CONTOUR VS BRONZER: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE
When it comes to make up, creating a chiselled, sculpted look has dominated tutorials and trends for the last decade. We’ve all heard of contour and we’ve all heard of bronzers but while both can be used to create a sun-kissed sign off, they’re actually very different in terms of placement, texture and finish.
But what is the different between contour vs bronzer? How do you actually use them? To end the contour vs bronzer debate we’re going to get our fluffy brushes ready and learn exactly where you need to apply both for a multi-dimensional make up look that enhances your natural face shape.
In This Article:
- What's The Difference Between Bronzer And Contour
- What Is Contouring
- How Do You Contour
- What Is Bronzer
- How To Use Bronzer
- Bronzer Vs Contour FAQs
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRONZER AND CONTOUR
The difference between contour vs bronzer is actually pretty simple. One adds warmth, while the other is used for definition. Essentially, the best bronzers mimic where the sun would naturally hit your face while a contour is used to sculp and add shadow. There is also a difference between finishes when considering contour vs bronzer. Bronzers often come in matte and radiant textures while contours are usually only found to be in matte and cooler tones.
WHAT IS CONTOURING
Now we understand the difference between contour vs bronzer, let’s get into the specifics of contouring. Used with a highlighter (to add depth and contrast), contouring serves to shape and sculpt your face. Mimicking the shadows that occur naturally on your complexion, contouring creates the illusion of a more sculpted visage. You can have fun with contour by exaggerating and chiselling your face or use it sparingly to simply elevate your natural bone structure. A good way to understand what contouring can do is by looking at make up tutorials where MUAs change themselves into celebrities simply by understanding where to add and remove dimension to create a different face shape.
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HOW DO YOU CONTOUR
Always start with contour before your bronzer.
2.Be precise with placement. Start with contouring just above the hollow of your cheeks, on your jawline, down the side of your nose and at the top of your forehead. Everyone’s face shape is different so think about where your face has natural shadows and apply your contour there.
3.Blend, Blend, Blend. The magic of contour is the fact that it has to look undetectable. No harsh lines are essential as it’s all about creating a believable, natural-looking shade.
4.If you want to accentuate more of your face shape. To create a more upturned nose, use your contour along the sides of the bridge of your nose and curve the lines inward at the tip to round it out. Then, apply a small amount of contour just below the tip to create a subtle shadow that creates a more buttoned nose. To contour your lips read our blog on how to achieve this here. And if you want lifted eyes? Softly apply contour slightly above your eyes’ natural crease and blend outward toward the tail of your brow.
WHAT IS BRONZER
Bronzers are make up products that are specifically designed to add warmth and a sun-kissed radiance to your complexion. Available in an array of formulas and finishes, bronzers are typically applied to where the sun would naturally hit your face to give you that ‘just-got-back-from-a-holiday' luminosity.
HOW TO USE BRONZER
1.Pick a bronzer that is one/two shades darker than your natural skin tone.For liht skin tones we recommend light taupe, beige and light, golden brown. For medium skin tones we suggest gold and caramel hues and for dark skin tones bronzers that are chocolate, deep and have a red undertone.
2.Consider where the high points of your face are. Apply your bronzer there lightly. The high points of your face are closer to the sun and therefore more likely to be touched by its rays. These areas tend to be the temples of your forehead, tops of your cheekbones, chin and nose.
3.Be careful with how much bronzer you use. Bronzing should be subtle and soft working in harmony with the rest of your complexion, so use your bronzer sparingly at first and build up to your desired glow levels. Most bronzers are formulated to be buildable to its best to use a light hand first then go in with more.
4.Diffuse your bronzer for a natural finish. Use a large fluffy brush to apply your bronzer then use a make up sponge to diffuse the product into the skin and concentrate on the hairline to make it more seamless.
BRONZER VS CONTOUR FAQs
Do you contour on the cheekbone or under?
Whether you contour on the cheekbone or under it depends on your desired look and finish. Contouring directly under the cheekbones make them appear more defined/ sculpted and is ideal for when you want a more dramatic look. However, if you contour just below the apples of your cheeks, directly on your cheekbone, this is a more subtle technique which will enhance your natural bone structure.
What is the difference between bronzer, contour and highlighter?
Bronzer, contour and highlighter are all different complexion make up products that serve different purposes. Bronzer adds warmth and glow to the skin. Contour defines and shapes. Highlighter adds a radiant, glowing effect that draws attention to the high points of the face. All three work in tandem with each other to help enhance your features by playing on the light and shadows of your face.
What type of contour is best for beginners?
The best contour for beginners is a cream contour. This is because cream contours are softer and easier to blend. Ensuring that they sink into skin, this type of contour won’t leave a harsh line on your complexion instead blending for a natural sign off that is a must for a well applied contour.
Now that the age-old debate of contour vs bronzer has been settled and the technique explained, you too can master both and create a beautifully balanced complexion in no time... All you need is practice, patience and a large fluffy make up brush.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
