:contouring the face
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Contouring – the basics of light & shade
MAKEUP IS ABOUT THE art of illusion. Contouring is a way of utilising makeup
to make areas on the face appear smaller, slimmer, larger or bigger. The two major principles of makeup
artistry are line and colour. The word contour means "outline". In makeup, contouring often refers to shading and highlighting. Darker colours have a tendency to cause features to recede by mimicking shadows and creating depth. Lighter colours create highlight. Texture is equally important as colour
when creating the illusion of depth and volume. Frosted colours will reflect light and matte shades will absorb light. Corrective contouring techniques are used regularly for fashion shows, television, photography and film where intense lighting tends to flatten features. When applying contour, the light,
medium and dark colours should gradually blend from one to another. A more balanced look may be created by shading overly prominent features and highlighting weaker features. For example the temple, nose or jaw line areas may be minimized, accentuated or redefined. The "oval" face was at one time the most
desirable face shape because of its photogenic qualities. Artists were drawn to the way the light fell on planes of the face, creating soft shadows on the underlying bone structure.
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Because of the increasing number of cultural influences on the fashion industry, many face shapes are now popular and contouring has adapted. The best products to use to contour are; bronzing powders, foundations, concealers and generally – light and darker shades of your skin tone. Makeup may not change the shape of the face, but it can create the illusion of balanced
features. Careful use of contouring may produce a more proportionate face by shading features that are too full or large, and by highlighting areas that are too small or thin. Phoenix Renata www.phoenixcosmetics.com
clockwise from top left: Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation, RRP $72; Nutrimetics Pure Touch Blush RRP $25.00; Ceramide Ultra Lift and Firm Concealer RRP$55; Jane Iredale So-Bronze 3 RRP $95.00; Terracota Bronzing Powder – Moisturizing and Long Lasting RRP $94.00
