A beginner’s guide to contouring on mature skin

Think contouring is complicated? Think again. Our beginner's guide to contouring shows that applying makeup for older women can be achieved in just a few simple steps. If you dream of beautiful cheekbones but aren't sure how to show off your bone structure to the best of your ability, contouring is the answer.

Contouring involves the use of highlighter and bronzer for mature skin to define, enhance and sculpt the structure of the face. The idea is to create highlights and shadows with makeup for extra definition around the cheekbones, jawline, nose and forehead. You may have heard of contouring, but dismissed it as a technique for makeup professionals. However, it might come as a surprise to learn that it couldn't be easier, and it's a fun make up technique to try as your makeup transitions into the autumn season.

Best makeup for contouring shortlist:

• Best contour: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer - Buy now on Amazon
• Best highlighter and concealer duo: ICONIC London Radiant Concealer and Brightening Duo - Buy now on Look Fantastic
• Best highlighter: Laura Mercier Face Illuminator - Buy now on John Lewis
• Best highlight and contour duo: NYX Professional Makeup Wonderstick - Buy now on Amazon

First, prepare your skin with the best primer for mature skin, followed by your favourite foundation and setting powder. Then, apply a contour to the hollows of your cheeks, and a highlight to the lightest parts of your face to create some definition. Blend it all out, and voilà - It really is that simple.

So, if you're looking for a beginner's guide to contouring, read on. In the meantime, we've put together some of our favourite products to help you achieve the look, including the best concealers for mature skin. Here are our favourite products to use when it comes to contouring your face.

The best contours

The best highlighters

The best highlight and contour duos

FAQs

How to: A step by step guide on contouring

1) Prep

Before applying your base, you'll want to apply a primer over all of the areas of the face. to allow your makeup to stay on for longer. Not only does a primer give your skin a youthful glow, it also creates a barrier for the foundation. As a result, your foundation applies much more smoothly.

After that, it's time to apply your foundation. Or, if you're going for a more casual look, the best BB cream or the best CC cream. You might also want to set your base with a light dusting of powder and some setting spray, so that your makeup stays in place throughout the day.

2) Contour

When it comes to choosing a contour shade, you may want to determine whether you have a cool undertone or a warm undertone first. A contour should be at least two or three shades darker than your foundation, and match your skin's undertone.

Just like finding your correct lipstick shade, using a shade too cool or too warm for your skin won't look cohesive. However, this may change through the seasons as you experiment with warmer and cooler tones. Changing your make-up through autumn, winter, spring and summer allows you to keep your makeup fresh.

When it comes to the application, follow the natural curve of your cheekbone, sweeping the product from the hollows of your cheeks to the top of your ear. Also apply to the underside of the jawline, around the hairline and temples, as well as the sides of your nose. When you're happy with the desired effect, blend this in.

3) Highlight

Finally, highlight the highest points of your face. You can do this by using concealer a few shades lighter than your foundation. Apply underneath your eyes, on the bridge of your nose and on top of your cheekbone. Depending on your choice, you may also want to use a cream stick highlighter or a highlighting powder.

Using an angled brush or your fingers, apply the highlighter on top of your cheekbone in a diagonal motion outwards towards your temples. The tip or bridge of the nose, corners of the eyes, browbone, and cupid's bow are also popular places to highlight.

Apply your blush as normal on the apples of your cheeks. You can even use a peach or pink shimmer highlighter here to give you a radiant glow. Blend all of the applied highlighter for a natural look. After one more spray of setting spray, you're ready to go!

How to: Highlight and contour on mature skin

Here's a video tutorial we found useful by experienced makeup artist, BrittanyBearMakeup on YouTube. Watch this beginner's guide to contouring below: