There’s no denying that makeup and art have a lot in common. Contour makeup and highlighter makeup, for instance, follow a key principle for creating depth– dark recedes and light advances. The two complement one another for a face makeup look that naturally enhances your facial features. Face contouring products will sharpen edges (think: cheekbones and jawline) by creating shadows, and highlighter products reflect light, adding dimension and imparting a youthful glow. Maybelline has everything you need for your masterpiece, including contour and highlighter sticks and powders, along with multi-use face products, all designed to blend easily and work with all skin tones and face shapes. Shop affordable highlighter and contour makeup products below, and learn how to contour like a pro with our helpful tutorials.
Contour Makeup FAQs
The main difference between highlight and contour is how the product interacts with light. The dark nature of a contour product creates shadows that make facial features appear sharper and more angled. Highlighter, on the other hand, has a softness that reflects light and plays off the shadows created by the contour, resulting in depth and dimension. The two are meant to be applied in different areas, too, with highlighter on the high points and contour on the angles, like under cheekbones, the sides of the nose, and along the jawline.
Benefits of highlight:
- Brightens the skin for a healthy glow
- Draws attention to the areas it’s applied to
- Lifts the face
- Creates the illusion of smooth texture
Benefits of contour:
- Adds definition to the face
- Creates shadows for sharper angles
- Adds depth and structure
- Sculpts and lifts the face
Step 1: Apply foundation to even out any discoloration, creating a smooth, even-toned canvas for your contour. Our SuperStay Lumi Matte Foundation will leave you with a radiant, skin-like finish.
Step 2: Start with your contour product, such as Lifter Stix Multi-Use Face Sticks, at the top of your cheekbone and draw an angled line to the apple of your cheek. Tip: Always apply your darker contour shade first and your highlighter/concealer shade second. It will give a more "lifted" and awake effect.
Step 3: Using that same contour shade, draw along the jawline, starting from below your ear. To start, we recommend making a few dashes along the jaw instead of one continuous line, as you can always add more if needed.
Step 4: Add depth and dimension to the forehead by outlining along the hairline and connecting that line to the cheekbone. This should make a backwards “3” on each side, rounding around your temple, connecting below your cheekbone, and to your jaw, too. For an extra bronzed, warmed-up feel, add some City Bronzer to the temples and buff it in with a brush.
Step 5: Blend all of the contour lines into your skin with a damp makeup sponge, making sure you’re pressing the sponge into your skin instead of wiping at it, which can remove the color and soften the sharp angles.
Step 6: Gently define the nose by drawing a line of contour on both sides, going all the way from the top of the bridge, close to the brow, down to the tip. Gently pat in color with your sponge to blend.
Step 7: Now use a lighter IAR Concealer shade to conceal dark circles and brighten the face. Add "lift" by drawing slightly upward tilted lines at the ends of the eyes, in between brows, down the bridge of the nose, and along the mid cheek. Add a pop of brightness on the outer corners of the nose, and a dot on the center chin. Blend to finish.
