Contouring and Highlighting
Define and Illuminate
Contouring: using darker tones to make parts of your face appear recessed by making a shadow with makeup. It differs from bronzing because bronzer is supposed to hit your face in areas that the sun would normally hit and we usually contour under these places. Bronzer is warm-toned in color where a good contour powder or cream has cool undertones. Some are labeled "contouring" but are too bright and orangey so try to pick something in the taupe family (and yes, sometimes I use eyeshadow)
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Highlighting: using lighter tones to make parts of your face plump up or reflect light. Using concealer or stick foundation works well for a natural highlight. I also like to add a luminous or shimmer powder on my cheeks and up under my eye out toward my temple.
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Strobing: Strobing just means you are only using a shimmer powder to highlight. It is very subtle but pretty too.
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Face Contour Maps: I am including some pictures of face contour maps. The idea is to use darker makeup (powder, foundation stick, dark concealer, or foundation) on parts of your face that you would want to appear smaller or recessed (just like we use in the eye crease). The lighter color will draw light to those areas where it is applied.
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Note: This is a trial and error process and you do not need to do your entire face! You can see my "everyday" minimalist approach to this with my seven minute face. Sometimes I go more extreme. It all depends on various factors (formal event vs. grocery store, day vs. night, etc...). Try it, take a selfie in various lighting and then adjust your process as needed.
