Makeup girlies know all about the art of sculpting one’s face or making certain areas warmer. Yes, we can contour with bronzer. Yes, we can bronze with contour. But what are the techniques themselves, and which one works best for you? That depends on a range of factors such as skin tone, the product and what you’d like to serve through your makeup look. This is our take on bronzer vs. contour.
Bronzer vs. Contour: Both Techniques Add Warmth to the Face
Bronzing, as indicated by its name, adds a glowing warmth to the face in the form of a powder or cream. It also deepens the skin tone in the applied area. Contouring, usually applied around specific areas of the face, is also done with creams and powders. Both products can add depth although the consistency of contour typically does a better job of sculpting.
Bronzers are usually lighter in formula whereas contours are heavier, which is why they have a grander power of transforming the face. Usually brown in color, both products can help to highlight the placement of contour as well.
Bronzing Is the Preferred Technique for Warmth
Bronzer adds warmth, usually along the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. It can be applied right above the contour lines on the cheek and forehead, then down the center of the nose and chin. The glow is achieved not only by the color and consistency of the bronzer, but the shimmer (usually a feature in the product). It doesn’t need to be placed in any particular spot, as makeup is artistry. However, these suggestions will help you to get that beachy glow look that aligns with effortless, sun-kissed beauty. Contouring doesn’t exactly get you sun-kissed, but it sets the stage so that you can get there.
Contouring Is Done to Sculpt
Contouring sculpts the face no matter the face shape. There’s something for every face shape whether round, oval, heart, triangle or defined by a strong jawline. Typically, a few shades darker than the skin tone (or deeper), it is often applied beneath the cheek bones, along the jawline, along the top of the forehead and the bridge of the nose. Depending on your face shape, there are graphs and tutorials that can instruct on contouring. Trends around contouring shift often, but classical techniques bring forward the features that the client wants to celebrate.
Now that you have a solid understanding of what each technique and set of products is used for, which do you prefer? Will you continue to use them in the same way? Share with us how you use your bronzer, contour and new ways that you plan to incorporate into your makeup routine.