How-to: contour and highlight with ease
When you see pictures of Kim Kardashian looking like this:
Or this:
You get the impression that this whole highlighting and contouring thing is hard. And involves a similar skill set to that of a professional make-up artist, which you most likely don’t have (kudos if you do, that’s pretty cool).
But the truth is that highlighting and contouring isn’t as tricky as it seems – you just need the right tools (read: powders and brushes) and a little guidance, which we’ve handily provided in the video above. Check it out to see just how easy it is to contour.
If you don’t have the time to watch it right now, here are the steps:
First, gather your tools - powders and brushes. For an all-in-one solution, use a contouring and highlighting kit like the Australis AC On Tour Highlighting and Contouring Kit.
Step 1: prep your skin with primer and foundation

Step 2: select your contouring shade

The shade should be about two-to-three shades darker than your skin tone.
Step 3: define your cheekbones

Find your cheekbone (you can use the handle of your make-up brush to identify the line), and sweep your contouring shade just under it from the hairline to nose, following the line.
Step 4: define your temples, hairline, and jaw

Sweep the same colour on your temples, hairline and jawline.
Step 5: define your nose

Use your contouring shade to draw a line from the inner corners of your eyebrows down the sides of your nose. Join the two lines around the tip of your nose – kind of like a smiley face.
At this point you’ll start looking weird…

Step 6: select your highlighting shade and highlight your cheekbones

Apply the highlighting shade above and below the contouring lines on your cheekbones. After this, your cheeks will have stripes that go light-dark-light.
Step 7: highlight your forehead, nose and chin

Sweep the colour across your forehead, down the bridge of your nose and on your chin.
Step 8: highlight your eyes and lips

Using a smaller brush, highlight the inner corners of your eyes as well as your cupid’s bow.
Step 9: blend it all together

Using a loose powder brush, blend the colours together so the lines disappear and you’re left with contoured and highlighted features. Finish off with eye make-up, blush and a lip colour.
Do you have any tips for highlighting and contouring? Have you tried highlighting and contouring before?
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123 Member Comments
I don't have the confidence to do this. Great look if done well though.
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Looking so radiant
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Keep it simple and natural. That's always best
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I might have to practice with my nose!
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I don't see the need to do all this, unless it was for a super special occasion.
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I normally do it for special occasions but not regularly
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Might have to give this a go. Looks amazing - thank you.
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So much effort, but sooooo worth it in the end!
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I don't like this look. The strobing is better much better this look soo fake.
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Good tips, thanks BH.
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Looks gorgeous, I wonder on my fair skin, would it be too dark
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Oh I need some practice
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These tips are very welcome - thanks Bh - there's so many more spots to highlight and contour than what I knew!
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A lot of effort would go into this process.
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When you do it it is easy =D
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I would like someone to show me
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Okay, so I just gave it a go. It does look really strange when you only have the contouring lines, and it hasn't been blended in. I was very worried about my chin because I have a little chin, and it seemed to be accenting my dimple in the chin, making my chin look fat (but it isn't). I don't think I need to contour my chin again, but the Australis kit blends well. Love the instructions on the back as well. They're very easy to follow.
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Yay! Your first contouring! Congrats =)
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I received this contouring kit in the 2016 Glosscars Awards winners box, and I didn't have a clue what to do with it. Obviously I'm a contouring newbie. So I am going through my brushes now, trying to see what will work best, and will give it a go. Keeping my fingers crossed!
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I really love the tips on highlighting your eyes and lips! They are so good, thank you.
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This looks great! I only really contour my cheeks as I find it relatively straightforward. Have never mastered the art of nose contouring but the bridge of my nose is already quite thin and straight so it's probably a waste of time.
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That is such a good article, I have added it to my favourites. I am a bit nervous about trying it though!!
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Thanks Bree... that video was so helpful
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The video makes contouring look easy, I will try it in baby steps I think.
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Slowly getting into highlighing, to scared to do the whole contour though
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