Contouring-but-not-quite, is how we would describe the current trend for soft contouring. Instead of statement sculpting à la Kim K, this is about a more gentle suggestion of shadow, in the manner of a ’90s Kate Moss. It’s not just about using less product (d’oh!) you can achieve it in a number of ways: by overlapping contour colour with your blusher, using a softer shade that’s similar to your natural skin tone (perhaps one or two shades darker than your foundation).
Or focusing just underneath the top half of your cheekbones (as opposed to following the ‘hollow’ all the way down). This is idea for contouring newbies, who’re scared of make up looking ‘striped’, or for those who see regular contouring as a bit too ‘out there’ for them.
The best way to get a spot-on soft contour? Use a palette to customise your perfect shade – {Anastasia Beverly Hills} {Pro Series Contour Cream Kit} has six shades you can mix-and match, and comes in three different colour variants, depending on your skin tone.
When it comes to applying it, rather than a densely packed contour brush, opt for something rounder for a soft-focus finish. We love {Zoeva’s Cream Cheek Brush} which is specially shaped to hug the contours of your face, and diffuses and blends product seamlessly.
And for the perfect finishing touch – all you need is a dusting of highlighter to really make those cheekbones pop. You can’t go wrong with {Kevyn Aucoin’s The Celestial Powder} in ‘Candlelight’ blended over the top of the cheekbones to imbue skin with a timeless shimmer.
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