How to Contour Your Décolletage

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:

Getty Images

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

Kathryn Wirsing

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) in a V-shape around your cleavage. Then, push your shoulders forward and brush lines underneath and above the collarbone.

Step 2: Highlight

Kathryn Wirsing

Place the pearlescent highlighter (try Nars The Multiple Luxor in Copacabana) below the V-shaped contour line and on the collarbones.

Step 3: Blend

Kathryn Wirsing

Blend the color and highlighter using a brush like the Artis Brush Oval 6 Brush ($48).

Step 4: Voilà!

Kathryn Wirsing

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.

2. Nars The Multiple Luxor, $39; narscosmetics.com.