You can apply your contour wherever you want extra definition and shadow. The usual places to apply are just under the cheekbones, under the jawline, along the hairline and on the sides of the nose. But in all honesty, there are no rules, go with your face and see what works best! c) Skin tone- It is a no-brainer that the contouring shade must be two shades darker than your foundation shade for a natural glow.

It really depends on how dramatic you want the contour to look. For a natural look, opt for a shade or two darker than your skin shade or foundation shade. When should you apply it?Be aware that if you are using a powder foundation, you should not apply a cream contour or any other cream product like cream blush on top of it. A cream cannot sit on top of powder, it will drag it when you apply it. Cream contour is best for those looking for a dewy, natural finish. Ideal for dry and normal skin, but not really recommended for oily skin. Powder contours work much better for oily skin. It has the feel of a high-end contour, it’s long-lasting and crease-proof too. Once you’ve applied your makeup, you can forget about it for the rest of the day! Seriously, you’re good to go because this contour doesn’t budge! Formula: Keep an eye out for creamy, easily blendable formulas. "I love using cream or liquid contour," Figueroa says. Liquid goes on a bit sheerer for dressed-down looks, while cream offers some more drama and opaqueness.

For more dramatic sculpts, Greenwood and OCool both recommend using a dense brush (like the Morphe M6 Pro Flat Dense Buffer Brush or the Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki Brush) to buff the contour into the skin in upward strokes. This creates a more targeted effect and allows you to easily build up intensity. The beauty of a cream contour is that it’s so versatile. You can wear it alone or with foundation and the results will still be natural-looking. A cream contour is best for a dewy, natural finish and a powder contour is best for a matte look. Your skin type also plays a role in which contour is best for you. Is cream contour for you? Though it blends like a dream when using a brush, it doesn’t blend as seamlessly when using your fingers.

Benefits

Shade: Go for a shade that is at least two or even three times darker than your skin tone. It both blends into and emphasizes the shadows of your face, so it won't look as dramatic as you think. Although we’re talking about contours here, an added highlighter is always welcome! And the highlighter is all the rage. Full of glow without the shimmer, I can’t get enough of it! You can blend out contour in a variety of ways, but you will get a different result depending on the tool you use. When you want a more subtle contour, Greenwood suggests starting with your hands. “Using your fingers to blend melts the product better, whether you have mature, textured, or youthful skin,” she says. Though the formula blends like a dream, we especially love that the product is essentially a two in one: You’ll find a gorgeous matte cream on one end, and a built-in buffer brush on the other. When used together, the contour and brush beautifully sculpt your features. If you’re one of those people who likes to bypass makeup tools to use your hands, you may want to skip this product — surprisingly, the formula doesn’t melt into skin as nicely when using your fingers.

Tone: Rather than warmer tones, look for a color that "mimics the cool tone shadow and how it would naturally hit your face," Figueroa says. Swatch against your skin — preferably where you would place the contour — to make sure it doesn't look ashy or too grey. If you are shopping online, try to look up photos of women wearing a product that might be similar in skin tone to you. Read more contour application tips in my post on How To Apply Makeup To Look Younger. My Thoughts on Cream Contours

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