Cheeky contours

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Playing with skin tones seems to be the buzzword in the beauty industry globally as single pots of shell, taupe, brown, beige and blushes are making a comeback.

Benedetta Burchiellaro International trend consultant and make-up artist, Colorbar Cosmetics, which has presence in Bengaluru, gives a low-down on how to achieve this look.

La Contour
Depth, contour, and even form and shape are illusions make-up artists love to create. This catwalk look is now being played with by women from all walks of life. So if you ever wondered, how the celebs managed Marilyn’s razor sharp cheek bones or Angelina’s devilish jawline, then this little behind-the-scene secret is just a few brush strokes away.
Remember the thumb rule: Dark colours hide (depth/shadow), light colours highlight (emphasize) A blend of light and dark will create dimension and sculpt your face.
To sculpt, use dark shades just below the apples, jawline, sides of the nose, eye sockets (upper lid fold), temples and hairline, lips and below the chin.
To highlight, use light shades on the T-zone (forehead, bridge of your nose, chin tip, bow of your lips), right above your cheeks, eyes-inner corner and the browbone.
Hint: Depending on your face and features, sculpt and highlight to widen or enhance.
Two distinct trends that are haute today are—a simple minimalistic look and second, a radical, sharp rebellious look. The nudes and pastels are sensual and simplistic. And face contouring gets radicalised with bold bronzes and blushes. Minimalistic effect when combined with a defiant structure is this season’s signature look. The Indian mocha-licious skin tone is finding fresh expression in both.

Prepping up the face
Start by applying primer to your face and neck. Follow it up with a foundation and compact for that flawless canvas look.
Nudes and pastels: Using a peach bronze and a contouring brush, apply colour on the apples to mimic the sun-kissed effect. Or try a mineral infused blush which adds natural warmth to the cheeks. Follow it up with a matte bronzing powder to add contour. For bronzer, make a fish face, and brush upwards parallel to the jaw.

Red-carpet glow: Apply bronzer on the sides of your nose, below your cheekbones, and along the jawline to define your features, and blend it well. Give your eyes a lift with a thin stripe of highlighter pen over the cheekbones to make them sharper and a stroke beneath the brow bone.
Work from your face shape, skin tone for that perfect look. Practice, blend well and remember to say ‘cheese’.