending is the most important — especially when working with shades that are not true to tone. Blend to make sure that your shadows connect with your foundation layer. Do this until those traced lines appear more natural-looking.
4. Set It, Lock It
To ensure the longevity of your contour, apply setting powder or spray to lock in the sculptured masterpiece and give off a mastered, flawless finish.
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