Face Contouring: Getting a Nose Job without Surgery!

Hi y'all!

How are you doing? I hope you're having a good day so far. This is a way-overdue post and my shameless self decided to spit it into multi-parts just because it's more convenient that way :] I'm a fan of face contouring as it does make a big difference on how my face looks. Many moons ago when I just started wearing makeup, one fine day I decided to have some fun and put some makeup on. Then I realized I had a lot of time on my hand and contoured my face. After that, my camwhore self took over and I snapped some pictures away and put it online. A friend of mine saw it and asked me if I "had any work done!" That was a moment that I would never forget because I realized I finally get the contouring technique down!

Perhaps face contouring and highlighting are the oldes makeup skills in the book. In fact, Chinese opera actors have been using this technique for centuries.

Image from Photobucket

The contouring technique has changed dramatically from the early days when people actually looked like the above's picture. Now, it is much softer and natural-looking. When contouring your face, you are walking a fine line between looking ridiculous and chiseled. Just think the difference between a drag queen on Mardi Gras and Tyra Banks and you'll get the idea.

The first part of the face contouring series is all about the nose. For those who are blessed with a high bridge nose, you can skip this post and read something else more interesting. However, for the rest of us, a little bit of dark powder can really change how you look and since we're near Thanksgiving, I just think it'd be nice to share some tricks with you.

What you need:

• a medium-size brush: if it's the size of a small strawberry, it's good enough to use;
• some dark powder: MAC has their sculpt and shape powder which is quite nice. However, if you have a foundation that's one or two shades darker, you can use that.

I started with a fresh face, only foundation was applied

Then I apply some blushes to the apple of my cheeks
I find it easier to locate the contours of my face this way

Using the contouring brush, apply the powder as above:
From the inner corner to the eye to the side of the brush (both sides), and the tip of the nose.

Darkening those areas do two things: make your nose look slimmer and make it look taller. If you still don't believe me, take a look at this picture:

The nose looks different, see!

If you really want to go the distance, you can apply some highlighting powder on the bridge of your nose. It will make your nose look a lot taller as if you just had a nose job. This is a powerful technique that I think everybody should know. The first time I did it, I could not stop staring at my reflection in the mirror. My nose and the rest of my face looked completely different.

Since I took a whole lot of pictures, it's much easier for me to break it into different parts. So stay tuned for the rest of them as I'm going to post them up soon!

Enjoy your day,
Your Makeup Blogger

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