How to Contour Your Décolletage
Are you a Kim or a Kylie?


The contouring trend has gone south for summer—and by south, we mean your décolletage. Just as you use the sculpting makeup technique to make your cheekbones pop, you can add dimension to your clavicle and chest for a touch of sultriness. All you need is a bronzed base makeup and highlighter. But heed our warning, you have to be very careful not to tread into super-unnatural territory. See below:
While Kim Kardashian's décolletage contouring is soft, glow-y, and finely-drawn, Kyle Jenner's is decidedly fake-looking with its two-tone hues, uneven application, and harsh lines that are begging to be blended.
To ensure your look reads more au naturale than fake bake, look to this pro technique from makeup artist Joseph Carrillo so you achieve the look all summer long.
Step 1: Contour
Before you get started, Carrillo recommends hydrating the skin with a moisturizing body lotion. After it's prepped, brush on your bronzed base makeup (we love Chanel Soleil Tan Bronzing Makeup Base (opens in new tab)) in a V-shape around your cleavage. Then, push your shoulders forward and brush lines underneath and above the collarbone.
Step 2: Highlight
Place the pearlescent highlighter (try Nars The Multiple Luxor in Copacabana (opens in new tab)) below the V-shaped contour line and on the collarbones.
Step 3: Blend
Blend the color and highlighter using a brush like the Artis Brush Oval 6 Brush (opens in new tab) ($48).
Step 4: Voilà!
While the results are intended to be subtle, you should see more depth on the contours of your chest and neck with a sun-kissed glow finish.
The Must-Haves
1. Chanel Soleil Tan Bronzing Makeup Base, $48; nordstrom.com (opens in new tab).
2. Nars The Multiple Luxor, $39; narscosmetics.com (opens in new tab).

Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
'On Rotation' Is Our July Book Club Pick
Read an excerpt from Shirlene Obuobi's debut novel, here, then dive in with us throughout the month.
By Marie Claire
-
How Melanie Travis Built Andie Into a Swimwear Giant
Plus, how brands are getting LGBTQ+ marketing all wrong. (Hint: stop rainbow-washing your brand each June.)
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Lizzo Embodies Disco-Ball Chic at the BET Awards
Legend.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 15 Best Blushes for Every Skin Tone and Season
Powders, liquids, and creams for every preference.
By Samantha Holender
-
What Is Brow Lamination? Eyebrow Experts Weigh In
Brow lamination = like a perm, but for your eyebrows.
By Samantha Holender
-
Hair Toner 101: Colorists Explain What Hair Toning Is and Why It Works
"Anyone with color treated hair should be using toners."
By Samantha Holender
-
The 33 Best Shampoos and Conditioners, According to Marie Claire Editors
Curly hair, fine hair, textured hair—we've got you covered.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
35 Lob Haircuts to Add to Your Mood Board in 2022
A tribute to the long bob, a.k.a. the cut that works on everyone.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 12 Best Skin Extractor Tools in 2022
Blackheads, be gone.
By Samantha Holender
-
19 Safe At-Home Keratin Treatments for Frizz-Free Hair
Shiny, silky, satiny.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 13 Best Whitening Toothpastes That Work
Say goodbye to yellow stains.
By Tatjana Freund