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Contour, Blush & Glow
This is where a flat base becomes a face. Shadow to sculpt, colour for life, and light in all the right places.
By the end of this part you'll be able to
- Place contour to enhance your natural bone structure
- Add blush that looks like a healthy flush, not a stripe
- Match your blush and lip undertone so nothing clashes
- Highlight the high points for a natural glow
The exact slides from your class. Scroll through anytime for a refresher.
Contour
False shadows, real definition.
Contour minimises or enhances features by creating false shadows. Less in the daytime, more at night or for special occasions.
Getting it right
Texture: always use matte shades, shimmer attracts light and undoes the shadow. Tone: pick a colour that flatters your skin tone for a natural effect. Type: cream, liquid or powder all have a place, powder is a great place to start.
Use an angled cheek brush for powder contour. The long end acts as a tail and trails behind the shorter end. Disregard your hairline and brows, follow the bone structure instead. Key areas: top of ear to corner of mouth, the temple, and along the hairline if you want it.
Blush
A natural, youthful flush.
Blush adds colour to the cheeks. Less in the daytime, more at night. Angled cheek brush for powder.
Match your undertone
| Undertone | How to tell | Blush shades |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Pink palms, blue veins | Berry, rosy, cool pink |
| Warm | Yellow palms, green veins | Peach, bronze, terracotta |
How to apply
Find the 'pillow' of your cheek and start with a freshly loaded brush on the cheekbone next to it. Start slowly and build as needed, touch up at the end if it's faded.
Don't smile while you apply, it changes where the blush sits when your face is relaxed. Blend it into your contour so there's no gap between the colours.
You check your wrist: your veins look blue and your palms are pink. Which blush family suits you?
Highlighter
Light where the light would naturally hit.
Highlighter enhances the high points of the face and complements the shadow of your contour.
How to apply
Use as needed: more when skin is dehydrated, less when it's oily. A cheek brush works for powder, or for cream no brush is needed at all, your ring finger melts it into the skin. Cream highlighter looks more natural than powder.
Tap it onto the occular (brow) bone, but don't go past the centre of the eye. Disregard the brow hair and follow the bone for the most natural look. Use sparingly on oily skin.
Take it with you
Print these for your practice sessions.
- Beginner Makeup Workshop handout (printable)Your full workshop workbook with fill-in palette pagesAdd file URL
Face sculpted? Let's do the eyes.
Next up: the JV Versa-Style method, one simple technique that gives you three looks.
Next: Eyes Made Easy