The Art Of Contouring Your Facial Features Using Foundations, Powders And Blush

The art of contouring and shaping a face is just that, an art. You can slim down a full face and fill out a narrow one using foundation, powder and blush. Remember that light brings forward and dark recedes. To highlight a feature, lighten it; to minimize a point, darken it.

* Wide Nose: Shade sides of nose from bridge to nostril; blend out towards cheeks.
* Full Cheeks: Shade a triangle with one long side along the lower edge of the cheekbone, a short side near the hairline to the earlobe, the third side to a point just under the center of the eye.
* Broad Forehead: Shade a triangle over the brow back into the temple.
* Long Nose: Shade under the tip of the nose.
* Slack Jaw Line: Shade just under the jaw line.
* Long and Narrow Face: Apply blusher at outer edge of the face out towards the ear to suggest width.
* Round Face: Blush applied high on the cheekbone will slim the face.
* Triangle or Heart-Shaped Face: Add balance by applying blush high on the cheekbone and out toward the ears.
* Square Face: Apply blush at lower side of the cheekbone, back and up toward the ear.
* Double Chin: Shade just under the jawbone and blend under the chin.
* Too High Forehead: Shade near hairline.
* Too Wide Face: Narrow by shading the side of the forehead and jaw line; highlight the center of the face.

A shading powder is recommended for subtle blending and softening of the features.

* Contours and highlights expression lines.
* Minimizes prominent features.
* Adds depth to features and helps to shape the face.
* To effectively maximize the beauty of prominent cheekbones.

Apply shading powders with a brush, applicator or fingertips. Be sure that it is blended well. The intensity of color should depend on the area to be emphasized or minimized. Shape prominent features along the jaw line, in hollows of cheeks, under the chin and on the forehead. (A shading or contouring powder is recommended.) Use in conjunction with other products when additional color is desired. Never use directly under the eyes. Reserve this area for highlighter.

Beauty Hints:

* Don't bring color up or in to close to the eyes; this makes them look smaller.
* Don't bring color in too close to the nose; this closes the face.
* Don't bring color down too far; this makes you look drawn. Stop at or above the nostrils.