When it comes to contouring (we like calling it “sculpting”), there’s a fine line between looking like you have the perfect bone structure and a bronzer-caked mess. To sculpt your face the best way possible start with one simple, yet tricky factor: choosing the right color. Sure, technique is just as important but getting the perfect shade that makes your face have natural hallows is key.
Your skin color determines all of this and there is no one universal color that will look good on everybody’s skin tone and undertones. Here are our recommendations for every skin color.
Pale Skin. This skin tone is particularly more difficult to find a good contour color because everything shows up vividly due to the light color. The color that will suit this skin color the most is a taupe brown color. Taupe is a cool color, just like the undertones that usually accompany it so to obtain a natural contour a good taupe brown is necessary. Using a product that is warm or too orange will, in turn, look to obvious and unnatural. Try NYX’s Blush in Taupe, $5.
Medium Skin. This skin color is the easiest and best color when it comes to finding a product. It’s naturally warm like most contouring products so there’s more to choose from and readily available at any price range. For your warm undertone skin, try Benefit’s Hoola, $28.
Dark Skin. For darker skins, it’s important to find a color that’s 2 shades deeper than your own (general rule for all skin colors). It can get tricky here because depending on how deep your complexion is and the undertones, it can vary. Orange undertones work great but only for the lightest undertones within the dark colors and the deeper ones will need something a bit redder to warm up the skin. Try Sleek’s Make-up Face Contour Kit (in various shades), $13.99.
A few things to keep in mind is that contour and bronzer are two entirely different things. Bronzer is made to give you a golden glow and contour to sculpt your face. Make sure that whatever contour product you use must be matte. Otherwise it’s a bronzer and not a sculptor.
Use this as a guide if you’re on the hunt for your first sculpting product or if you need to find the right color.
