How To

How To: Contour Very Pale Skin

Contouring can intimidate even the most practised make up mavens, and for those of us who look like Snow White in real life, the thought of putting muddy coloured powder on our alabaster faces seems a recipe for absolute disaster. Not so, fellow fair-faced laydeez… follow these foolproof tips to sculpting like a pale-skinned Kim Kardashian.

Contour shades needn’t be dark – just choose a cream or powder base that’s 3 – 4 shades deeper than your usual foundation. Remember that powder blends better with powder, and cream with cream – so if you usually wear a liquid base, opt for {Anastasia Beverly Hills}’ latest incarnations of the best-loved {Pro Series Contour Cream Kit}.

Newly available in ‘Fair’ (as well as a cooler-toned version of ‘Light’), both star six velveteen creams to exaggerate cheekbones without looking grubby (or orange). Easy to apply, the colours blend together seamlessly with fingers, {Beautyblender} or Morphe’s {6 Piece Deluxe Contour Set} if you’re feeling particularly artistic…

Don’t be too timid – but also, resist being too heavy handed. It’s easier to build up than to ‘un-do’, so apply light layers, blending as you go until the shadows look believable.

And don’t forget that nothing is un-fixable. If you’ve overdone it, use a foundation or powder brush to buff your default base over harsh edges. {Translucent Powder} also works a charm; softening lines and lending a beautiful, soft focus finish.

Finish with a gold-flecked illuminator if you’re warm toned, silver if you’re cool – read our tips to highlighting right.

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Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...