How to Contour: A Beginners' Guide

Step 1: Carve It Out

To make your cheekbones really pop, swipe a line of contour powder (we like Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder) from your ear to the apple of your cheek using an angled contour brush, like the Sephora Collection Classic Double Ended Brush.

Make sure to keep the contour directly on the bottom edge of your cheekbone, so much so that your brush should be straddling your cheekbone as you apply it.

Step 2: Define the Jaw

Reload your brush with powder, tap off the excess, and blend along the edge of your jawline, swirling in concentric circles from the base of your jaw all the way to your chin.

Step 3: Blend It Down

A natural-looking contour requires hardcore blending, which means you can't just leave your jaw rimmed with brown powder. Instead, swirl the bronzer beneath your chin and extend it down your neck—yes, your neck—too.

Step 4: Define the Hairline

Yes, even the edges of your forehead can use some contour love. Get some more powder, tap off the excess, and swirl it along your forehead and over your temples, staying close to your hairline.

Step 5: Chisel the Nose

Using a small blending brush, like the Wet n Wild Crease Brush, trace a line down each side of your nose, lightly blending down to the tip of your nose, then back up until you almost hit the edges of your brows.

Step 6: Add the Blush

The quickest way to ruin your contour is by foregoing blush. A rosy cheek makes the whole look seem natural and soft. So with a blush brush (like Real Techniques Blush Brush), swirl a silky blush (our favorite: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush) over the apples of your cheeks, blending in small circles up to your temples.

Then, grab your phone, take a selfie, and brag about your newfound bone structure to anyone who will listen.